Binge Guide: 5 Great Rockumentaries to Stream Before 'Vinyl'

Boasting the participation of legendary rocker Mick Jagger, as well as venerated New Yorker (and well-known rock buff) Martin Scorsese, the new HBO music drama Vinyl promises a mostly authentic depiction of the ‘70s NYC music scene from two of the men who lived through it. And sure enough, several real-life bands — among them, Led Zeppelin and Abba — are referenced throughout the two-hour series premiere, which debuts on HBO on Feb. 14. Because this is also a work of fiction, though, expect certain liberties to be taken with characters and events. To get the real story on what was happening in the music world before and during the tumultuous time that Vinyl depicts, stream these five foot-tapping rockumentaries. Just be sure to play them loud.

George Harrison: Living in the Material World (Currently streaming on HBOGo and HBO Now)
When he’s not making major motion pictures like The Wolf of Wall Street and Shutter Island, Scorsese has devoted his time to chronicling the lives and careers of some of America’s most famous musicians. His cinematic discography as a director and/or producer includes a portrait of Eric Clapton, the epic miniseries The Blues and the American Masters special, No Direction Home, which recounted Bob Dylan’s early recording career. Sadly, none of those rockumenatries are currently available to stream, but you can use your HBO subscription to view this four-hour look at the so-called “Quiet Beatle,” George Harrison. While his time with the Fab Four is given its due, the most compelling material comes after Beatlemania ended in 1970, and Harrison embarked on a solo career that explored his ever-evolving spiritual life through song. Far from closing himself off from the world, he maintained a high public profile throughout the ‘70s, organizing one of the earliest all-star charity concerts, 1971’s Concert for Bangladesh.

Keith Richards: Under the Influence (Currently streaming on Netflix)
Jagger’s right-hand man (and occasional nemesis) within the Rolling Stones recounts the band’s extraordinary career, and his seemingly inhuman longevity, from his own perspective. The guitar guru discusses how the Stones’ sound grew out of their childhood love of the blues, as well as their heady days on the road, touring America and the rest of the world. So far, the Rolling Stones haven’t shown up inside the world of Vinyl, and we don’t envy the actors that would have to portray Mick and Keith in their youthful prime. (For the record, Jagger’s son, James, appears in the series, but as a fictional rocker, rather than his famous dad.) When Richards’s counterpart is inevitably cast though, at least he’ll have this documentary to watch for reference.

Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’ (Currently streaming on PBS.org and Netflix)
The long-running PBS documentary series, American Masters, has a wealth of musical biographies amongst its 30-year archives, including profiles of James Brown, Marvin Gaye and Joni Mitchell. But this 2013 portrait of Jimi Hendrix is the one that’s most readily available online. Director Bob Smeaton scours surviving interviews with the iconic guitarist, who died in 1970, and uses those archival clips to have Hendrix “narrate” his own story, fleshed out with testimonials from musical luminaries like Paul McCartney.

Tom Petty: Runnin’ Down a Dream (Currently streaming on Amazon Prime)
Similar to the West Coast and East Coast conclaves of rap music that sprung up in the ‘90s, both coasts had their individual schools of rock during the ‘70s. For now, Vinyl is specifically concerned with the New York sound, so allow Runnin’ Down a Dream to fill you in on what was going on out in sunny California. Directed by Peter Bogdanovich, the four-hour documentary specifically profiles Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who technically got their start in Florida, but claim L.A. as home. Certainly, their slow-jam sound is closely identified with Los Angeles, where they also recorded their biggest hits, like “American Girl” and “Free Fallin.’” A sometimes actor (he had a recurring role on Mike Judge’s late, great animated series, King of the Hill) Petty could potentially cameo on Vinyl’s second season when Richie decides he needs a break from New York’s harsh winters.

Muscle Shoals (Currently streaming on Netflix)
Jagger is one of the talking heads featured in Greg “Freddy" Camalier’s love letter to the titular Alabama-based recording studio, where the Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin and Steve Winwood recorded some of the best rock and soul tracks ever. Originally formed in 1969, the place quickly became famous for the world-renowned “Muscle Shoals” sound that numerous bands sought out in the ‘70s. (When you get your groove on to “Brown Sugar,” that’s the Muscle Shoals sound at work.)