Top Ten Tuesday: Best Music/Band Documentaries

The world has come down with a serious case of Bieber Fever… and with JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER out in theaters tomorrow, we figured that this would be the perfect time to talk about some of our favorite Music/Band documentaries. There are so many that a couple have certainly been left out… but that just gives you something to discuss at the end!

Honorable Mention: THE FEARLESS FREAKS

If you have ever been to a THE FLAMING LIPS concert, you know the kind of crazy, high energy show that these guys put on. In THE FEARLESS FREAKS viewers get to see the makings and evolution of this band from Oklahoma. It is an honest, genuine film that delves much deeper than just showing a band playing a show.

10. THE DECLINE OF WESTERN CIVILIZATION PART II: THE METAL YEARS

The popularity of big hair rock music was at its absolute peak in 1988. Following the success of her punk rock documentary The Decline of Western Civilization (1981), director Penelope Spheeris turned her lens on the infamous Sunset Strip in Los Angeles. Having been the launching ground of hugely successful bands such as Van Halen, Motley Crue and RATT, struggling musicians from all over the world flocked to the Strip seeking fame, fortune and that elusive title of Rock Star.

The film takes a very candid look at just how much hustle it took to stand out amongst a sea of wanna-bes and posers. Spheeris interviews mega-successful musicians such as Ozzy Osbourne, Paul Stanley (KISS), Steven Tyler and Joe Perry (Aerosmith), and Alice Cooper all offering advice to the up-and-comers. Newly signed acts such as Poison, Vixen and Faster Pussycat convey just how precarious their position is, demonstarted by the fact that the latter two only enjoyed a brief success from their mostly local following and never truly made it big.

But the most poignant and funny interviews come from all the local bands and groupies who are so sure they are going to make it and get signed. They have endless confidence and belief in themselves, and sadly you know they will never make it. But that doesn’t stop them from going out night after night to promote themselves, believing they have just as good a shot as anybody else. If you lived in Los Angeles during this time and were into this “scene,” this is a great stroll down memory lane and you might just see yourself or people you know.

09. D TOUR: A TENACIOUS DOCUMENTARY

In D TOUR: A TENACIOUS DOCUMENTARY we get a glimpse into the lives of Jack Black and Kyle Gass as they take on a world tour in support of their newest album and film. Are there typical funny moments between the two? Sure, but there are also some rare moments captured between family and friends. This documentary focuses on Kyle and Jack as normal, everyday people, which is something the world needs to be reminded of. Oh, and Tenacious D rocks!

08. DIVINE MADNESS

After the success of the tour “Bette! Divine Madness” and the film “The Rose,” plans were underway to capitalize on Bette’s recent fame. A film version of “Divine Madness” was planned, but things didn’t turn out as great as one would have hoped. During the filming, Bette was just getting over a spout of bronchitis and pneumonia, which made singing very difficult for her, not the mention the loss of her vigor and stamina as well. Unfortunately plans could not be changed, since too much money was at stake – the show had to go on – and like a true showbiz trouper, Bette willfully complied. If that weren’t enough, even more obstacles arose! A huge storm had swept over Pasadena the night before shooting, which in turn flooded the basement of the Civic Auditorium making it very dangerous for all the film equipment. However, Bette did perform, the cameras did roll, and the film was made! Since Bette ‘s voice wasn’t up to par in most of the performances, her vocals had to be re-dubbed in the studio, in turn making the overall feel of the film seem somewhat contrived. The film was also chopped up between the three evenings, and pieced back together to make the best overall performance possible. Lots of songs were cut out like “Empty Bed Blues,” “Rain,” and “Martha.” Also, the Delores act (mermaids in wheelchairs!) was practically chopped in half, leaving out what some fans consider to be the best stuff. The most tragic thing however, which should never have been done, was switching the end from “Friends” to “I Shall Be Released.” The director, Michael Ritchie, felt it would make Bette look like a more serious actress for some reason her Academy Award nomination for The Rose wasn’t enough. No Bette show had ever ended on such a dramatic note and in doing so this film really took away the true nature and overall feel of her live performances. If it weren’t for the final clip of Bette standing on her head – which writer Bruce Villanch had to fight to keep in – people would have lost the true essence of what a Bette Midler show is all about – fun!

07. TUPAC: RESURRECTION

Oscar Nominated in 2004 for a Best Documentary Feature, TUPAC: RESURRECTION is totally narrated by the man after he had passed away. That’s what made it so unique. While watching the film, the audience comes to realize that they’re hearing from a ghost talking from beyond the grave with the reminder “I got shot.” It’s filled with music from Tupac, Notorious B.I.G., 50 Cent and Eminem. This self-portrait documentary is told through an assortment of concert videos, interviews, home movies, journal readings all showing the man, the artist and modern-day poet just trying to do to the best with what he had.

06. IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON

Remembering John Lennon, you’re astounded at how much he accomplished during his brief forty years on this planet. In 1988 filmmaker Andrew Solt had the daunting task of going through 240 hours of home movie and video footage to assemble a feature length documentary. The result is IMAGINE: JOHN LENNON. Like many other portraits of Lennon, we see the photos of him as a young working class musical hero growing up in Liverpool. Soon he meets his rock and roll partner Paul McCartney and begins his journey to superstardom. During those years of the Fab Four, John seemed to stand out with his off-kilter charm and razor-sharp wit. He seemed to delight in pushing buttons even back then, but soon experienced a powerful backlash with his ‘We’re more popular than Jesus” remark. The group changed with the times from the wacky mop-tops to counter culture icons. This change might have been accelerated by John’s new relationship with Yoko Ono. After the Beatles split-some fans still insist that Yoko was the instigator-John and Yoko became artistic and domestic partners. They decided to stage many events to call attention to world problems. In one memorable sequence their “bed-in” attracted the attention of cartoonist Al Capp (of Li’l Abner fame). Capp spews insults at the couple during his time in their bedroom. Along with footage of the couple on the Dick Cavett and Mike Douglas TV shows, John talks of his love for America. After battling with government forces for several years, John and Yoko are finally allowed to settled into an idyllic existence in NYC. Of course we’re also treated to countless of examples of his musical genius in this portrait of a remarkably gifted artist who was taken from us far too soon.

05. ELTON JOHN: TANTRUMS AND TIARAS

Those flamboyant eyeglasses…the outrageous outfits…the incredible musical talent. All these make up the pop superstar, Elton John. It was only a matter of time before he got the full feature length documentary treatment. But here’s the twist -the film was made by Elton’s life partner David Furnish in 1997. Now of course we get the background of Elton growing up in Britain during the early fifties, but we also get a more, intimate side of him. David’s right there for the tiara side of Elton with the shopping sprees and additions to the massive wardrobe-I’m still amazed by that Donald Duck outfit. You can see why many refer to Elton as the rock and roll Liberace. As the title states, we also get the tantrums. Elton vents his frustrations with concert equipment and backstage accommodations. In one sequence, Elton is furious after a private tennis game between himself and David has been disrupted by a zealous female fan. This memorable scene later became the plot for an episode of the TV sitcom ‘The Nanny’. This film is a wonderful, entertaining glimpse at an artist that’s been part of the music scene for over four decades now. And it’s also a great portrait of an enduring partnership. Not only are Elton and David still together, but they’re now parents of a baby boy.

04. MADONNA: TRUTH OR DARE

03. THE LAST WALTZ

After 16 years on the road THE BAND decided to have one heck of a farewell show. On Thanksgiving of 1976 a little director that I like to call Martin Scorsese documented the last show by The Band, one of the most influential bands in music, even if you have not heard of them. Chances are if you are musician from the 60’s or 70’s, and maybe even after, you were influenced in some way by The Band. Before their show on that noteworthy Thanksgiving, the audience (around 5,000 people) was served turkey dinners, and the evening was kicked off by poets and an orchestra. The Band performed on their own, but also brought out a plethora of some of the most popular and influential musicians from that time to join them on stage. Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, Neil Diamond, Muddy Waters and many more joined in on the festivities. The Band did not leave the audience wanting much though, starting at 9pm and playing their encore at around 2:15am. This was a jam session that will now live on forever thanks to Martic Scorsese.

02. ANVIL! THE STORY OF ANVIL

ANVIL!: THE STORY OF ANVIL was an unexpected and surprisingly enthralling documentary film; a portrait of a band’s passion and undying devotion to their art. This film from Sacha Gervasi also suggests a common human philosophy; that you’re never too old and it’s never too late to follow your dreams. Gervasi follows the two front-men of the band as they venture out to rekindle the fame they once had. It’s as much a road movie as it is a portrait of the artists, but the film also conveys the underlying influence the band had in their initial run, featuring interviews with well-known heavy metal stars such as Lars Ulrich of Metallica, Lemmy of Motorhead, and Slash of Guns & Roses. For a band that many people had never heard of and others had long forgotten, Anvil had an immense amount of impact of the heavy metal music scene, making this a sort of living testament to the artists. Because of this dynamic, the film is often as difficult to watch as it is enjoyable, as we experience much of the pain and disappointment, much of the artistic torment that the band endures, but the overwhelming result is compassion for the artists.

01. THE DEVIL INSIDE DANIEL JOHNSTON

THE DEVIL AND DANIEL JOHNSTON won Jeff Feuerzeig the Sundance Director’s Award in 2005, which goes a long way in explaining why this film is so outstanding. Generally speaking, documentaries do not win their creators awards for directing, but this is not your grandmother’s documentary. Feuerzeig’s vision and direction is nearly as compelling as the subject himself, tapping directly into the creative and emotional heart of Daniel Johnston’s life and work. Johnston is a creative genius; a singer, songwriter and artist whose work is unique and offers what often feels like bottomless depth. The film ventures throughout his troubled life, respectfully probing the artist’s manic-depressive state. Johnston’s friends and family are woven into the story, as are the effects he has on them, and vice versa. Feuerzeig incorporates Johnston’s music and art throughout the film in a way that ties everything together, blending all aspects of Johnston together into one cohesive universe, transforming the documentary into more that simply it’s genre, but into a fully formed genre-busting film about the perfect imperfections of life, love and creativity.