15 Music Documentaries on Netflix That Will Change the Way You Listen to Music

Though there is a lot of Barbra Streisand to be found on Netflix, this documentary follows the star of 1976's A Star Is Born on a 14-city, 16-show tour, with behind-the-scene glimpses into the iconic performer's life on the road. As well as hearing a number of the star's legendary hits, you can also expect special guests to make appearances as well.

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This biographical documentary tells the story of the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, and his rise from an abandoned, impoverished child to a music legend, as well as his journey from rhythm and blues to funk. It's made with the cooperation of the Brown Estate, so you can expect plenty of exclusive and never-before-seen footage, interviews, and photographs of the "hardest working man in show business."

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Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards is about as rock and roll as you can get, and this intimate documentary allows access to all of his influences and struggles on the way to fame. Even if you know all of the band's hits, we guarantee you'll never get as intimate a look into the life of the Rolling Stones frontman.

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Leading up to her 2017 Super Bowl halftime performance, this documentary gives an intimate look into the life of Lady Gaga and the pop star's daily physical and emotional struggles. If you are a Gaga fan but don't actually know all that much about her personal life, then this is a must-watch.

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This fascinating documentary, which won an Oscar in 2014 for best documentary feature, offers a look at the people who are so rarely credited or even noticed: the backup vocalists who support some of music's greatest legends. Featuring longtime performers such as Darlene Love and Merry Clayton, filmmaker Morgan Neville shines an overdue spotlight on the artists who have helped make our favourite songs so great.

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Narrated by Johnny Depp and composed of concert footage, television appearances, and record company promo clips collected between 1966 and 1971, this documentary offers a previously unseen look into The Doors and their iconic frontman, Jim Morrison, who died in July 1971. The film even took home a Grammy Award for best long form video in 2011, so you know it's the real deal.

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In this documentary, Parks and Recreation's Rashida Jones covers the major milestones in the life and career of her father, Quincy Jones, the legendary 85-year-old producer who boasts an insane collection of Grammys. Though Quincy is also known for his many relationships, the film focuses on his marriage with his third wife and Rashida's mother, The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks actress Peggy Lipton, whom he is still close with today.

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This documentary offers an account of the life of jazz trumpeter Lee Morgan and his common-law wife, Helen Morgan, who was later convicted for his murder in 1972. Decades after serving her prison sentence for Lee's killing, the film allows Helen to reflect on their lives together and the legacy the musician left behind.

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In this shocking documentary, viewers are given the real story of the seemingly charmed Nat King Cole, who possessed an incredible natural talent yet lived in an age where there were few black stars in Hollywood and prejudice still left America segregated. The film features Cole's private journals and an exclusive interview with his widow, Maria Cole, as well as contributions from other family members and fellow performers.

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This Oscar-nominated biographical documentary tells the story of Nina Simone, a classically trained pianist, legendary recording artist, and trailblazing civil rights activist. Rare insight is given into the life of the controversial icon, all told through never-before-heard recordings, rare archival footage, and her best-known hits.

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What do Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Amy Winehouse, and Kurt Cobain all have in common? These music legends all died at the age of 27, and this fascinating documentary features never-before-seen footage and interviews with medical experts, music critics, and friends of the famous artists to help explain what led to this wild coincidence.

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Swiftie or not, there's no denying that Taylor Swift's Reputation tour was an absolute masterpiece, and if you couldn't make it to any of her shows in person, this documentary is almost as good as the real thing. From the sparkly costumes to the lavish production, the footage from Swift's fifth concert tour is sure to turn you into a superfan.

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If you know the Grateful Dead, then we're sure you've heard of Bob Weir, the guitarist and vocalist from Palo Alto, CA, who met Jerry Garcia one fortuitous night and formed one of the most eclectic bands of all time. This documentary gives an inside look into the life of Weir, featuring new interviews with Weir himself and his living band members, as well as wife Natascha, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh, John Perry Barlow, and several other musicians.

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Most people know that reggae icon Bob Marley survived an assassination attempt in Jamaica in 1976, but the mystery remains as to who exactly pulled the trigger. Though this first instalment in Netflix's ReMastered series revolves around the shooting and subsequent investigation, it also delves into the political suppression at the root of the reggae movement and the CIA's involvement in the case.

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Much like 20 Feet From Stardom, this documentary highlights the many backup artists who provide the music that allows legendary rock stars to shine. Various musicians share behind-the-scene stories of touring and reveal what exactly it takes to accompany some of the world's most iconic performers.

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