Music Documentaries
by Moucherot | created - 17 Oct 2011 | updated - 2 months ago | PublicI love documentaries about music. It's not important, if I like the music itself. I just like to see people touring, recording, telling interesting things about their career. If I like the music... even better :) Some films are not dedicated to a certain artist, but to the use of music, music connected to historical events or something like that. Some others are just plain concert-movies :)
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the list!
Here are some other documentaries I've seen, but I couldn't find in the imdb:
1. Celtic Frost - A Dying God; (Starts with their tour for "Monotheism", end with their break-up. Can be found on youtube;7/10)
2. Inside Björk; (I got this on DVD. Tells her career all the way to the album "Vespertine"; 7/10)
3. Pixies - Gouge; (Featured on a DVD I got; People like Bono, David Bowie, PJ Harvey and Thome Yorke share their thoughts; 3/4Pixies - sadly no Kim Deal - tell about their background; 8/10)
4. The artist formerly known as Captain Beefheart; Narrated by John Peel with great Interview-Partners (Members of the magic band and Frank Zappa). I wonder why this isn't on the imdb. (It can be found on youtube) 8/10
THIS LIST IS A WORK IN PROGRESS
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101. Ween Live in Chicago (2004 Video)
Not Rated | 120 min | Documentary, Music
Live in Chicago documents two nights of a show the group did in Chicago in support of their album Quebec. The DVD features a wide variety of Ween songs, covering nearly every Ween album and... See full summary »
Director: Zane Vella | Stars: Gene Ween, Dean Ween, Claude Coleman, Dave Dreiwitz
Votes: 131
The Band is hot and did a great job choosing stranger and party-heating material from their catalogue. It's filmed really well, so you can really feel the good vibes coming from the band and the audience. 9/10
102. We Jam Econo: The Story of the Minutemen (2005)
Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A feature-length documentary chronicling early 80's punk rock band the Minutemen, from their beginnings in San Pedro, California, to their demise after the death of singer D. Boon in 1985.
Director: Tim Irwin | Stars: Milo Aukerman, Joe Baiza, Kevin Barrett, Scott Becker
Votes: 1,063
10/10 - Great documentary with great live-footage and great interviews
103. What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015)
Not Rated | 101 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary about the life and legend Nina Simone, an American singer, pianist, and civil rights activist labeled the "High Priestess of Soul."
Director: Liz Garbus | Stars: Nina Simone, Lisa Simone Kelly, Roger Nupie, Al Schackman
Votes: 14,835
9/10 - Great film with lots of insight into her music, her engagement in the civil rights movement and her life. Maybe a bit too much focus on her private life, but only a little.
104. Where's the Beer and When Do We Get Paid? (2013)
86 min | Documentary, Music
Jimmy Carl Black, Texas Indian and drummer of Frank Zappas legendary band 'Mothers of Invention' in the sixties, nowadays lives in a little village in Bavaria, Germany. The filmmakers ... See full summary »
Directors: Wiltrud Baier, Sigrun Köhler | Stars: Jimmy Carl Black, Monika Black, Arthur Brown, Andy Cahan
Votes: 30
Interesting documentary about the latter days of Jimmy Carl Black, Drummer of Frank Zappa and the mothers of invention. The film doesn't focus on his work but more on his surroundings. His surroundings in a bavarian village and a tour with his band The Muffinmen are portrayed. Some interview-material with Arthur Brown and Mothers of Invention-Colleagues added, and you get an entertaining documentary with a little too little music for my taste. 7/10
105. White Stripes: Under Blackpool Lights (2004 Video)
Unrated | 81 min | Documentary, Music
Concert footage of The White Stripes recorded in January of 2004, featuring tracks from the bands four studio albums as well as live favorites like the Dolly Parton cover "Jolene".
Director: Dick Carruthers | Stars: The White Stripes, Jack White, Meg White
Votes: 888
Elephant-Era white stripes live on stage. 75 Minutes of raw, trashy blues-rock filmed with old cameras in a beautiful concert-hall. The film is really coherent with the asthetics of the band. 8,5/10
106. Woodstock (1970)
R | 184 min | Documentary, History, Music
Oscar-winning musical chronicle that brilliantly captures the three-day rock concert and celebration of peace and love that became a capstone for the Sixties.
Director: Michael Wadleigh | Stars: Joan Baez, Richie Havens, Roger Daltrey, Joe Cocker
Votes: 18,469 | Gross: $50.00M
Great Movie that really captures the spirit, as the makers of this film were propably just in the same mood as the whole audience. Fascinating footage of Jimi Hendrix, Sly and the family stone... It also shows some artists of the generation, that seem to be forgotten like Sha-Na-Na which were in my opinion pioneers of glam-rock 8/10
107. Year of the Horse (1997)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Music
This film documents Neil Young and Crazy Horse's 1996 concert tour. Jim Jarmusch interviews the band about their long history, and we see backstage footage from the 1970s and 1980s.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Stars: Neil Young, Jim Jarmusch, Ralph Molina, Frank 'Pancho' Sampedro
Votes: 1,970 | Gross: $0.19M
I really love the movies of Jim Jarmusch and I like the music of Neil Young, but somehow this movie bored me at times. Lots of live-footage mixed with snapshot-behind-the-scenes-footage and some archival-material didn't add to a whole thing. If you love the music of Neil Young still, this is your movie. 6,5/10
108. Young@Heart (2007)
PG | 107 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on a chorus of senior citizens from Massachusetts who cover songs by Jimi Hendrix, Coldplay, Sonic Youth, and other unexpected musicians.
Directors: Stephen Walker, Sally George | Stars: Joe Benoit, Helen Boston, Louise Canady, Elaine Fligman
Votes: 4,069 | Gross: $3.96M
Really touching. Didn't expect it to be so moving. I like the music in the film and the way events are shown. 9/10
109. You're Gonna Miss Me (2005)
91 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about rock pioneer Roky Erickson, detailing his rise as a psychedelic hero, his lengthy institutionalization, his descent into poverty and filth, and his brother's struggle with their religious mother to improve Roky's care.
Director: Keven McAlester | Stars: Byron Coley, Paul Drummond, 13th Floor Elevators, Don Erickson
Votes: 1,092 | Gross: $0.00M
6/10 - Unfortunately I think this movie has its focus too much on family-drama and therapy sessions, while the career and music of Mr. Erickson remains a bit blurry.
110. Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (1979)
PG | 90 min | Documentary, Music
The July 3rd, 1973 historic concert of the 'leper Messiah'. This was to be David Bowie's last concert with the Ziggy persona and the Spiders from Mars. A great medley of 'Wild Eyed Boy From... See full summary »
Director: D.A. Pennebaker | Stars: David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick Woodmansey
Votes: 2,993 | Gross: $0.16M
David Bowie seems to be from another world in this movie. If you look in his face you can see no connection with the other human beings surrounding him. Sometimes it could be shot a bit better and less rough. Still, because of the otherworldly and simply great performance i give it a 8/10
111. The Death and Resurrection Show (2013)
150 min | Documentary, Music
A music documentary exploring the turbulent, controversial and often unbelievable 30 year history of British post-punk industrial band Killing Joke.
Director: Shaun Pettigrew | Stars: Killing Joke, Jaz Coleman, Jimmy Page, Paul Vincent Raven
Votes: 282
Quite a weird one. The "esoteric and mystic" scenes were a bit too much for me and alienated me from the band. They also were so much, that it lost its weirdness-appeal and just became annoying. Still I love the band and the people are very funny in a weird way. 7/10
112. Finding Fela (2014)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A look at the life and music of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Fela Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti
Votes: 849
Great movie! I disliked the broadway-musical-footage though. The director and the other participants seemed a bit wanna-be in comparison with the friends, family-members and Fela-biographers interviewed. The original and archival footage is great though. 7/10
113. The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale (2016)
Unrated | 125 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary covering the 33 year journey of the highly influential rock band The Melvins.
Director: Bob Hannam | Stars: Jello Biafra, Chris Cornell, Dale Crover, Mike Dillard
Votes: 125
Hm, this will always be my favorite band, probably. The movie does this complicated band to portray, much justice. The interviews are funny and there's lots of interesting footage from all the different eras they went through. 9/10
114. Desert Age: A Rock and Roll Scene History (2016)
Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary
Desert Age: A Rock and Roll Scene history is a feature length documentary about the California desert rock and roll scene from the early 1980s and 1990s.
Directors: Jason Georgiades, Jason Pine | Stars: Robbi Robb, Dave Grohl, Josh Homme, Myke Bates
Votes: 164
9/10 - Very cool documentary that has an interesting focus on the time before Kyuss. That, the great archival footage and good interviews make it very special.
115. Slave to the Grind (2018)
100 min | Documentary, History, Music
Grindcore is the worlds fastest most aggressively intense music. Fusing the anarchistic and leftist attitudes of the UK Punk scene with the speed and drunken aggression of American Death ... See full summary »
Director: Doug Robert Brown | Stars: Beau Beasley, Justin Broadrick, Scott Carlson, Jon Chang
Votes: 363
9/10 - Very cool film with great live-footage, interviews and animations.
116. Last Days Here (2011)
Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary follows Bobby Liebling, lead singer of seminal hard rock/heavy metal band Pentagram, as he battles decades of hard drug addiction and personal demons to try and get his life back.
Directors: Don Argott, Demian Fenton | Stars: Bobby Liebling, Sean Pelletier, Diane Liebling, Joe Liebling
Votes: 2,053 | Gross: $0.01M
7/10 - It is sad and cool at the same time. Great music but sometimes it becomes a bit too much of a Soap-Opera for me.
117. Cosmic Psychos: Blokes You Can Trust (2013)
95 min | Music
For 30 years, the Cosmic Psychos have blazed a trail of empty beer cans and busted ear drums around the globe with their quintessential Australian drawl and pounding punk rock songs. With ... See full summary »
Director: Matt Weston | Stars: Raymond Ahn, Steve Albini, Mark Arm, Mario Borelli
Votes: 158
118. The Boys (2009)
PG | 101 min | Documentary
Their music is unforgettable. Their name is legend. Delve into the lives and cinematic legacy of the prolific songwriting duo whose music has been featured in classic movies such as Mary Poppins (1964) and The Jungle Book (1967).
Directors: Gregory V. Sherman, Jeff Sherman | Stars: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Roy Edward Disney, Julie Andrews
Votes: 1,312 | Gross: $0.05M
119. Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2018)
TV-14 | 105 min | Documentary, Music
It's a documentary about the life of eccentric comedian Frank Sidebottom who wore a huge papier-mache' head and whose true identity was a closely guarded secret until after he died. The ... See full summary »
Director: Steve Sullivan | Stars: Johnny Vegas, Ross Noble, John Cooper Clarke, Chris Sievey
Votes: 777
120. Elvis Presley: The Searcher (2018)
TV-PG | 205 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Elvis Presley's evolution as a musician and a man.
Director: Thom Zimny | Stars: Steve Allen, Ann-Margret, Chet Atkins, Chris Bearde
Votes: 2,696
121. Shut Up and Play the Piano (2018)
Not Rated | 82 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Chilly Gonzales is a Grammy-winning composer, virtuoso pianist and entertainer. Criss-crossing between rap, electro and solo piano music, he became the outrageous pop performer who invited ... See full summary »
Director: Philipp Jedicke | Stars: Chilly Gonzales, Peaches, Leslie Feist, Sibylle Berg
Votes: 301
122. Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (2012)
PG-13 | 113 min | Documentary, Music
Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a feature-length documentary film about the dismal commercial failure, subsequent massive critical acclaim, and enduring legacy of pop music's greatest cult phenomenon, Big Star.
Directors: Drew DeNicola, Olivia Mori | Stars: Billy Altman, Jon Auer, Lester Bangs, Chris Bell
Votes: 1,439 | Gross: $0.11M
123. Super Duper Alice Cooper (2014)
Unrated | 98 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Super Duper Alice Cooper is the twisted tale of a teenage Dr Jekyll whose rock n roll Mr Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, preacher's son, who struck fear into the ... See full summary »
Directors: Sam Dunn, Reg Harkema, Scot McFadyen | Stars: Doris Buchrucker, Alice Cooper, Sheryl Cooper, Jack Curtis
Votes: 1,289
124. Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie (2013)
97 min | Documentary
Billed as "rock and roll's greatest failure," musician John Otway offers a lesson in how to survive in showbiz.
Director: Steve Barker | Stars: John Otway, David Crabtree, Eleanor Man, Surani Perera
Votes: 584
125. The Beatles: Eight Days a Week - The Touring Years (2016)
Not Rated | 106 min | Documentary, History, Music
A compilation of found footage featuring music, interviews, and stories of The Beatles' 250 concerts from 1963 to 1966.
Director: Ron Howard | Stars: The Beatles, John Lennon, George Harrison, Paul McCartney
Votes: 13,841 | Gross: $2.93M
126. George Harrison: Living in the Material World (2011)
Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Filmmaker Martin Scorsese examines the life of musician George Harrison, weaving together interviews, concert footage, home movies and photographs.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: George Harrison, Harry Harrison, Peter Harrison, Paul McCartney
Votes: 12,630
127. The Beatles Anthology (1995–1996)
TV-14 | 67 min | Documentary, Music
An autobiographical documentary of the greatest of the rock bands.
Stars: Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, George Martin
Votes: 9,430
128. The Beatles: Get Back (2021)
PG-13 | 156 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
In January 1969, The Beatles set out to write and record new songs for their first live show in more than two years, culminating in an impromptu concert atop their Savile Row studio.
Votes: 28,117
129. Who Is Harry Nilsson (And Why Is Everybody Talkin' About Him?) (2010)
Not Rated | 116 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The life and work of the enigmatic folk rock singer-songwriter.
Director: John Scheinfeld | Stars: Gerry Beckley, Lee Blackman, Perry Botkin Jr., Ray Cooper
Votes: 1,871 | Gross: $0.03M
130. XTC: This Is Pop (2017)
TV-14 | 75 min | Documentary, Music
A brand new film on one of Britain's best-loved and most influential bands of modern times, XTC. Emerging from the late 1970s punk and new wave explosion, XTC amassed a devoted following ... See full summary »
Directors: Roger Penny, Charlie Thomas | Stars: Barry Andrews, Clem Burke, Terry Chambers, Stewart Copeland
Votes: 356
131. Better Than Something: Jay Reatard (2011)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
For Jimmy Lee Lindsay, life was a mosh pit. Whether it was growing up among crack addicts on the rough side of Memphis, or his years in the rough-and-tumble underground rock scene of the '... See full summary »
Directors: Alex Hammond, Ian Markiewicz | Stars: Jay Reatard, King Louie Bankston, Shawn Foree, Ryan Rousseau
Votes: 155
132. Clusterf**k: Woodstock '99 (2022)
TV-MA | 47 min | Documentary, History, Music
Woodstock 1969 promised peace and music, but its '99 revival delivered days of rage, riots and real harm. Why did it go so horribly wrong?
Stars: Ananda Lewis, Heather Eason Liposky, Colin Speir, John Scher
Votes: 21,491
133. Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan (2020)
124 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A look at the life of Irish singer/songwriter and Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan.
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Shane MacGowan, The Pogues, Siobhan MacGowan, Gerry Adams
Votes: 1,996
134. Basically, Johnny Moped (2013)
77 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A funny and often moving account of one of UK music's great lost treasures. Formed in 1974 by a group of school friends from Croydon, Johnny Moped were the band fronted by, and named after,... See full summary »
Director: Fred Burns | Stars: Tony Anderson, Roger Armstrong, Simon Bates, Dave Berk
Votes: 158
135. Everything - The Real Thing Story (2019)
94 min | Documentary, Music
Dubbed 'the black Beatles' by the British tabloids, the 'other' four lads from Liverpool recount their incredible story from the tough streets of Toxteth to the bright lights of New York.
Director: Simon Sheridan | Stars: Jacob Anderson, Eddie Amoo, Chris Amoo, Dave Smith
Votes: 191
136. If These Walls Could Sing (2022)
TV-14 | 86 min | Documentary, Biography
The untold story of the Abbey Road studio, all-star interviews, and intimate access to the premises.
Director: Mary McCartney | Stars: George Lucas, John Williams, Elton John, Ringo Starr
Votes: 1,029
137. The Godfathers of Hardcore (2017)
TV-MA | 95 min | Documentary, Music
Follows the two of the most respected men in underground music, Roger Miret and Vinnie Stigma of the band Agnostic Front.
Director: Ian McFarland | Stars: Roger Miret, Vinnie Stigma, Agnostic Front, Mike Gallo
Votes: 590
138. Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind (2019)
Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The iconic Canadian musician, Gordon Lightfoot, reflects on his life and career.
Directors: Martha Kehoe, Joan Tosoni | Stars: Gordon Lightfoot, Kim Lightfoot, Bernie Fiedler, Sylvia Tyson
Votes: 692
139. Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage (2010)
Not Rated | 107 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
An in-depth look at the Canadian rock band Rush, chronicling the band's musical evolution from their progressive rock sound of the '70s to their current heavy rock style.
Directors: Sam Dunn, Scot McFadyen | Stars: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, Neil Peart, Trent Reznor
Votes: 4,891
140. Der Wadenmesser (2005)
84 min | Documentary
This documentary explores the many facets of Mozart outside of his music
Director: Kurt Palm | Stars: Marwan Abado, Hans Bankl, Florian Boesch, DJ Dandaman
Votes: 39
141. Getting the Knack (2004 Video)
85 min | Documentary, Music
"Getting The Knack" chronicles the controversial career of power pop stars, The Knack. Viewers will witness a compelling tale of instant stardom and spectacular failure, a story marked by ... See full summary »
Director: Mark McLaughlin | Stars: Berton Averre, Cherie Currie, Doug Fieger, Bruce Gary
Votes: 35
142. Turbonegro - The ResErection (2003)
60 min | Documentary, Music
The Norwegian rock band Turbonegro was on the verge of international success when drugs and mental illness broke the band up in 1998. Four years later, the band reunites after becoming a cult phenomenon and prepares for their comeback.
Director: Trond Saettem | Stars: Christer Engen, Rune Grønn, Hans-Erik Dyvik Husby, Pål Pot Pamparius
Votes: 9
143. Dream Deceivers (1992)
Not Rated | 60 min | Documentary, Music
Two young men shoot themselves in a churchyard. Ray Belknap dies; James Vance - severely disfigured - survives. Their parents take heavy-metal icons Judas Priest to court, claiming the band... See full summary »
Director: David Van Taylor | Stars: K.K. Downing, Suellen Fulstone, Erich Granzen, Rob Halford
Votes: 350
144. The Greatest Night in Pop (2024)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Music
On January 25th 1985, dozens of the era's most popular musicians gathered in Los Angeles to record a charity single for African famine relief. Setting egos aside, they collaborated on a song that would make history.
Director: Bao Nguyen | Stars: Lionel Richie, Harriet Sternberg, Wendy Rees, Harry Belafonte
Votes: 11,218
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