JN Music Documentaries
by catrooms | created - 03 Jun 2017 | updated - 28 Apr 2019 | Public- Instant Watch Options
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1. Stop Making Sense (1984)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Music
Considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time, the live performance was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theater in December of 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
Director: Jonathan Demme | Stars: David Byrne, Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steven Scales
Votes: 19,985 | Gross: $5.02M
2. When You're Strange (2009)
R | 86 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the late '60s and early '70s rock band The Doors, including rare exclusive footage.
Director: Tom DiCillo | Stars: Johnny Depp, John Densmore, Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek
Votes: 10,274 | Gross: $0.24M
3. The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble (2015)
PG-13 | 96 min | Documentary, Music
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma and other international artists of The Silk Road Project discuss their philosophies on music and culture.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Yo-Yo Ma, Kinan Azmeh, Kayhan Kalhor, Cristina Pato
Votes: 743 | Gross: $1.16M
4. Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)
PG | 108 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about the Funk Brothers, a group of Detroit musicians who backed up dozens of Motown artists.
Director: Paul Justman | Stars: Joe Hunter, Jack Ashford, Uriel Jones, Richard 'Pistol' Allen
Votes: 3,845 | Gross: $1.60M
5. Festival Express (2003)
R | 90 min | Documentary, History, Music
The filmed account of a large Canadian rock festival train tour boasting major acts like Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead and The Band.
Directors: Bob Smeaton, Frank Cvitanovich | Stars: Janis Joplin, Grateful Dead, The Band, Rick Danko
Votes: 2,415 | Gross: $1.17M
6. Shut Up & Sing (2006)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) in the wake of singer Natalie Maines' anti-George W. Bush statement at a 2003 concert.
Directors: Barbara Kopple, Cecilia Peck | Stars: Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, Clayton Allen
Votes: 4,988 | Gross: $1.22M
7. Good Ol' Freda (2013)
PG | 86 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary in which Freda Kelly looks back at her career as lifelong secretary for The Beatles.
Director: Ryan White | Stars: Freda Kelly, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison
Votes: 2,114 | Gross: $0.14M
8. 1991: The Year Punk Broke (1992)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, History, Music
David Markey's documentary of life on the road with Sonic Youth and Nirvana during their tour of Europe in late 1991. Also featuring live performances by Dinosaur Jr, Babes In Toyland, The Ramones and Gumball.
Director: David Markey | Stars: Sonic Youth, Kim Gordon, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Shelley
Votes: 1,579
9. Muscle Shoals (2013)
PG | 111 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A documentary that celebrates Rick Hall, the founder of FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, and the signature sound he developed in songs such as "I'll Take You There", "Brown Sugar", and "When a Man Loves a Woman".
Director: Greg 'Freddy' Camalier | Stars: Rick Hall, Aretha Franklin, Keith Richards, Candi Staton
Votes: 4,291 | Gross: $0.70M
10. Oil City Confidential (2009)
104 min | Documentary, Music
The story of Dr Feelgood, four men in cheap suits who crashed out of Canvey Island in the early '70s, sandpapered the face of rock'n'roll, leaving all that came before a burnt-out ruin - ... See full summary »
Director: Julien Temple | Stars: Lee Brilleaux, Wilko Johnson, John Martin, John B. Sparkes
Votes: 635
11. Twenty Feet from Stardom (2013)
PG-13 | 91 min | Documentary, Biography, History
Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Director: Morgan Neville | Stars: Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill
Votes: 13,951 | Gross: $4.95M
12. The End of the Tour (2015)
R | 106 min | Biography, Drama
The story of the five-day interview between Rolling Stone reporter David Lipsky and acclaimed novelist David Foster Wallace, which took place right after the 1996 publication of Wallace's groundbreaking epic novel, 'Infinite Jest.'
Director: James Ponsoldt | Stars: Jason Segel, Jesse Eisenberg, Anna Chlumsky, Mamie Gummer
Votes: 32,571 | Gross: $2.99M
13. Rock n Roll Nerd (2008)
89 min | Documentary, Biography, Comedy
Documentary that charts the rise of Tim Minchin - comedian, actor, composer, songwriter, pianist, musical director and rock 'n' roll mega-star.
Director: Rhian Skirving | Star: Tim Minchin
Votes: 366
14. End of the Century: The Story of the Ramones (2003)
TV-14 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
The story of the punk rock band The Ramones.
Directors: Jim Fields, Michael Gramaglia | Stars: Rick Rubin, Tommy Ramone, Dee Dee Ramone, Johnny Ramone
Votes: 3,888 | Gross: $0.39M
15. The Wrecking Crew! (2008)
PG | 101 min | Documentary, History, Music
A celebration of the musical work of a group of session musicians known as "The Wrecking Crew", a band that provided back-up instrumentals to such legendary recording artists as Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys and Bing Crosby.
Director: Denny Tedesco | Stars: Brian Wilson, Dick Clark, Cher, Herb Alpert
Votes: 3,675 | Gross: $0.80M
16. Meeting People Is Easy (1998)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary, Music
An entertaining "rockumentary" about Radiohead that shows some of the tedium of being a rock star, as well as some of the fun stuff.
Director: Grant Gee | Stars: Radiohead, Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood, Ed O'Brien
Votes: 3,296 | Gross: $0.05M
17. I Am Trying to Break Your Heart (2002)
Unrated | 92 min | Documentary, Music
First-time filmmaker and award-winning photographer Sam Jones documents the recording of Wilco's album, "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."
Director: Sam Jones | Stars: Jeff Tweedy, John Stirratt, Leroy Bach, Glenn Kotche
Votes: 2,212 | Gross: $0.45M
18. Beware of Mr. Baker (2012)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Ginger Baker looks back on his musical career with Cream and Blind Faith; his introduction to Fela Kuti; his self-destructive patterns and losses of fortune; and his current life inside a fortified South African compound.
Director: Jay Bulger | Stars: Ginger Baker, Femi Kuti, Eric Clapton, Stewart Copeland
Votes: 3,616 | Gross: $0.11M
19. 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
20. Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary following singer Madonna on her controversial Blond Ambition tour in 1990.
Director: Alek Keshishian | Stars: Madonna, Donna DeLory, Niki Haris, Luis Camacho
Votes: 10,032 | Gross: $15.01M
21. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
G | 105 min | Documentary, Music
Aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
Director: Wim Wenders | Stars: Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Octavio Calderon
Votes: 20,519 | Gross: $7.00M
22. It Might Get Loud (2008)
PG | 98 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary on the electric guitar from the point of view of three significant rock musicians: The Edge, Jimmy Page, and Jack White.
Director: Davis Guggenheim | Stars: Jimmy Page, The Edge, Jack White, Dallas Schoo
Votes: 13,548 | Gross: $1.61M
23. Gimme Shelter (1970)
GP | 91 min | Documentary, Music, Thriller
When three hundred thousand members of the Love Generation collided with a few dozen Hells Angels at San Francisco's Altamont Speedway, the bloody slash that transformed a decade's dreams into disillusionment was immortalized on this film.
Directors: Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Mick Taylor, Charlie Watts
Votes: 12,881 | Gross: $0.25M
24. The Last Waltz (1978)
PG | 117 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A film account and presentation of the final concert of The Band.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Robbie Robertson, Muddy Waters, Neil Young, Van Morrison
Votes: 20,142 | Gross: $0.32M
25. The Devil and Daniel Johnston (2005)
PG-13 | 110 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Daniel Johnston, manic-depressive genius singer/songwriter/artist is revealed in this portrait of madness, creativity and love.
Director: Jeff Feuerzeig | Stars: Daniel Johnston, Mabel Johnston, Bill Johnston, Laurie Allen
Votes: 10,528 | Gross: $0.33M
26. One More Time with Feeling (2016)
PG | 113 min | Documentary, Music
Explores the creative process of Nick Cave and his band as the singer struggles with an unspoken personal tragedy.
Director: Andrew Dominik | Stars: Nick Cave, Warren Ellis, Jim Sclavunos, Susie Bick
Votes: 5,525
27. Gimme Danger (2016)
R | 108 min | Documentary, Music
An in-depth look at legendary punk band The Stooges.
Director: Jim Jarmusch | Stars: Iggy Pop, Jim Jarmusch, Bob Waller, The Stooges
Votes: 6,506 | Gross: $0.44M
28. Blood Brothers: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (1995 Video)
G | 90 min | Documentary, Music
The Grammy-nominated documentary Blood Brothers finds Bruce Springsteen reuniting The E Street Band for the first time in six years for his Greatest Hits album. Here, fans will see Springsteen and his band with rare, intimate detail.
Director: Ernie Fritz | Stars: Bruce Springsteen, Roy Bittan, Barbara Carr, Bob Clearmountain
Votes: 235
29. Wings for Wheels: The Making of 'Born to Run' (2005 Video)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary
Wings for Wheels: The Making of Born to Run chronicles the definitive story of Bruce Springsteens breakthrough album from songwriting to production and beyond. Includes archival film shot between 1973 and 1975 but never shown publicly.
Director: Thom Zimny | Star: Bruce Springsteen
Votes: 299
30. The Ties That Bind (2015)
Not Rated | 57 min | Documentary
The creation of Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band's 1980 double album "The River" is recalled in this new rock-doc that includes archival footage as well as recent interviews.
Director: Thom Zimny | Star: Bruce Springsteen
Votes: 310
31. Let It Be (1970)
G | 81 min | Documentary, Music
The filmed account of The Beatles' attempt to recapture their old group spirit by making a back to basics album, which instead drove them further apart.
Director: Michael Lindsay-Hogg | Stars: John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr
Votes: 6,575 | Gross: $1.06M
32. 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: 13,828 | Gross: $2.93M
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