I was never much of a fan of documentaries the same way I don't really enjoy reading a lot of non-fiction; it's not that the topics are uninteresting, but it's basically me reading about someone else's life and I'm far more interested in the output of their imagination.
So every so often, I surprise myself and end up going down a rabbit-hole of documentaries. The rise of Netflix has certainly helped foster this, but there have been some great music documentaries over the years that discuss the lives AND the creativity of musicians, which has always fascinated me. Here's a list of just a few (though if you have the time and the inkling, you should also check out the BBC series "Classic Albums," which is a phenomenal dissection of some great albums spanning several decades):
"Scratch" - 2001 (Full Movie)
I got into this documentary at about the same time I started DJing, so it was appropriate timing. This is a really solid look at some of the innovators of turntablism; where it came from, where it is, and where it's going. Even at an hour and a half, it still feels woefully short despite doing its damndest to give a great overview of DJing as an art form.
"The Slackers: A Documentary" - 2007 (Trailer)
I got into ska when I was in high school. I really liked all three waves of it; the first wave with its heavy, heavy reggae roots, the second wave emanating mostly out of England, and the third wave which brought a more punk flavor to the sound.
The Slackers were one of my favorite bands back then, so I was super stoked to come across this particular documentary by total accident. Huge band, huge sound, huge influences. Even if you don't care for the music, you gotta respect the talent and the drive.
"Muscle Shoals" - 2013 (Trailer)
There have been little pockets of certain kinds of sound that have blossomed throughout the history of music. We got the Seattle grunge sound, West Coast hip hop from LA, southern bounce from Atlanta, punk and glam rock from NYC, etc...and I really enjoy the explorations of how these scenes come to fruition, grow, and become their own special monsters. This documentary was no slouch in that department, highlighting this tiny little recording studio in the South that brought out classic songs from the likes of Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Etta James, the Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, and the Allman Brothers - and all with the help of a white backing band, which surprised the hell out of many black artists looking to record there.
"Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest" - 2011 (Trailer)
If you ask most people who listen to a fair amount of hip hop (or who used to), chances are good you'll find that ATCQ is one of their biggest influences. From the classic samples on many of their records to the breakout hit that was their ENTIRE album "Midnight Marauders," it's no surprise that a documentary would get made at some point. But Rappaport (yes, the actor) focuses more on the struggles and the infighting of the band rather than the music.
And while founding member Phife Dawg died last year, ATCQ released their sixth album just a few months after his passing, a feat that no one would have believed possible nearly 18 years after the release of their last album, "The Love Movement."
"It Might Get Loud" - 2009 (Trailer/Intro)
Three guitarists: Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin, The Edge of U2, and Jack White of entirely too many bands to name here.
While I'm not a huge fan of any of these three, I certainly recognize their talents and the marks they will leave on the history of music long after they're gone. Watching all three men sit together, chat, discuss music and styles. An absolutely riveting inside look into the creators of unique guitar sounds in rock today.
"Joy Division" - 2008 (Trailer)
Without Joy Division, there would be no New Order. Without New Order, there's a fair amount of new wave music that would never have been made.
Joy Division was one of those bands that had a super unique sound and, up until Ian Curtis's death, the band was on its way to skyrocketing popularity. This is a great view for those into the group (or those simply curious). As a fun companion, read Peter Hook's "Unknown Pleasures" book, which details the life and times of the band in more detail, as well as some of their more entertaining interactions with other bands on tour.
"Nas: Time Is Illmatic” - 2014 (Trailer)
Arguably one of the best rappers in the last 30 years, this documentary does a solid job of giving the viewer a glance into Nas's life, ending with a powerful moment where you find out that he put his father playing sax not only on the album, but on one of its most essential tracks too. A great documentary for any fan of hip hop.
This is by no means an extensive list, but it covers a lot of musical ground and these are just a handful of the ones I've actually seen. Others worth checking out: "Sonic Highways" (a HBO series with the Foo Fighters), "Maestro" about Larry Levan and the early days of house music in NYC, and "Hi-Tech Soul: The Creation of Techno Music."