Music has always played an important part in cinema since the very beginning of the industry. The early films were silent but were accompanied by a pianist or even, in some large cities, a small orchestra in theaters. When recorded, synchronized sound began in 1927, it was a game-charger for the movies and the first sound feature film released, "The Jazz Singer" was, not surprisingly, a musical.
Over time, documentaries were made about music and the gifted artists who created these sounds. In recent years, this has exploded with a large number of movies about musicians, well-known, obscure or forgotten, in all genres have been filling cinemas and streaming channels.
Vulturehas put together a list of fifty of what they consider to be the best music documentaries of all time. First putting these selections together in 2015, they have updated this listing to include recent releases. These movies (which include a few concert films) are all important and fascinating documents. There are films which deeply explore what has made many of these popular musicians so vital; highlight professionals who had assisted singers and musicians with their careers and reveal talented artists who never had a real opportunity to shine in their lifetime yet remain highly influential.
The musical artists inducted in to this year's Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will be Foo Fighters, the Go-Go's, Jay-Z, Carole King, Todd Rundgren and Tina Turner. In order for a performer to be considered, at least twenty-five years must have passed since the musician’s first recordings were released, ensuring that their contribution to music has stood the test of time.
The induction ceremony will be held this year in-person on October 30th at Rocket Mortgage Field-House in Cleveland. The event will air on SiriusXM satelite radio and will be broadcast on HBO and HBO Max at a later date.
FOO FIGHTERS
After the tragic death of front man Kurt Cobain brought an end to the band, Nirvana in 1994, drummer Dave Grohl began a one-man project with him playing every instrument and performing all vocals during the recording of the tracks. He came up with the name "Foo Fighters" from a World War II term for "unidentified flying objects". Signing with Capitol Records, Grohl formed a band in order to go on tour to support the album with him now playing lead guitar and recruiting bassist, Nate Mendel, drummer William Goldsmith and Nirvana touring guitarist, Pat Smear joining as second guitarist. Now an official band, Foo Fighters began work together on a second album, "The Colour and the Shape" but during the recording, Grohl was unhappy with Goldsmith's work, replacing most of his drumming with Grohl's own. Not surprisingly, Goldsmith decided to leave the band with longtime touring drummer, Taylor Hawkins joining to replace him.
While tastes in genres have changed in popular music over the years, Foo Fighters have successfully kept the spirit of grunge-rock alive, recording ten albums with their latest, "Medicine at Midnight" released last February. And even though they also just released a side-project as Dee Gees with "Hail Satin", a five-song collection of their version of disco songs by Bee Gees and Andy Gibb, Foo Fighters are still all about rock & roll.
THE GO-GO'S
Whilethe Go-Go's may be hailed as being the first all-female band who wrote their own material and played their own instruments to top the U.S. Billboard album chart (and it is quite noteworthy), they really should be remembered for being just a great rock band. And while I think it's shameful that it took this long for them to be inducted, I am glad this deserving group is finally part of the Hall. Rising from the L.A. punk scene in the late 1970's, the Go-Go's first came together with vocalist, Belinda Carlisle, guitarist, Jane Wiedlin, bassist, Margot Olavarria and Elissa Bello on drums. Charlotte Caffey joined later playing lead guitar and keyboards and Gina Schock replaced Bello on drums in 1978. After Olavarria had to drop out of the band due to illness (or forced out, depending on who you ask), Kathy Valentine would fill in as bass guitar. It was during this time that the Go-Go's began to move away from punk and shifted to a power pop-rock sound.
A British tour as an opening act for SKA bands, The Specials and Madness helped the Go-Go's gain a cult following and a demo of "We Got The Beat" first started circulating. The Go-Go's signed to I.R.S. Records in 1981 and their debut album, "Beauty and the Beat" topped the U.S. charts for six weeks, selling over two million copies. Their follow-up albums, "Vacation" in 1982 and "Talk Show" in 1984 were well received but certainly did not reach the same heights as their debut. But the pressures of fame, creative differences and an overindulgence in drugs by some members would cause the Go-Go's to disband in 1985. However, time tends to heal all wounds and The Go-Go's first reunited in 1990 for a benefit concert before recording new tracks for a retrospective album in 1994. The band has continued to tour over the years and recorded one more studio album in 2001, "God Bless the Go-Go's". And a documentary film, "The Go-Go's" about the history of the band was released last year, directed by Allison Ellwood.
JAY-Z
Born Shawn Carter in New York City, he became known known professionally as Jay-Z, bringing exciting and influential sounds to rap beginning in the 1990's. Carter had an interest in music at an early age, freestyling and writing lyrics. Known as "Jazzy" in his neighborhood, he would later take on the name, "Jay-Z" in honor of his mentor, Jaz-O, a local rapper in Brooklyn. Jay-Z worked hard trying to make his career in music happen but couldn't get a record deal, even selling homemade CDs out of his car until he formed his own label, Roc-A-Fella Records with Damon Dash and Kareem Burke in 1995.
He released his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt" the following year with the popular record bringing him plenty of attention and critical acclaim. With a new distribution deal in place with Def Jam Records, Jay-Z would release a follow-up in 1997 with "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1." that was produced by Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and became another million seller. His next album, "Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life" would become his biggest success with the hit singles, "Can I Get A...", "Nigga What, Nigga Who" and "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" (which features the unexpected sample of "Hard Knock Life" from the Broadway musical, "Annie") helping the album sell over five million copies. He has become one of the world's best-selling music artists, selling over 125 million records and has won twenty-three career Grammy Awards. In addition to his remarkable achievement in music, Jay-Z realized that in order to gain even greater success, he should invest his wealth in other ventures. This lead him to creating a business empire that ranges from clothing lines, adult beverages, real estate, sport teams and media tech companies that has impressively made Jay-Z a billionaire.
CAROLE KING
Carole King began her career in music as a songwriter with then husband, Gerry Goffin as they wrote songs together at home following their day jobs. Their first hit was "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" (performed by the Shirelles) which reached number one on the U.S pop chart in 1960, allowing the couple to quit those day jobs. The New York-based team (with King composing the music and Goffin writing the lyrics) went on to write dozens of pop hits as one of the staff songwriters at the Brill Building which included "The Loco-Motion", "Up on the Roof", "I'm into Something Good", "One Fine Day", "Pleasant Valley Sunday" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman". The ending of her marriage to Goffin in 1968 and a move to Los Angeles lead King to begin writing and recording her own songs as an artist.
After being a part of a short-lived rock group and the commercial disappointment of her debut album, "Writer" in 1970, King broke through in a major way with her follow-up, "Tapestry". The album became an instant classic with new songs, "It's Too Late" and "I Feel the Earth Move" and her versions of previous hits she had co-written, "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman". King would enjoy more success as a recording artist, live performer, film composer and a bit of acting. A musical based on King's life and career, "Beautiful: The Carole King Musical" opened on Broadway in 2013 and became a popular hit. Having already been inducted in to the Hall (along with Goffin) as a writer back in 1990, this amazing talent is finally being recognized for her outstanding work as a solo performer.
TODD RUNDGREN
The prolific musician, songwriter and producer, Todd Rundgren developed a great love of music, having been exposed to a wide range from a very early age. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he taught himself how to play the guitar and after he graduated from high school, joined a local blues rock band. But Rundgren left after several months to form his first rock band, Nazz in 1967. The band was signed to Atlantic Records and recorded three albums ("Nazz", "Nazz Nazz" and "Nazz III") with their most notable songs being the Rundgren composed, "Open My Eyes" and "Hello, It's Me" from their debut. But by 1969, Rundgren had outgrown this band, moving towards piano-driven material after being inspired by singer/songwriter, Laura Nyro, and Nazz came to an end.
Rundgren moved to New York, getting involved in the club scene in the village, and met producer, Albert Grossman who offered him a job as a recording engineer. The then-twenty-one year old impressed with his skills and worked his way in to some record production. Rundgren soon wanted to return to performing and recorded his debut solo album, "Runt" in 1970. His first charting song was "I Saw The Light" from his 1972 album, "Something/Anything?", reaching the top-twenty on the U.S. pop chart. But the biggest hit song in his solo career was the follow-up single; a new version of the Nazz tune, "Hello, It's Me" that made it to number five. Rundgren went on to start another band, Utopia in 1973 with the progressive rock group recording nine studio albums with their most high-profile songs included "Love is the Answer" (made popular as a cover by England Dan & John Ford Coley in 1979), "Set Me Free" and "The Very Last Time". In addition to his distinguished career as a musician, Rundgren had become a sought-after producer having worked on albums for Hall & Oates, New York Dolls, Cheap Trick, XTC, The Tubes and Grand Funk Railroad.
TINA TURNER
Previously inducted in 1991 with her former musical partner and husband, Ike Turner, Tina Turner is being honored for her work as a solo artist. Following the end of her well-documented, tumultuous marriage to Ike in 1976, Turner was left heavily in debt and essentially had to start over. She appeared on television shows, played conventions and Vegas to settle what was owed but Turner still had a dream; she wanted to be a rock & roll artist. She struggled with her recording career, releasing a couple of albums on United Artists Records which included a brief foray in to disco that failed to chart, but kept her name out there by touring extensively. In 1979, Roger Davies agreed to manage Turner's career after catching a performance and worked towards making her become seen as a viable musical artist instead of a nostalgia act.
First, she recorded covers of the Temptations' "Ball Of Confusion" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" that found great success in Europe. Based on this, Capitol Records decided to sign her, giving her only two weeks to record the album that would become "Private Dancer". The first single, "What's Love Got To Do With It" (a song Turner disliked but was talked in to recording) became her major breakthrough song, reaching number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1984. "Private Dancer" would go on to sell over ten million copies across the globe and win Turner three Grammy Awards including Record of the Year. Turner continued to have great success as a recording artist and performer with many popular tours including her final one in 2009, "Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour". The singer retired from performing at the end of that tour, which was one of the highest-grossing of all time, bringing an extraordinary end to an incredible career.
The latest single from Lady Gaga's "Chromatica" is "911". The song deals with mental health issues and the medication, olanzapine to help them cope which the singer has to taken. The music video for the track (directed by filmmaker, Tarsem Singh) perfectly merges her love of offbeat imagery and elaborate, quirky costumes with acting performance which she has put on display successfully in the movie remake of "A Star Is Born".
It's hard to believe but the Welsh soul singer, Tom Jones turned eighty a few months ago in June. Since his breakout hit, "It's Not Unusual" in 1965, Jones has enjoyed worldwide success and acclaim with many popular songs like "What's New Pussycat", "Delilah" and "She's a Lady". And he's still quite active, serving as a coach on the British version of "The Voice" and making concert appearances. To celebrate this legendary singer, here is a very unusual live appearance I found of Jones performing his hit tune, "It's Not Unusual" amongst dancers in a cheesy, wild animal setting:
Marianne Faithfull, the British vocalist, has been in the news recently due to the disclosure that she has recovered from COVID-19. This is the latest of many health issues the seventy-three year old performer has suffered throughout her life. But one thing is certain; Faithfull is tough and a survivor. She began singing professionally in 1964 as a folk music performer in coffeehouses in London. Her first opportunity came when she met Andrew Loog Oldham, the manager of the Rolling Stones at a party for the band. He produced Faithfull's first hit record, "As Tears Go By" that he co-wrote with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Even though she was married and had a baby, she would leave her husband for Jagger. Faithfull would enjoy a successful music career, make a few films and experimented with drugs.
By the time her relationship with Jagger ended in 1970, she was a heroin addict and lost custody of her son. Faithfull lived on the streets for a couple of years before friends helped get her in to rehab. She would return to music but her voice, once sweet and melodic, was now weathered and raspy. She released "Broken English" in 1979, a collection of punk and new-wave songs, that became a welcome comeback and now considered a classic recording. Listen to the title track and watch Faithfull in action:
And to close this out, I will give you the quarantine version of the Go-Go's performing their classic hit, "We Got The Beat" live on the "Today" show on September 15th. These ladies still got it, rocking out together while isolated at home, and it's pure magic. Also be sure to check out their documentary, "The Go-Go's" on Showtime from filmmaker, Alison Ellwood which gives a balanced account of their wild and crazy times as the most successful all-female rock band of all time:
Belinda Carlisle was the lead vocalist for the all-female, new-wave-rock group, The Go-Go's who burned brightly immediately after the release of their debut, "Beauty and the Beat" in 1981 before self-extinguishing shortly after their third 1984 album, "Talk Show". But the L.A. born and raised singer went on to have even wider acclaim as a solo artist with several charting pop singles that made a phenomenal impact worldwide.
During her time with the band, Carlisle was suffering from drug addiction and an eating disorder which was just one factor to the initial demise of The Go-Go's in 1985. After completing a rehab stint, she decided to continue her career in music as a solo performer. With former Go-Go's member, Charlotte Caffey on board to help contribute to the project, Carlisle's debut, "Belinda" was released in 1986. The collection featured a sunny 60's California vibe and was an immediate hit with the first single, "Mad About You".
Carlisle's follow-up, "Heaven On Earth" in 1987 featured a slicker power-pop sound and would become the biggest success of her career. With the number one U.S. hit, "Heaven Is a Place On Earth", the Diane Warren penned, "I Get Weak" and "Circle In The Sand" reaching the top-ten in several countries, the album went on to sell over four million copies.
"Runaway Horses", Carlisle's 1989 third album, was more modestly received compared to her previous release and the record did best internationally with "Leave a Light On", "Summer Rain" and the title track becoming top-forty singles throughout Europe.
In 1990, Carlisle and The Go-Go's reunited to tour to promote their greatest hits record while Carlisle released her fourth solo album, "Live Your Life Be Free" the following year. The record was another moderate success in Europe yet failed to chart in the U.S.
Carlisle released a few more albums, including a set of French-language songs, "Voila" in 2007 and her last record-to-date, "Wilder Shores", a 2017 collection of Sikh chants, but none have reached the heights of her previous pop success.
The now sixty year old singer finally became completely sober in 2005 and began to practice Nichiren Buddhism, vegetarianism and yoga. She had continued to go on the road with The Go-Go's over the years and the group made their apparent final tour together in 2016. Carlisle has been married to film producer, Morgan Mason (son of actor, James Mason) since 1986 and they have a son, James Duke. Here are a couple of my favorite songs from this iconic pop vocalist:
It is no secret that I love female vocalists, so this post is in honor of the ladies who gathered to form a group and brought their voices together to create some sweet, wonderful and timeless music. Here are just a few of my favorite all-girl groups:
The Go-Go's are on the road promoting the thirtieth anniversary of their 1981 debut album, "Beauty And The Beat". I saw them on their stop in Los Angeles on August 17th at the Greek Theater.
The ladies marched out to the sound of Foreigner's "Hot Blooded" and looking not much different from when they first came on to the scene. With the original line-up still intact; Kathy Valentine on bass, drummer Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey on keyboards/lead guitar, the newly, bleached blonde, Jane Wiedlin on guitar and lead vocalist, Belinda Carlisle who came out barefoot and ready to rock.
I have seen the Go-Go's many times over the years and they still put on a high-energy, good time show, doing not only most of the songs from their first album but a few tunes from their other two albums, "Vacation" and "Talk Show".
This time the girls ventured out to do other artist's songs as well as some of the member's solo efforts such as Carlisle's "Mad About You", Jane's hit song with Sparks, "Cool Places" and the Rolling Stones tune, "Mother's Little Helper" in which Belinda got to sarcastically sing the line "What a drag it is getting old" as today just happened to be her birthday. During the encore, a cake was brought out and the audience sang "happy birthday" to her and she looked visibly touched by the moment.
Here are a few songs from The Go-Go's first album, which were performed that night:
"We Got The Beat" - The Go-Go's (1981)
"This Town" - The Go-Go's (1981)
"How Much More" - The Go-Go's (1981)
Enjoy the music video of The Go-Go's first hit song as they were one of first bands to have MTV help break them out:
This latest installment is dedicated to the first time we heard these ladies who rock:
THE GO-GO'S - "BEAUTY AND THE BEAT" - (1981)
This all-girl group started as a punk-rock band in 1978 that included Belinda Carlisle on vocals and Jane Wiedlin on guitar and vocals. Later, Charlotte Caffey joined the band on lead guitar and keyboards. Drummer, Gina Schock and bassist, Kathy Valentine soon followed, replacing original band members.
This current line-up moved to a new wave rock sound and signed with I.R.S. Records in 1981 where they released their debut album. "Beauty & The Beat" was a surprise hit and it topped the U.S. charts for six weeks and sold over two million copies. The Go-Go's were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
The band went on to record two more albums, "Vacation" (1982) and "Talk Show" (1984) before breaking up due to personality conflicts, creative differences and drug addiction.
The Go-Go's reunited in 1990, released one more studio album, "God Bless The Go-Go's" (2001) and has continued to tour together many times over the years.
The Go-Go's are considered to one of the most successful all-female bands of all time.
The Bangles were the other successful all-female band in the 1980's. The group formed in 1981 and was called The Bangs with Susanna Hoffs on vocals and guitar, Annette Zilinskas on bass and sisters, Vicki and Debbie Peterson on guitar and drums respectively.
A legal issue forced the band to change their name and they became The Bangles and released an EP in 1982. Shortly after, Ms Zilinskas left to focus on her own project and was replaced by Michael Steele.
In 1984, the band signed with Columbia Records and released, "All Over the Place". It featured the singles, "Hero Takes the Fall" and "Going Down To Liverpool" which got good reviews and created some buzz but not a lot of radio play.
It did catch the attention of another artist, Prince who was inspired to give them a song for their next album, "Different Light". That song took them to number two on the U.S. charts but their next single, "Walk Like An Egyptian" took them to number one around the world.
Despite all four band members equally contributing songs and singing lead on their albums, it was perceived that Ms Hoffs was the lead singer of the band. This was the direct result of the choice of singles released by the record label and it did cause friction amongst the group. They released one more hit album, "Everything" (1988) before putting an end to the Bangles and going their separate ways.
The Bangles got back to together in 1999 for a song on the soundtrack of "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" which was directed by Jay Roach, who was now Ms Hoffs's husband. The band went on tour and later released another album, "Doll Revolution (W/Dvd)" (2003). Ms Steele left the group in 2005 but the Bangles still continue to tour with an unofficial band replacement, Abby Travis.
This was the song that the Purple One gave the group under the pseudonym, "Christopher":
Belinda Carlisle was born in Hollywood, California and raised in Thousand Oaks. She was a cheerleader in high school and at the age of nineteen, she left home determined to become a star.
She started off as drummer in the punk band, The Germs and calling herself, "Dottie Danger" before leaving to form her own band, The Go-Go's.
After leaving The Go-Go's in 1985, Belinda Carlisle decided to embark on a solo career. With the assistance of Lindsey Buckingham of Fleetwood Mac, Andy Taylor of Duran Duran, Susanna Hoffs of the Bangles and former Go-Go's member, Charlotte Caffey, she released her debut album. "Belinda" was successful, selling over a half a million copies in the U.S. and the first single went to number three on the charts.
Ms Carlisle had many more top ten hits and went on to releasing a total of seven albums which includes her last, "Voila (Bonus CD)" (2007). It has the very American artist singing French chansons and pop standards.
She has been married to Morgan Mason, son of the actor, James Mason, since 1986 and they have a son. Ms Carlisle has just written her autobiography," Lips Unsealed: A Memoir" that came out this June.
". I saw them on their stop in Los Angeles on August 17th at the Greek Theater.
" and looking not much different from when they first came on to the scene. With the original line-up still intact; Kathy Valentine on bass, drummer Gina Schock, Charlotte Caffey on keyboards/lead guitar, the newly, bleached blonde, Jane Wiedlin on guitar and lead vocalist, Belinda Carlisle who came out barefoot and ready to rock.
", Jane's hit song with Sparks, "Cool Places" and the Rolling Stones tune, "
" in which Belinda got to sarcastically sing the line "What a drag it is getting old" as today just happened to be her birthday. During the encore, a cake was brought out and the audience sang "happy birthday" to her and she looked visibly touched by the moment.
" was a surprise hit and it topped the U.S. charts for six weeks and sold over two million copies. The Go-Go's were nominated for a Grammy Award for Best New Artist.
" (1984) before breaking up due to personality conflicts, creative differences and drug addiction.
" (2001) and has continued to tour together many times over the years.
". It featured the singles, "Hero Takes the Fall" and "Going Down To Liverpool" which got good reviews and created some buzz but not a lot of radio play.
". That song took them to number two on the U.S. charts but their next single, "Walk Like An Egyptian" took them to number one around the world.
" (1988) before putting an end to the Bangles and going their separate ways.
" (2003). Ms Steele left the group in 2005 but the Bangles still continue to tour with an unofficial band replacement, Abby Travis.
" was successful, selling over a half a million copies in the U.S. and the first single went to number three on the charts.
" (2007). It has the very American artist singing French chansons and pop standards.
" that came out this June.
