Music documentaries offer a backstage pass into the lives of legendary musicians, the creation of iconic albums, and the cultural movements that shaped the industry. From rock ‘n’ roll legends to hip-hop icons and everything in between, these documentaries capture the essence of music in its many forms. These films not only chronicle the lives of iconic musicians but also illuminate the artistry, passion, and sometimes the chaos that lie behind the music we adore. Whether you’re a devoted music aficionado or simply someone who appreciates the universal language of melodies, these documentaries are bound to strike a chord with your heart and soul.
Woodstock (1970)
Few documentaries have captured a time and place more completely, poignantly, and for that matter, entertainingly than Michael Wadleigh’s Woodstock. In 1969, 500,000 people descended on a small patch of field in a little-known town in upstate New York called Woodstock. In this documentary, the iconic event is chronicled in unflinching detail — it contains performances, interviews with the artists and candid footage of the fans in a defining portrait of 1960s America. Had it not been for this movie, Woodstock would be vaguely remembered as a rock concert that produced some recordings.
The Last Waltz (1978)
After seventeen years of collaboration as the supporting ensemble for rockabilly icon Ronnie Hawkins, Canadian roots rock band, ‘The Band’, decided to bid adieu with a grandiose performance at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on November 25, 1976. This documentary, directed by Martin Scorsese, showcases remarkable onstage appearances by iconic rock figures like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, and Muddy Waters – and offers glimpses into their life on the road. Many rock fans consider this film to be a mandatory watch for any rock lover.
Gimme Shelter (1970)
The Rolling Stones, active for over six decades are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the rock era. In the early 1960s, the band pioneered the gritty, rhythmically driven sound that came to define hard rock. This documentary by Albert and David Maysles on their US tour recalls the events surrounding a free concert by the Rolling Stones at the Altamont Speedway outside San Francisco in 1969. Worried about the security, the Stones asked the Hell’s Angels to keep order for them, but the day ended tragically as violence broke out and a fan was killed.
Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin (2013)
Jimi Hendrix is one of the most important electric guitar players in history and is arguably the creator of the modern electric guitar sound. Despite being so influential, he had only four years of mainstream exposure and recognition, but his influential music and riveting stage presence left an enduring legacy. This documentary traces the guitarist’s short yet remarkable journey from his hardscrabble beginnings in Seattle to his discovery and ultimate international stardom.
Searching for Sugar Man (2012)
In the early 1970s, Sixto Rodriguez was a Detroit folksinger who had a short-lived recording career with only two well-received but non-selling albums. Unknown to Rodriguez, his musical story continued in South Africa where he became a pop music icon and inspiration for generations. Long rumoured there to be dead by suicide, a few fans in the 1990s decided to seek out the truth of their hero’s fate. This documentary follows that bizarrely heartening story in which they found far more in their quest than they ever hoped.
Amy (2015)
Amy Winehouse was an exceptional artist of the 20th century who had a voice for the ages. In her twenties, the singer’s career took off before she turned to alcohol and drugs, thus digging her own grave. At only 27 years old, the singer suffered alcohol poisoning, which cost her her life. This 2015 documentary by Asif Kapadia uses archival footage and personal testimonials to present an intimate portrait of the life and career of the British singer/songwriter. The film shows extensive unseen footage and unheard tracks Winehouse had recorded in the years before she died.
Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)
This documentary mixes performances, interviews and reenactments to celebrate the Funk Brothers, the 1960s soul hitmakers. As the musicians behind the Temptations, the Four Tops and others, the “brothers” were hugely successful, yet relatively anonymous compared to the famous singers they backed. Paul Justman’s documentary, based on a book by Allan Slutsky, gives belated praise to Motown’s house musicians, the men who played under all the Motown hits recorded in Detroit.
Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
This documentary by lauded German filmmaker Wim Wenders follows renowned guitarist Ry Cooder and his son, Joachim, as they travel to Cuba and assemble a group of the country’s finest yet forgotten musicians to record a Grammy-winning album. They named the group after the homonymous members’ club in the Buenavista quarter of Havana, a popular music venue in the 1940s. The movie interviews the artists and shows them recording in Havana and performing in Amsterdam and New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
Often heralded as a spokesman of Generation X, Kurt Cobain is highly recognized as one of the most influential alternative rock musicians. The lead singer/guitarist of the groundbreaking band Nirvana, he was known for his raw, emotive songwriting and his grunge look. Cobain’s life was cut tragically short when he committed suicide at the age of 27. This documentary by Brett Morgen is a true peek into the life of a private superstar. Morgen uses material from the Cobains’ personal archives in an in-depth examination of the Nirvana frontman’s childhood, music career and untimely death.
The Decline of Western Civilization (series: 1981, 1988, 1998)
This trilogy of documentaries provides us with a glimpse at the late 1970s LA punk-rock scene and how its music drove its culture. The documentary films by Penelope Spheeris focus on the evolution of the punk rock music genre as it changes from punk to heavy metal and then to gutter punk culture. Critics have praised the film for presenting a near-accurate biography of punk rock and rock stars. The Decline of Western Civilization is a valuable source of historical accounts of punk rock, and it depicts the negative influence of this music genre on the youth in the 1980s and 1990s in Los Angeles.
Marley (2012)
Considered one of the pioneers of reggae, Bob Marley’s influence upon various populations remains unparalleled, irrespective of race, colour or creed. His revolutionary yet unifying music, challenging colonialism, racism, and “fighting against ism and scism” as he sang in “One Drop,” has had profound effects even in countries where English isn’t widely spoken. This documentary gives an inside look at the life, family and legacy of Bob Marley, featuring rare footage and interviews with those close to him.
American Hardcore (2006)
In this documentary, Filmmaker Paul Rachman recalls the 1980s American punk-rock movement. The retrospective features interviews and performance footage with such bands as Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Bad Brains, Jerry’s Kids, Gang Green, Poison Idea, Flipper and SS Decontrol. Based on a screenplay by Steven Blush based on his book American Hardcore: A Tribal History, the film, which is filled with grainy archival clips of hardcore performances, is a toned-down cinematic equivalent of the music: fast and loud, but not too loud.
Homecoming: A film by Beyonce (2019)
There’s no doubt that Beyonce is one of the greatest performers of this generation. This documentary, written, directed and executive produced by none other than the Queen herself, is an intimate, in-depth look at her celebrated 2018 Coachella performance that reveals the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement. She was the first Black woman to headline the festival and her performance immediately received widespread critical acclaim.
Stop Making Sense (1984)
Director Jonathan Demme captures the frantic energy and artsy groove of Talking Heads in this concert movie shot at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in 1983. The band’s frontman, David Byrne, first appears on an empty stage, with only an acoustic guitar, the bassist Tina Weymouth, drummer Chris Frantz, keyboardist Jerry Harrison and a cadre of backup singers gradually join the stage as they perform the band’s hits, culminating in an iconic performance featuring Byrne in an enormous suit. Upon its release in 1984, Jonathan Demme’s Stop Making Sense was hailed by many critics as the “greatest concert film of all time.”
The Filth and the Fury (2000)
The Filth and the Fury is the second movie by Julien Temple about punk rock pioneers, The Sex Pistols. From their humble beginnings in London’s Shepherd’s Bush to their fall at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco – assembled from unseen archive footage, rare offcuts and masses of hilarious junk-culture detail from the pre-punk ’70s, this inspired collage is as much passionate social history as rockumentary. Intercutting a touching, never-before-seen Sid Vicious interview with contemporary quotes from the surviving Pistols — wittily filmed, like renegade villains, in silhouette — director Julien Temple exposes the band’s human side as never before.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017)
This documentary is an electric look at Native American influence in popular music, going deep into the Indigenous foundations of rock. RUMBLE traces the melodies, rhythms, and beats of traditional Native music as they took different forms across the spectrum of 20th-century American rock. Filmmaker Catherine Bainbridge exposes a critical missing chapter in the history of music, revealing how indigenous musicians helped influence popular culture.
Standing By (2015)
Standing By is a project dedicated to unveiling and preserving the rich history of independent music in India. Comprising six episodes and an extensive digital archiving initiative, this series delves deep into the captivating narratives and pivotal moments that played a crucial role in shaping the vibrant independent music scene we see today in the country. Each episode chronicles a certain era in the story of independent music in India, through interviews with musicians and journalists to event organisers and label heads – as well as never-seen-before footage and vintage images.
The Wrecking Crew (2008)
This documentary by director Denny Tedesco, the son of guitarist Tommy Tedesco pays tribute to his late father and a core group of studio musicians who played on some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and ’70s, including California Girls and Mrs. Robinson. The instrumental work by this group of session men (and one woman) defined the sound of popular music on radio during the 60s and early 70s, meaning The Wrecking Crew can reasonably lay claim to being the most-recorded band in history.
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)
In this revealing documentary, filmmakers follow the three rock stars as they hire a group therapist and grapple with 20 years of repressed anger and aggression. Between searching for a replacement bass player after bassist Jason Newsted quit the band in 2001, creating a new album and confronting their personal demons, the band learns to open up in ways they never thought possible. This documentary by directors Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger is a raw and unfiltered look at the heavy metal band Metallica during a period of internal turmoil.
One Heart: The A.R. Rahman Concert Film (2017)
Given how rich and influential India’s musical history is, it’s surprising that One Heart is the first Indian concert film. And it is about none other than the Oscar-winning music producer and the pride of the country, A.R. Rahman. The documentary takes us behind the scenes of his impressive concerts in America and Canada, where he sings his most popular songs. Besides that, there are also bits of Rahman talking about his stage fright, getting the band together, making music and dealing with fans.
Whitney (2018)
Nicknamed ‘the Voice’, Whitney Houston established a benchmark for superstardom that no one in the modern era will quite simply eclipse. She is a singer’s singer who has influenced countless other vocalists female and male. In this 2018 doc, filmmaker Kevin Macdonald examines the life and career of the singer. The film features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.
The Doors: When You’re Strange (2009)
In this documentary film, actor Johnny Depp narrates the story of one of America’s most influential rock bands, The Doors, and the group’s charismatic frontman, Jim Morrison. Using archival and backstage footage, some early home pictures of Morrison, and integrating a history of the band’s roots and rocky ride with then-current social upheavals, the film conveys all the chaos, change, and creativity that marked that turbulent era. Some of the narrative retells information that the band’s devotees have known for decades, like the origin of the name “The Doors”, a reference to Aldous Huxley’s 1954 book “The Doors Of Perception”.
Janis: Little Girl Blue (2015)
Many consider Janis Joplin the first queen of rock ‘n’ roll, and her voice is singular. She was rough around the edges, vulnerable and charismatic, and she paved the way for countless women in rock. Little Girl Blue, through archival footage and interviews, highlights the life and career of singer-songwriter Janis Joplin, from her musical rise in the 1960s to her battle with alcohol and heroin addiction.
20 Feet from Stardom (2013)
Filmmaker Morgan Neville shines a long-overdue spotlight on the hit-making contributions of longtime backup singers like Darlene Love and Merry Clayton. This generous, fascinating documentary about the careers of backup singers, most of them African-American women, seeks to rewrite the history of pop music by focusing attention on voices at once marginal and vital. Along the way, the movie asks questions about whether the music industry marginalizes talented women — and black women especially — using them for their “soul” and sex appeal but not letting them graduate to solo careers.
End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
The Ramones may be one of the most important punk bands in history, but as Jim Fields and Michael Gramaglia’s 2003 documentary reveals, they didn’t have many happy moments throughout their two-decade saga. End of the Century delves into all of the drama behind the scenes, including Dee Dee’s heroin addiction, Joey’s battle with OCD, Johnny marrying Joey’s ex-girlfriend Linda, and their inability to make peace even when Joey was dying of lymphoma.
