The Top Three 60s Rock Music Documentaries

These three 60s rock music documentaries capture the spirit of their era along with the music. The explosion of rock music in the 1960s led to a massive array of concert films and band profiles, but only a handful of these many documentaries have truly stood the test of time. These 60s rock music documentaries pack a generous serving of flower child atmosphere, as well as incredible performances of classic tunes that are sure to get you grooving. This powerful trio of documentary masterpieces show the music of the hippie movement at its birth, at its end, and its peak. Read on, and count down the top three 60s rock documentaries.

Monterey Pop

This 1968 concert film captures the moment when the 60s rock music that would prove so crucial to the hippie movement began to bloom. The Monterey Pop Festival had a bill of acts that ran the gamut from harmony-driven pop (Simon and Garfunkel, The Mamas And The Papas) to iconic vocalists (Otis Redding, Janis Joplin) to instrumentalists that broke innovative new ground (Hugh Masekela,Ravi Shankar.) Thanks to the variety of sounds and styles that make their way into this documentary, Monterey Pop is an excellent introduction for newcomers curious about the music of the 1960s, and confirmed fans will find this a powerful reminder of the energy and awe-inspiring talents of the artists of the time.

Fact: For more excellent 60s rock music documentaries from director D.A. Pennebaker, try his seminal Bob Dylan portrait "Don't Look Back," or its 1997 companion piece "65 Revisited."

Gimme Shelter