An unfiltered glimpse into the working of a genius at play distinguishes these legendary music documentaries from other attempts. A music lover who wants to dive headfirst into the innate lives of their favourite musicians should surely watch these extraordinary pieces of cinematic wonders.
Gimme Shelter (1970)
Giving an insightful gaze at the culminating week of The Rolling Stones’ 1969 U.S. Tour, which saw the disastrous Altamont Free Concert where Meredith Hunter was killed. This incident was recorded and included in the movie, which made the movie one of the best music documentaries. The documentary skillfully captures the inherent energy of the band, using a new approach to filmmaking and a natural flow of events, making it a thorough, soulful watch.
Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
Perhaps one of the most well-known documentaries of one of the most influential musicians, Kurt Cobain, whose genius was hard to encapsulate in any medium. This documentary attempts to do the same with the help of his home movies, journal entries, drawings, notebook scrawlings, and audio recordings. The unfiltered nature and a step into Cobain’s mind make you feel connected to the man. His short yet eventful life gives a brilliant sneak peek into the making of an untouchable legend.
The Last Waltz (1978)
Directed by Martin Scorsese himself before he made Raging Bull, this concert movie depicts the last show of ‘The Band’ in San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day 1976 before hanging up their boots. The movie has a nostalgic feel and a celebratory tone, with interviews from the quintet, who reminisce about their time in the band and the numerous life lessons learned along the way. Their music soars throughout the runtime but does not overpower the tonality, which has a subtle nuance that transports the viewers to the bygone era.
Amy (2015)
Amy Winehouse’s quintessential style with a 50s influence, along with a deep vocal range infused with the soul genre, made her reach a star status very early in life. Her album ‘Back to Black’ released in 2006, was a pivotal turning point in the history of pop music. Her untimely demise at the age of 27 left the world in shock, and the same is captured in this movie, which paints a complete portrait of the artist whose life was in the tabloids constantly, as were her charts.
Don’t Look Back (1967)
Often considered among the best documentaries ever made, Dont Look Back’s beauty and nuance lie in its display of the flight of a phoenix embodied by Bob Dylan. The ‘Subterranean Homesick Blues’ opener is one of the most iconic minutes of the movie, which further divulges his 1965 U.K. tour and is a poster for the sixties rock and roll era. Shot using a handheld camera, this documentary made Dylan an icon whose glories and triumph were just the very beginning of an illustrious career.
Madonna: Truth or Dare (1991)
The ‘It’ girl of pop music who sensationalised the genre to another level is her candid best in this impactful documentary. Following her Blond Ambition Tour, the documentary wanted to find out the real Madonna whose persona can be different in the media and off the camera. Upon release, it was one of the highest-grossing documentaries until it was surpassed by one in 2002. Though Madonna’s performance was criticised by some for not being natural, many still feel it made her closer to the fans than ever before.
