Knit to This
Knit to This: Music Documentaries
I am a sucker for any documentary that follows a band or a musician around and records the mayhem that unfailingly happens.
How deep is my love of this category? I just finished a frankly bloated four-episode documentary of the band Bon Jovi. I don’t even like Bon Jovi, but there I was, worrying about Jon Bon Jovi’s vocal cords and whether Richie Sambora is going to get on that private jet. I do think the series has an excellent name, Thank You, Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story. Wistful! O Jon, hang in there buddy!
If you haven’t tapped into the deep vein of feuds, fights, bad behavior, bus accidents, and—on occasion—insight into the creative life, there is just tons of this stuff out there. I’m going to list a few of the favorites that pop to mind.
Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon. Entertainment managers are a special breed, part psychotherapist, chaos coordinator, bag man. Shep Gordon is legendary, with his absolutely bonkers stories at the heart of this documentary. “I will make you famous,” he basically says, “and it will kill you.”
20 Feet from Stardom: Meet the Unsung Heroes Behind the Greatest Music of Our Time. The unsung heroes are the heroic backup singers. Really moving and a reminder that the music business is stacked with talent.
The Beatles: Get Back. Church for me, basically. The ultimate fly-on-the-wall experience, watching this band at work.
Muscle Shoals. A recording studio in north Alabama attracted everybody from the Rolling Stones to Aretha Franklin to Lynard Skynard.
Being the Osmonds. Surprisingly moving. Just some unbelievable footage of six brothers decades after the pop madness. Their medley of songs from Fiddler on the Roof is every unhinged thing you think it would be. (Pretty suspicious that they lifted their medley from the Temptations, whose medley is everything the Osmonds’s is not.)
And, I’m happy to report, the grandaddy of all music documentary series is back: Behind the Music, the MTV staple that made me a fan of the genre. I’ll even sign up for Paramount+ to get back to these classic episodes. I’m pretty sure the requirement was that at some point you had to have been a) arrested, b) caught lip syncing, c) ripped off by your manager, and d) persevered despite a band member quitting/dying/going to rehab.
I could do this all day—hit me up when you run out of music documentaries to watch. And please leave a comment with your suggestions.
I think it was called Echoes in the Canyon. About Laurel Canyon in the 60s. Narrated by Jakob Dylan. Excellent. Also, the Linda Ronstadt documentary was great. The Amy Winehouse one was very interesting even if it did make my head explode because of the people exploiting her.
I agree- Laurel Canyon one was great! I even bought the soundtrack!
Oh I totally agree these were very interesting to watch!!!!
Thanks, Ann, for the suggestions. I love this type of documentaries and so does my husband.
Hi Ann, Thank you for this list! I absolutely LOVE Bon Jovi, especially Jon Bon (as he is referred to in our house) and had know idea that there is a documentary about them. I am putting this at the top of my must watch list.
I have to ask, now that you have caught up on some fine musical documentaries, have you seen the old Spinal Tap- the ridiculously funny mockumentary about a hair band whose amplifier goes to 11? I can always count on a Christopher Guest movie when I need a good laugh.
Absolutely. My favorite movie of all time, followed closely by A Mighty Wind. There was a time when the soundtrack was our car CD fave singalong. “I’m livin’ in a HELLHOLE” is great when sung by a six year old.
Yes on A Mighty Wind and don’t forget _Nashville_ which was a parody. And don’t forget concerts as well. I’ve seen all of Eric Clapton’s Guitar Festivals-doesn’t get much better than that.
The Band – Robby Robertson – an incredible story
And there’s Song Exploder, a TV and podcast series. Each episode features just one song and explores the creative process.
And there’s American Symphony, about jazz composer and performing artist, Jon Batiste.
So many amazing documentaries about musicians!
He is one for the ages, so gifted and full of grace.
Jon Batiste American Symphony is AMAZING!!!
Agree! A genius, and a giant heart to boot.
The best thing about the computer age is that you can find music that you thought you would never hear again. I drove from Denver to Eugene,OR with my dog as my only companion and my new car has all of the bells and whistles to make for a great road trip. But the music got me through the harder parts of starting my life over at the age of 70 and leaving the past behind
The best thing about the computer age is that you can find music that you thought you would never hear again. I drove from Denver to Eugene,OR with my dog as my only companion and my new car has all of the bells and whistles to make for a great road trip. But the music got me through the harder parts of starting my life over at the age of 70 and leaving the past behind
If you haven’t seen Laurel Canyon, it’s a must. Also, “How to Mend a Broken Heart” is the story of the Bee Gee’s – they were so much more than disco.
Omg yes to both!!! If you’d told me 40 years ago that Barry Gibb would make me cry like a lost child, I would not have believed you.
One of my favorite podcasts, No Guitar Is Safe / Jude Gold
Amazing interviews 126 episodes, so far. I just noticed some episodes I want to go back and hear again. Thanks for a new fork in the road!
Ooooh, how did I miss this?!?
Highly recommend this Bee Gees documentary. Watched long time ago and still think about them when I hear a song of theirs.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bee+gees+documentary&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
Don’t forget the genius outsiders, Gimme Danger (Iggy Pop), The Devil and Daniel Johnston, and Dig! (Dandy Warhols vs. Brian Jonestown Massacre). All great.
Three new ones, omg thank you!
Young at heart, a film about an elderly aged choir who start singing pop songs. A whole different perspective on Fix You. You will laugh and cry. Just the best.
Yes, Young at Heart is simply wonderful!
Synth Britannia is amazing if you are a fan of 80’s new wave. Also, Hitsville the story of Motown narrated/hosted by Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson
I was the charge nurse in a nursing home and this obnoxious young woman would come in to play her guitar for the residents. It was her belief that they wanted to hear music from their generation and they told her that they didn’t want to hear music from the past.Hard to sing Aretha on a 6 string guitar
Check out The Greatest Night in Pop.
Also, Dave Grohl has made 3 fantastic documentaries/docuseries: From The Cradle to The Stage, Sound City, and What Drives Us
I drove my kids to Omaha, Nebraska from Denver to hear Dave Grohl in the Red Hot Chili Peppers before they were old enough to drive.
Memorable
Love that one—laugh and cry simultaneous.
“Squaring the Circle” is a documentary about designing the artwork for rock album covers.
“A fascinating and suitably maverick snapshot of a richly creative moment in music history, told through a couple of disreputable hippies who designed some of the most iconic album covers of all time.”
Also “The Greatest Night in Pop” about filming the ‘We are the World’ video.
Watch the Bee Gees documentary too! It’s really good and you’ll be dancing and singing all night long
“Searching for Sugar Man” is a great documentary & great music.
Decades after Detroit singer-songwriter Rodriguez disappeared following the commercial failure of his albums, two fans try to track down their idol. Director Malik Bendjelloul’s moving film about singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez won the Oscar for Best Documentary.
Check out The Greatest Night in Pop.
Also, Dave Grohl has made 3 fantastic documentaries/docuseries: From The Cradle to The Stage, Sound City, and What Drives Us
So good. Amazing story.
I loved this one too!
“Almost famous”
I love The Wrecking Crew, the 2015 documentary about session musicians in the 60s and 70s. It’s amazing how much of the iconic music from that time came from them.
It’s just song after iconic song, such a tribute to those unsung geniuses!
Yes!
The best music documentary ever is “The Wrecking Crew” which celebrates the session musicians from the 60’s and 70’s in LA who were behind all the great musicians during that era. They played some of the most famous solos/parts and yet they have remained anonymous. I especially love Carol Kaye who played some of the baddest bass parts! Your mind will be blown!
PS Shout out to Jon Bon Jovi, who is one of the most philanthropic and humanitarian people on the planet. JBJ Soul Foundation and JBJ Soul Kitchen.
We’ve watched “The Wrecking Crew” over and over again at our house. I never get tired of marveling at their talent!
All respect to Jon Bon! And yes, Carol Kaye was such a vibe.
There are so many great documentaries. I took an OLLI* class on Rock Docs a few years back. One riveting one was Gimme Shelter, The Rolling Stones documentary about their 1969 American tour the concluded with the infamous concert at Altamont Raceway. Another one I remember was Stop Making Sense, the performative Talking Heads documentary. Not in our class but interesting is Dig about two bands, the Brian Jonestown Massacre and the Dandy Warhols and Summer of Soul, which was a huge event that I knew nothing about before seeing this series.
*Osher Life Long Learning Institute, an organization for adult learning with local chapters associated with Universities around the country.
I love the one where Metallica goes to couples therapy. I think it’s called some kind of monster
That one is absolutely stunning—really loved the scenes with their therapist.
Yes! Not a huge fan of the music but the therapy and drama was fascinating
I too love a good Rock Doc!
These are all great! Also, “Count Me In” about rock drummers!
It’s just incredible, the way it shows you a universe you never knew existed.
The Behind the Music Poison episode is one of my favorite things ever made for tv. Watch for the huge hair but stay to hear C.C. DeVille say “I went from the house of hookers to the house of horrors.” It’s brilliant!
Karen! I gotta watch that one again. They of all hair bands are sort of the epitome. They hair banded harder than any hair band hair banded.
Sound City is excellent. I mean, what’s not to love about Dave Grohl’s love for a mixing board? 10/10
What’s not to love about Dave Grohl? His autobiography is a great audiobook
Ack! Have not seen!!! But if you like mixing board based content, Three Two One on Hulu is incredible: Paul McCartney with producer icon Rick Rubin playing tracks and talking about superfamous songs in a way that makes the song brand new. Paul is often delighted at his own work, which could not be more charming.
I heart that documentary.
Just watched (for the second time) Wham! on Netflix. Super interesting, follows them from when Andrew and George met in school all the way to Wham’s final concert. Highly recommend!
I hear that “In Restless Dreams” the recent documentary on Paul Simon is very good.
Also give a listen to the audiobook “Miracles and Wonder: Conversations with Paul Simon,” a series of conversations between Malcom Gladwell and Paul Simon and Bruce Headlam. Some of it I knew, a lot of it I didn’t.
“Hail, Hail, Rock and Roll”: it follows Keith Richards organizing a concert in honor of Chuck Berry, on Chuck’s 60th birthday. It wasn’t easy.
Also “Hell Freezes Over”, documenting the Eagles’ reunion concert. A bit tetchy, those guys.
I second your recommendation of both of these!
Oh and “It Might Get Loud”. Jimmy Page, Jack White, and the Edge reminisce in a warehouse. It’s fascinating.
Ack! Have not seen!!! But if you like mixing board based content, Three Two One on Hulu is incredible: Paul McCartney with producer icon Rick Rubin playing tracks and talking about superfamous songs in a way that makes the song brand new. Paul is often delighted at his own work, which could not be more charming.
My kids couldn’t believe their 78 year old mother was raving on about “If I Leave Here Tomorrow”, the mesmerizing documentary of Lynyrd Skynrd.
OK fictional but I also highly recommend That Thing You Do which somehow feels as if it fits here
“Standing in the Shadows of Motown” is an excellent documentary about the Funk Brothers, the uncredited 60s studio musicians behind so many Motown artists like Marvin Gaye, Martha Reeves, the Temptations etc.
Yes! I was hoping someone would recommend this one!
Thanks and happy Mothers Day
I watched 20 Feet From Stardom twice! So good!
Do not miss Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind, by Ethan Coen.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11764342/
I have to add “A Mighty Wind,’ the mockumentary about a reunion of folk singers. The movie poster was a guitar covered in knitting!
I have to add Twenty Feet From Stardom is really really good. Highly recommend. A friend said the Bon Jovi one was worth watching, so I will.
There’s a Paul McCartney set. I didn’t expect to like it, but I did.
If You Could Read My Mind, about Gordon Lightfoot, and a new one called Lightheaded.
The Foo Fighters Sonic Highway is fun. They visit various cities and show a combo music history/behind the scenes. Then they play the song that was inspired by the city and all of a sudden the seemingly nonsense lyrics make sense.
This was a fantastic series. Every episode was so interesting
Two favorites: The Last Waltz (Scorsese on The Band’s final concert) and Lightning in a Bottle (Blues with some great commentary from the older musicians). I could watch/listen to these over and over.
“…and what did they call it?”
“Rock and roll.
Yeah, super doc. Try “Rust Never Sleeps” also.
“Searching for Sugarman” and “The Wrecking Crew”
Hitsville: The Making Of Motown
Fascinating. They had a rigorous program for their artists.
I have to give yet another shout out for The Wrecking Crew. I listen to the 60’s Gold Channel on Sirius XM and think about those musicians every day. Unsung heroes playing some of the best music of my generation. Among the many stories in the documentary, I especially love the one behind California Dreamin’ and how it launched the Mamas and Papas to fame. And, Carol Kaye.
Questlove’s Summer of Soul. So beautiful.
Check out Festival Express with Janis, The Band, the Dead and more. Made in 1970, but not released until much later. So, so good.
Been married 50 years to a professional rock n roll musician. As you can imagine, rock documentaries are a staple in our house. Spinal Tap is more like real life of a band member than you might think…
So many great suggestions. You can’t go wrong with any of them. For something a bit different, I highly recommend the Paul Simon/Malcolm Gladwell audiobook Flora Rudy recommended. Paul’s creative process is fascinating. Enjoy!
How about the one on Shaina Twain on Netflix. It’s soo entertaining. Love her !!
Rush – Beyond the Lighted Stage and Rush – Time Stand Still. Also, if you can find it, the series Cradle to Stage that Dave Grohl did with his mom, Virginia Grohl. All well done and worth a look
Joe Cocker Mad Dog with Soul
Muscle Shoals is wonderful. Such a humble place where magic happens.
The Eagles documentary from several years ago might have been the best music doc I’ve ever seen! I’m not sure where it is streaming now.
You reminded me how much I loved Sting: Bring On the Night from 1985.
Not a documentary but great fun in a music documentary way: The Commitments
In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon. On Amazon Prime
Two immediate ones from me: After the Screaming Stops (about the 80s boy band Bros) and On the Road with Brian Johnson (it seems that Johnson can talk to anybody, from Sting to Dave Grohl, and his Geordie accent makes it all the more fun to listen to. My only complaint is the usual one with rock music: where are all the women?). I recently read an intriguing book about rock music called Uncommon People (by David Hepworth, I think?). Again, not enough women (the number of chapters featuring women equal (I think) the number featuring the Beatles), but very interesting and digestible. Each chapter (which is short enough to feel like a snack) surrounds a particular figure for a year of the rock star era (which for the author starts with Little Richard and ends with Kurt Cobain).
A superlative podcast on country Music, you may have mentioned..
“Cocaine and Rhinestones”
quite excellent series…Ahhhh George Jones…….
20 Feet from Stardom is amazing! Loved that one — thanks for the recommendations of more great docs to check out.
I also love music documentaries! My favorite is “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” maybe because that’s my very favorite song, or the fact that their story is so uplifting. There was never a rift among them and they loved each other so much. Their voices are perfection. Even my sister, who never cared for them, loved it and is now a fan!
Also, I just watched “Squaring the Circle: The Story of Hipgnosis.” If you love album cover art design like I do, then this is the one for you. It’s heavy on Pink Floyd covers but includes others like Led Zeppelin and Paul McCartney.
Thanks for the article. I’ve seen most of them but will check out the Osmonds doc. Who of us didn’t want to be a pop star growing up? After seeing some of these heartbreaks, I’m kind of glad I’m just a shower singing, music listening, under the radar knitter from Ohio.
I took love any music doc, even if I’m not a fan of the band
This is one of my faves, and I’m not even a big follower of Journey. It’s called Don’t Stop Believing and is an incredible rags-to-fame story about their new lead singer. I’m a journey fan now! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1308756/
And then there’s Keith Richards Under the Influence documentary. He is really one of the happiest most uplifting musicians on the planet.
https://m.imdb.com/title/tt4900018/
Forgot to add this one…full of goosebumps and vocal thrills. Linda Ronstadt The sound of my voice. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eDMYAsu5PvI
So many good suggestions on this list. Thank you Ann!
If you can find it, “Searching for Sugarman” is amazing. He was famous and didn’t even know it.
The Black Godfather, The Wrecking Crew, Searching for Sugarman, and The Buena Vista Social Club are all really good.
Loved Buena Vista!! I might have to pull that one out and watch again!!!
Echos in the Canyon was by far one of the best documentaries I’ve ever seen. This was the sound track of my youth in the 70’s. Very nostalgic and totally crazy how all of these amazingly talented people found each other and hung out at each others’ houses in Laurel Canyon for a brief, shining moment in time. Highly recommend.
One of my favorite musical docs is about Tom Dowd the music producer who put together Layla. One amazing man. I think you can catch it on YouTube. If I come up with more I’ll let you know!
The Tom Dowd documentary was unique in that it was about this genius of a man who made music we all know and love sound like it does. Have never seen a documentary like this. Thanks for reminding me to watch it again
ALSO Sound Breaking about the evolution of music. Starts with The Producers and goes on from there! AMAZING!
I don’t know if it’s been suggested but “Fanny: The Right to Rock”— The story of a Filipina American garage band that morphed into the ferocious rock group Fanny, which almost became the female version of the Beatles.
One I would highly recommend is Good Ol’ Freda ….. the story of who actually started ran the fan club for the Beatles when they were teenagers. GREAT story!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqO3DIaKTXM
One I would highly recommend is Good Ol’ Freda ….. the story of who actually started and ran the fan club for the Beatles when they were just becoming famous as teenagers. GREAT story!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqO3DIaKTXM
“Sometimes When We Touch” is a wonderful docuseries about soft rock and yacht rock on Paramount Plus. There’s also “The Greatest Night in Pop” or something like that on Netflix about pulling together the “We are the World” recording.