Top 10 Rock Documentaries to Stream At Home
By Halie Smith, ArtsQuest Cinema-Comedy Assistant
Should I listen to music? Should I watch a movie?
Why not do both at the same time?!?! While you’re stuck at home, you can catch up on all the great music documentaries available across all of the streaming services. At the Frank Banko Alehouse Cinemas, we show plenty of rock docs throughout the year, and these are 10 of the best ones we think you’ll love most…
Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese
Director: Martin Scorsese
Time: 2 Hr. 22 min.
Where to stream: Netflix
This documentary takes us on Bob Dylan’s tour, Rolling Thunder Revue. While most of the documentary is composed of non-fictional interviews and footage of the tour, Scorsese included some fictional elements pulled from outtakes of Dylan’s 1978 film, Renaldo and Clara, which was filmed while the tour was taking place.
20 Feet From Stardom
Director: Morgan Neville
Time: 1 Hr. 30 min.
Where to stream: Netflix
This documentary focuses on the lives of background singers of multiple artists from multiple genres. The film follows singers from bands such as The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Elvis Presley, and even Stevie Wonder.
The Other One: The Long Strange Trip of Bob Weir
Director: Mike Fleiss
Time: 1 Hr. 25 min.
Where to stream: Netflix
This documentary focuses on the life of Bob Weir and his personal journey throughout his life before and during the rise of The Grateful Dead. It includes his personal relationship with Jerry Garcia, and archival footage of concerts and interviews.
Janis: Little Girl Blue
Director: Amy J. Berg
Time: 1 Hr. 44 min.
Where to stream: Hulu
This documentary focuses on the life of Janis Joplin, quite literally from start to finish. Interviews with family and friends, as well as footage from interviews and performances, focus on the ups and downs of Janis’ life (including her struggles with addiction).
The Beatles: Made on Merseyside
Director: Alan Byron
Time: 1 Hr. And 27 min.
Where to stream: Hulu
This documentary showcases The Beatles in their early years. Emerging from a post-war Liverpool, it shows how the band was able to turn the music industry around with their innovative stylings.
Bad Reputation
Director: Kevin Kerslake
Time: 1 Hr. 35 min.
Where to stream: Hulu
This documentary takes us out of the 60’s-70’s era for a moment, and into the 80’s with the rise of punk rock. It focuses on Joan Jett’s career, from her early days with the band The Runaways, to the formation of her own band, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.
The Quiet One
Director: Oliver Murray
Time: 1 Hr. 38 min.
Where to stream: Hulu
This documentary focuses on the life and career of Bill Wyman, former bassist of The Rolling Stones. Wyman was always known as “the quiet one”, which is why this documentary was aptly named. This is the first look at Wyman’s life and includes never before seen looks at the band itself.
Oasis: Supersonic
Director: Mat Whitecross
Time: 2 Hr. 2 min.
Where to stream: Netflix
This documentary details the formative years of the band Oasis. Compiled of interviews with band members and people associated with the band, as well as footage from concerts and backstage, the film showcases their success in the 90’s and the rise to that success.
Duane Allman: Song of The South: Duane Allman And The Rise of the Allman Brothers
Director: Tom O’Dell
Time: 2 Hr. 10 min.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
This film focuses on Duane Allman’s life, work, and how he was able to change the music scene with The Allman Brothers Band. This documentary includes interviews from friends and experts on Duane’s life, as well as footage from never before seen interviews.
Jim Morrison: The Wild Child
Director: Piers Garland
Time: 1 Hr. 1 min.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
This documentary focuses on Jim Morrison’s complex upbringing and how that would come to affect his life with the band, The Doors. The documentary also talks about the political happenings at the time and how politics affected his songwriting and poetry.
