See the 7 best movies about music & musicians on Netflix

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Some of the musical gold mined in Muscles Shoals, Ala.

Even if documentaries are not your idea of something to watch after a long day’s drive, Netflix has a number of them about music and musicians that may surprise and entertain you. All are filled with some, “I never knew that!” moments that make the investment of a couple of hours of your time pay off.

Here are the seven best of the bunch:

Ain’t In It for My Health: A Film About Levon Helm: Filmed at Helm’s home in Woodstoick, NY, the film follows him as he records a long-awaited studio album.


CSNY: Deja Vu: David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash & Neil Young have produced some of the most popular and most controversial songs in rock history. This film talks about most of them and how they came to pass.

The Other One: The Long, Strange Trip of Bob WeirJerry Garcia may be the best known member of the Grateful Dead, but rhythm guitarist Bob Weird helped give the band its unique sound and much of its musical cachet. This is his story.

History of the Eagles: This two-part documentary is about one of America’s most successful rock bands, which also was included on the list of Country Music Television’s 40 Greatest Men of Country Music.

Muscle Shoals: This small Alabama town on the banks of the Tennessee River, seems the least likely place on Earth to become home to some of the most important music from the 1960s to today. Many of the biggest names in modern music explain how that happened.

B.B. King: The Life of Riley: Up until his death earlier this year, B.B. King was the undisputed king of the blues. Like Muscle Shoals, this flick contains a slew of musicians talking about and praising King.

Rush: Beyond the Lighted Stage: Together for 40 years, this three-man Canadian band has created a faithful following attracted by its musicianship and because it is not like any other band on the planet. This flick shows why.

And, here are a few more to consider streaming:

  • Austin To Boston
  • Paul Williams: Still Alive
  • Upside Down: The Creation Records Story
  • Marley
  • Last Watz
  • Jimi Hendricks: Hear My Train a Comin’
  • Beware of Mr. Baker
  • Sunset Strip