Steamy Streaming: Music Docs
These Films Entertain And Educate
We love documentaries, and we love rock and roll. Combining the two is an obvious no-brainer. Here are some of our favorite music documentaries for you to stream online.
20 Feet From Stardom
This important documentary shines a spotlight on some of rock and roll’s greatest backup singers, with a notable focus on the great Darlene Love. Truly passionate music fans know her tremendous impact on the music scene due to her collaborations with iconic mega-producer (and certifiable madman and convicted murderer) Phil Spector, though she’s definitely not a household name in mainstream culture. The film documents rock and roll history, and has secured its place in that history, winning a ton of awards, including the coveted Oscar for Best Documentary.
Ariana Grande: My Way
One of the hottest young performers today is Ariana Grande. At only 25 years old, she’s already a huge star with a string of pop hits and a positive presence on social media. Unlike some young starlets, who burn bright and then spectacularly implode following a string of bad decisions, Grande seems like she has a good head on her shoulders. So far, she’s only gotten into trouble for getting sassy towards a tray of donuts. True story. Look it up.
Showtime: Four Bands, Four Nights
Finally, the Showtime network brings it home with four nights of brand new music documentaries about some of the most iconic artists in their respective scenes.
On December 11 is Jeff Beck: Still on the Run, about blues guitarist Jeff Beck, who is one of the best to ever wield a guitar. He was barely 20 years old when he joined The Yardbirds, but his work with the band helped define the guitar-fueled sound of 1960s rock. The next day sees the release of Agnostic Front: The Godfathers of Hardcore, which chronicles the rise of one of New York City’s most legendary bands, true pioneers in the realm of gritty, street-level punk in a New York City which was once a far cry from the tourist-friendly consumer ghetto of today. On December 13, Showtime celebrates the life and times of Jesus Christ Allin, a man whose onstage persona was so intense, he made Iggy Pop look like Pat Boone. Seriously, his birth name was Jesus Christ. The final documentary of the week is about Brian Welch of Korn, which… Well, it’s Korn. You get what you get.
