70 More Music Films to Enjoy
When sharing my previous list of music documentaries, I realized I wrote it in June of 2023. I’ve seen a lot of music documentaries, biopics and music related films since. So, I went through my viewing history as well as the DVDs I’ve purchased and came up with this list of things I’ve seen since June of 2023. I tried to avoid duplicates, but because I will sometimes re-watch things, and these lists are long, I apologize if I missed one or two. I’ve also decided to make some notes on a few of these that I think are of particular worth. Hope you enjoy some of these as much as I did.
Louder Than You Think: A Lo-Fi History of Gary Young and Pavement
Welcome to the Darkness As a long-time fan of “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” and Justin Hawkins Rides Again on YouTube, I figured I would like this, but the guys in The Darkness are so incredibly funny and likable, you really connect with them and feel for them as they go through the ups and downs of their career, and then later, Justin’s vocal surgery.
This Town Rocked (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
There We Were, Now Here We Are - The Making of Oasis & Definitely Maybe
Boom: A Film About the Sonics A great film about a band that had some great songs that some people wouldn’t allow to be forgotten. Also, a great look at how things were in the 1960s.
Traces of Glory: The Musical Journey of Idaho
Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd Anyone who knows me knows I’m not the world’s biggest Pink Floyd fan, but I am a fan of Piper at the Gates of Dawn and I think Syd is one of the most mythologized and misunderstood people in rock history.
My Darling Vivian A film made by the Cash daughters themselves, they pay homage to their mother by being honest; about her, about their father and about how country music treated Vivian. This is the story of the intersection of a normal American family and the whirlwind of fame and addiction.
Ronnie Wood: Somebody Up There Likes Me
The Sparks Brothers
Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, A Journey, A Song Everyone thinks they understand this song, but even Leonard Cohen knew that this song had a life of its own. Even he changed it after hearing John Cale’s version, and that’s the version Jeff Buckley recorded. Everyone wanted Leonard Cohen to be theirs, and much like Bob Dylan, he refused to belong to anyone.
Lynyrd Skynyrd: If I Leave Here Tomorrow
Triumph: Rock and Roll Machine
Lost Angel: The Genius of Judee Sill
Randy Travis: More Life
The Day The Music Died Everyone knows the song, and very few can sing the whole thing. This is the story of Don MacLean and the song that was bigger than he was.
The Public Image is Rotten I am pretty sure this is a duplicate from the last list, but John Lydon is an interesting and complicated character. It was re-watching this film that led me to ask, “What is Martin Atkins up to now?” and looking him up online. Since then we visited him at his Post-Punk and Industrial Museum in Chicago and he’s given me some incredible professional advice. The film was worth a re-watch and sometimes you never know where things will lead you.
Nothing Compares (Sinead O’Connor)
This is Sparklehorse
Spector I had been to the House of Blues on Sunset Strip (R.I.P.) within a day or two of the night Lana Clarkson made the mistake of going home with Phil Spector. Thinking back about it, even though I wasn’t actually there, weirds me out a little. He obviously was a genius, but he was obviously an evil genius. Incredible story all the way around.
Without Getting Killed or Caught Guy Clark is an under-appreciated songwriter. He was a great example of having some level of success while caring only about the art, that’s a rarity. His story and the intersection of his wife, Susanna, Townes Van Zandt, Rodney Crowell and others was an important part of American music.
The Smart Studios Story
Charley Pride: I’m Just Me
I Saw the Light
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Meet Me in the Bathroom (Early 2000s NYC)
Personality Crisis: A Night With David Johanson
Out of Time: The Material Issue Story I got to see Material Issue in 1995 at the first X-Fest, at what was then known as Deer Creek Music Center. I wish Jim could’ve held on. What a powerful guitar pop band they were.
The Elephant 6 Recording Company
Mutiny in Heaven: The Birthday Party
Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis Not about music per se, but about the guys who designed so many iconic album covers, including all the big Pink Floyd covers and Led Zeppelin covers.
The Dream Syndicate: How Did We Find Ourselves Here Another insanely under-appreciated band out of Los Angeles in the 1980s who were a part of the Paisley Underground scene.
Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere
Van Duren: Waiting - The Van Duren Story Too many stories like Van Duren’s and his friends in Memphis, Big Star’s. Record label incompetence, getting lost in the mess of being an artist and not a pop icon. Thanks to these cats who made the film to keep his music alive in the 21st century.
Peter Case: A Million Miles Away
Joe Cocker - Mad Dog With Soul
Rave On - The Story of Buddy Holly
Here’s to Life: The Story of the Refreshments Just a bunch of likable guys who wrote some catchy guitar pop songs in the 90s and got forgotten by most after their one, semi-big hit… yes, the world is full of stupid people.
Urgh! A Music War
The Velvet Underground This is an art film 100%, but it is a great look behind the curtain of one of the most influential rock bands of all-time. They were in the mid-60’s but they feel like they came from outer space. Moe Tucker even speaks in the film about how they hated the California hippie bands and their reasoning perfectly explains why I have always been drawn to them far more than their contemporaries.
Oasis: There and Then
Knebworth 1996 This is less about Oasis and more about a moment in time that will never happen again. The band have some voice overs, but do not appear in the film other than in some archival footage. This is about the fan’s experience at what was then, the largest concert in British history (250,000 people over 2 nights). Fans are featured in voice overs and interviews talking about hearing about the gig, planning to go to the gig, getting tickets, getting to the show, and then being in the moment, all day long, with 125,000 strangers with no internet access or cell phones. When the band hit the stage, there were no phones in the air videoing the show, they were all sharing the moment together. A perfect example of why I will always miss the 90s.
A Complete Unknown
Underground, Inc. (90’s Indie Rock)
Teenage Superstars (80s & 90s Glasgow Scene)
Liam Gallagher: As It Was
The Tragically Hip: No Dress Rehearsal If you’re reading this and you have Netflix, you absolutely have to watch this. It’s long, several long episodes, but more than worth it. It’s tragic they’re not more known in America, but they’re a national treasure north of the border.
24 Hour Party People
Mudhoney: I’m Now
Brian Eno: The Man Who Fell to Earth
Tom Petty: Somewhere You Feel Free
Duct Tape Messiah: The Blaze Foley Story
Country Music: A Film by Ken Burns
Punk in London
The Doors: When You’re Strange
Distant Sky (Nick Cave)
Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind Everyone knows he married his 13-year-old cousin and they know “Great Balls of Fire” but I wish more people knew he was the greatest country singer I’ve ever heard. I think too often when one is a genius at something, they struggle with everything else in life but that thing, and The Killer was no exception.
The United States of Insanity (Insane Clown Posse) I’ve always had a soft spot for Juggalos. They’re mostly rural, lower class whites and therefore they’re one of the preferred targets for the elitist bullies of the world. I’m not much of a fan of ICP’s music, but they seem like alright guys and the average Juggalo could be your neighbor. It’s a great look at a very misunderstood subculture.
The Hollies: Look Through Any Window
Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed Jason Isbell’s talent is only matched by his douchery. There might not be any man on the face of the earth whose work I respect more and who I want to meet less.
Mean Man: The Story of Chris Holmes
The Grateful Dead: Classic Albums (American Beauty)
Primal Scream: Classic Albums (Screamadelica)
Lou Reed: Classic Albums (Transformer)
The Colossus of Destiny: A Melvins Tale
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Hans Zimmer: Hollywood Rebel
Wham!
Fred Armisen: Stand Up for Drummers
Hate to Love Nickelback Another gem by Netflix. You don’t have to like their music, but if you finish this film and you don’t like the dudes in the band, then I think you’re either a liar or an asshole.