Top 10 Music Documentaries of All Time

What are some good music documentaries? What are your favorite music documentaries? I get asked questions like these all the times from my family and friends and have decided to compile a “Top 10 Music Documentaries of All Time” list. Having seen a plethora of these flicks too many times over, I also sought out some expert opinions from some of my musician friends and other music connoisseurs. Without further adieu, GrimyGoods’ “Top 10 Music Documentaries of All Time.”

Don’t like what you see? Well why don’t you leave a comment with your two cents!

• The Devil and Daniel Johnston
  If you’re a Nirvana fan but don’t know who Daniel Johnston is, shame on you. With the simplest and most sincere lyrics, Daniel Johnston has won the hearts and respect of musicians and fans all over the world. But do you know the whole story about Daniel? Check out this touching documentary and how his music effected musicians world-wide.
• You’re Gonna Miss Me
  The story of one of rock n’ roll’s psychedelic pioneers, Roky Erickson. I can’ tell you how much I love this man’s music with his eerie lyrics, slide guitar and a soulful howl so deep you’d think he’s summoning his inner werewolf. He’s always thought way far out of the box, but his drug addiction and mental illness took him out even further. His moving story will give you goosebumps and run chills up you spine.
• DiG
  Everyone knows the Dandy Warhols, but not everyone recognizes the Brian Jonestown Massacre. Taking place in the mid 90′s when grunge was fading, this is the cool yet fucked up story of two very similar bands, that were once friends and how it all crumbled. Selling out, going corpo, self-righteousness, drugs, mental illness, self-sabotage and so much more! This shit’s better than a Spanish Telanovela!
• The Mayor of The Sunset Strip
  Some people just know him as KROQ’s Rodney on the Rock, but Rodney Bingenheimer is far much more than that and a famed Hollywood DJ. This guy had and still does, have one of the best ears for music and spotting talent before anyone else. From Bowie, the Dolls, the Stooges, Ramones, Nirvana and more, he brought so many of all the greatest punk and rock n’ roll bands into the proverbial light … he should of gotten more credit for it. Loved by all and a true lover of music.
• New York Doll
  Combining glam and punk way back in the early 70′s, the New York Dolls were way ahead of their time and taking bold steps forward that not every one approved of. Besides the infamous story about this awesome band and the life of Johnny Thunders that ended far too soon, there’s also the story of bassist Arthur “Killer” Kane. From alcoholism to Mormonism, and to bringing this iconic band back together, this is yet another touching documentary. Grab some tissues!
• Gimme Shelter: Rolling Stones at Altamont
  Hands down, these guys are one of the greatest rock bands of all time! What I would do to have a fuckin’ time machine to go back to these days. It was 1969 and a FREE concert, you can only imagine how crazy this shit was gonna be. But it wasn’t just hippies and free lovin’ here, bad boys Hell’s Angels and the infamous Sonny Barger had a big part in this story. It’s the concert that went terribly wrong, deadly wrong.
• The Beatles Anthology
  This is THE documentary for Beatles lovers! Actually, THE documentary for music lovers all around. Riding 10 hours deep, this is the true story of the Beatles. First-person accounts from the band themselves. Amazing vintage footage, interviews, photos and a whole lot more! If you think you knew a lot about one of the greatest bands to walk the planet, the Beatles, you haven’t until you’ve endured all 600 minutes worth of this!
• The MC5: A True Testimonial
  Leaving a huge dent in the history of rock n’ roll, far greater than their record sales, where would rock n’ roll be with out the MC5? As one of the most revolutionary bands out there in the early 60′s knocking down all walls with no rules whatsoever, “are you going to be part of the problem or part of the solution”? There’s so much legal shit behind this documentary, damn the man! I don’t even think there’s a Youtube trailer of it online! This flick will make you want to get up and “Kick out the Jams” as well as start a revolution!
• Control
  Control is a movie that portrays the post punk era of a troubled life of rising alternative rock band’s lead singer Ian Curtis of Joy Division.  The film portrays the complexity of Ian’s inner-self with dealing rising stardom, romance, family and depression. A sad flick, but a story all about Curtis’ life. This flick focuses on him and not so much the music of Joy Division,
• End Of The Century: The Story Of The Ramones
  Who doesn’t love the Ramones and everything they’ve done for punk today!? If you look around, kids today dress more like them now than back in their day, with tight ass jeans and leather jackets, it’s a Ramones revival. These guys set the tone for the short one-and-a-half minute punk songs full of power chords and repetitive hooks. This is a great epic on the New York renegades, how they started, came together and stayed together for as long as they could.

7 Responses to “Top 10 Music Documentaries of All Time”

Sandy says:
December 5, 2009 at 1:16 pm
“The Devil Went Home and Puked” – I will have to check that one out!
ryan says:
December 4, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Good list. I’d change it up a bit but I have no real complaints. As such, this comment is completely pointless.
Add “the devil went home and puked” the official GBV DVD by Robert Pollard (just released) for its sheer insanity factor, maybe.
Brian says:
December 4, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Good shit! Go Roky!
Caroline says:
December 4, 2009 at 10:14 am
DIG IS AWESOME!!!!!
G Davies says:
December 3, 2009 at 4:29 pm
All the way with you on Gimmie Shelter and Your Gonna Miss Me. Epic!
Sandy says:
December 3, 2009 at 1:48 pm
Ha! I originally had “Spinal Tap” and “It’s All Gone Pete Tong” as jokes! ha
Lori says:
December 3, 2009 at 11:58 am
Good list, but I would also add “No Direction Home.” Dylan and Scorsese are magic together. Also, though more mockumentary, “This is Spinal Tap” is a classic.