The 10 best movies about musicians and bands.

Ray.

This 2004 movie about the life of legendary singer and pianist Ray Charles was comedian Jamie Fox’s breakout role, proving his mettle as a serious actor. ‘Ray’ was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including a Best Actor nomination for Foxx, and won two. His portrayal of the blind Charles was so thorough that he wore prosthetics so he was without sight, himself, and played all the piano scenes by himself.

The Doors.

This 1991 classic film covered the story of the quintessential American rock band, The Doors. Val Kilmer killed it as the brooding and complex genius Jim Morrison. It was directed by the iconic Oliver Stone, and reportedly Morrison’s remaining family was not too pleased with the movie!

Selena.

Out of 12,000 actresses that auditioned for the part of Mexican American singer, Selena Quintanilla-Perez, a young and unproven Jennifer Lopez won the part. She did a fantastic job playing the Grammy Award winning Selena, who was murdered at only 23 years old by the President of her own fan club.

What’s Love Got to Do With It.

Angela Bassett turned in a masterful performance as Tina Turner in this 1993 film. She lived and breathed Turner’s pain and desperation over the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of husband Ike Turner, played by an equally adept Laurence Fishburn. Bassett was nominated for multiple Academy Awards and won a Golden Globe for best actress, the first African American female ever to achieve that honor.

The Devil and Daniel Johnson.

Few people knew about the underground punk singer Daniel Johnson until this 2005 biographical film brought him to mainstream awareness. Cursed with bipolar disorder and “a demonic self-obsession,” Johnson always channeled his furious pain into his music and artwork, chronicled in The Devil and Daniel Johnson.

Walk the Line.

Considered one of the best movies about a musician ever made, the life story of the dark and complex Johnny Cash was brilliantly acted by Joaquin Phoenix. The movie’s depth and storyline was enhanced by his relationship with singer June Carter Cash, played by Reese Witherspoon. They both took their roles seriously, learning to play all the instruments and singing all of Cash and Carter’s songs in the movie. They both were nominated for Academy Awards and Witherspoon won a Best Actress award.

Buena Vista Social Club.

Who can forget this rich, colorful, and musically enchanting 1997 documentary about old-guard Cuban musicians? Reviving the music of his native island nation after Communist suppression for decades, musician and composer Ray Cooder’s documentary about assembling the best and brightest from Cuban music is a marvel of cinematography and a tribute to music history.

8 Mile.

Eminem’s biographical movie debut exposed the underground hip hop scene in gritty and impoverished Detroit. The circumstances of his humble beginnings in the movie, the conflicting relationship with his mother and girlfriend, painful navigation of the black world of hip hop as a white rapper, and ascension to street credibility, were all based on Eminem’s life.

Purple Rain.

Can you believe it’s been 30 years since an obscure (and odd) musician from Minnesota, one Prince Rogers Nelson, played the Kid in this semi-autobiographical movie? He’s since dropped The Revolution like a bad habit, but Prince is now one of the most famous musicians in the world after a storied career.

La Bamba.

A baby-faced 20-year old Lou Diamond Philips played a teenaged Richie Valens, the Latino rock pioneer who died in a plane crash in North Dakota at only 17. It was considered “the day the music died,” as Buddy Holly and “The Big Bopper,” were also aboard the plane. La Bamba was nominated for Golden Globe Award for best Motion Picture Drama and launched Philip’s career.