Before, rock movies and concerts can only be watched on VHS tapes or regular television. Most of the time, the pictures of those shows can be faded, and the sounds are filled with hisses and pops. But with the advancement of technology, we can now enjoy watching our favorite classic rock bands and artists on their concerts or interviews on DVDs which can be bought in stores or can be streamed online as well.
If you’re into classic rock and you’d like to watch your favorite rock bands and artists on concerts, tours, and interviews, or you want to know more about their lives and music, then you’re in the right place. Today, we are going to give you 25 classic rock DVDs that you don’t want to miss.
1. What Is Classic Rock?
If you want to know the definition of classic rock, or if you want to know if it’s a genre, a radio format, or music from a certain period, then you should watch this special interest DVD. This is a documentary made by Daniel Sarkissian. He traveled the world and interviewed iconic artists to be able to define and explain what classic rock is.
2. Inside: Credence Clearwater Revival
This one is an absolute review and documentary about the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival which is directed by Bob Carruthers. You will be able to watch in this DVD an in-depth review with bassist Stu Cook who reminisces through every Clearwater album to review the music and its impact. This documentary also features rare concert footages and television performances from the archives. It is one of the most comprehensive reviews of the work of an American legend out there.
3. Classic Albums: The Doors
This DVD features interviews with the three surviving members of The Doors namely, Ray Manzarek, Robby Krieger, and John Densmore. It also features Bruce Botnick, their original engineer, musicians Perry Farell and Henry Rollins, and many more. Aside from the interviews, this DVD also includes new instrumental demonstrations of songs from the album with Robby Krieger playing slide and flamenco guitar, and as well as the story behind “Moonlight Drive” which was cut from the album and then appeared in their second album in a different arrangement. This documentary is directed by Bob Smeaton.
4. Classic Albums: The Who: Who’s Next
This DVD features the songs and story “Who’s Next”, which is The Who’s classic album that was released in 1971. This album, for many people, is the greatest proof of the songwriting talent of Pete Townshend and the musical power of The Who. You will be able to find out in their interviews here how the group came to record the album. It features group members Pete Townshend, John Entwistle, and Roger Daltrey, together with contributions by those who were close to them during their recording.
5. Classic Albums: Cream – Disraeli Gears
Cream was the first true supergroup of rock. It’s a power trio that combines the extraordinary talents of musicians Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, and Eric Clapton. They became the template for lots of hard rock acts of the 70s and even to this day, this band remains a huge influence on the genre. Disraeli Gears is their second album and it is where they moved from the blues into hard-driving, psychedelic pop. This DVD features the songs in that album and as well as archival live footage. Aside from that,it also includes interviews with Bruce, Baker, and Clapton, together with lyricist Pete Brown.
6. Def Leppard: Hysteria
Hysteria is one of the albums of Def Leppard that brought them worldwide superstardom in 1987. This album sold more than 17 million copies and produced 7 hit singles. This DVD takes a look at each track and as well as the making of the album. It features interviews with Joe Elliott, Rick Allen, Phil Collen, and Rick Savage who tell the story about the original multitrack tapes. It provides an exceptional insight into the making of a record which topped the charts for two years.
7. Classic Albums: Meat Loaf: Bat Out of Hell
This DVD features the songs and story of the Bat Out of Hell album by Meat Loaf. When the album was released in 1977, there were an estimated 30 million copies sold, making it one of the top 5 biggest selling albums of all time. When you watch this DVD, you will be able to know the remarkable story of the Bat Out of Hell album which is told in interviews by its leading contributors such as Meat Loaf himself, composer Jim Steinman, record producer Todd Rundgren, and many more who helped with creating the album. It also features archive footage and live performances.
8. Classic Albums: Steely Dan – Aja
This DVD features Aja, an album by Steely Dan which was released in 1977. Steely Dan is a pop/jazz band formed by Donald Fagen and Walter Becker in the early 70s. Aja was their biggest selling album that reached number 3 in the U.S. Billboard chart and it also spent a year in the Top 40. In this DVD, you’ll be able to watch Becker and Fagen recall the history of the Aja album. It also includes interviews with people who helped work on Aja such as Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers who did backing vocals on this album.
9. Classic Albums: Jimi Hendrix: Electric Ladyland
This DVD tells the story of Electric Ladyland, an album by Jimi Hendrix. It features words, music, rare archival film footage, and a contemporary diary which was kept by one of the employees of Jimi Hendrix. Some of the contributors in creating this documentary are Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience. This 75 minutelong show will give you insights about the life, work, and musical genius of a rock music legend.
10. Classic Albums – Phil Collins: Face Value
This DVD features the first solo record of Phil Collins titled Face Value. It was released in 1981 and it launched him as a solo artist. It immediately became a worldwide hit, and it was number 1 when it entered the British charts. It also spent about 6 years in the Top 75, selling 12 million copies as well. In this documentary, you will be able to watch some unseen performances of Phil Collins, and as well as rare home movies, photographs, and documents from his own private archives. It also includes insights into the music from different musicians who worked on the album.
11. Guns ‘n’ Roses – Appetite for Destruction
This documentary features some unseen archive footage of Guns ‘n’ Roses’. It includes rare performances which were previously unavailable on film and as well as the honestthoughts on the album by Izzy Stradlin, the band’s guitarist. This is also an independent and critical review of their album, Appetite for Destruction. This is directed by Bob Carruthers.
12. Led Zeppelin – Reflections
This is a unique documentary film that features rare footage of Led Zeppelin in performance and on tour during their tour in Australia in 1972. It includes honest insights of the band from television and radio archives around the world. You will also see and hear in this film the first-hand accounts of insiders from the Led Zeppelin camp including their bodyguard Michael Francis, and their publicist BP Fallon.
13. Pink Floyd – The Wall
This documentary is a feature film about the 11th studio album by Pink Floyd called The Wall which was released in 1979. According to Roger Waters, it is an ambitious double album spectacular and a spectacular live show. It is filled with praise and subjected to the most argumentative criticism imaginable. But keep in mind that this documentary is not endorsed by and is not an official release of Pink Floyd.
14. The Making of the Dark Side of the Moon-Pink Floyd
This is a documentary directed by Matthew Longfellow. It will show you a detailed look at the making of the biggest album in the history of progressive rock which is The Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd. This is one of the best-selling albums of all time and if you want to know how it has been made, then this DVD is perfect for you to watch.
15. Pink Floyd – Up Close and Personal
This is documentary is all about Pink Floyd and it is directed by Bob Carruthers. In this documentary, you will be able to watch first-hand accounts from Pink Floyd insiders including Clare Torry who sang on Dark Side of the Moon. If you’re a fan of Pink Floyd and you’d like to know more about them, then this is the perfect documentary for you to watch.
16. Queen: Greatest Video Hits
This DVD includes two discs that have lots of promotional videos of Queen. The first disc features the beginning of Queen’s career through the1980s and it also includes songs such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Another One Bites the Dust, We Will Rock You, and a lot of more. Disc 2, on the other hand, shows Queen’s journey in the 1980s. This DVD is a must-have for every Queen fan out there.
17. David Bowie: Ziggy Stardust
This documentary is a definitive independent review of Ziggy Stardust, an all-time classic album by David Bowie. You can watch here rare interviews with Bowie together with the people who contributed to making the album. Aside from that, it also includes in-depth interviews with Trevor Bolder and Woody Woodmansey.
18. 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concerts
This DVD will show you the once-in-a-lifetime, historic rock concert and five-time Emmy-nominated HBO exclusive special. This is the rock ‘n’ roll royalty that was held at Madison Square Garden on October 29 and 30, 2009. It is referred to as the best concert ever where rock ‘n’ roll history was made. This concert is in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This DVD was directed by Joel Gallen and it stars Mick Jagger, Fergie, and Bruce Springsteen.
19. The Van Halen Story: The Early Year
This documentary is all about the early years of the classic rock band Van Halen. It will show you the rise of four young musicians from the years their band was formed to becoming a worldwide phenomenon. The story of the band was told by their fellow musicians, producers, childhood friends, and the band members themselves. Aside from interviews, this documentary also features rare footage and never-before-seen photos of Van Halen.
20. Journey: Greatest Hits 1 & 2
This DVD includes two discs which feature the greatest hits of Journey. It combines the multi-platinum selling 1988 hits collection from the AOR superstars with its 2011 sequel. If you’re a big fan of the Journey, then this DVD is a must-have for you. It will enable you to listen to all the best songs by Journey.
21. The Kids Are Alright
This documentary directed by Jeff Stein offers an inside look at the legendary rock group, The Who. It features concert performances and interviews. Aside from that, it also includes the last performance of the band’s drummer, Keith Moon, before he died. This documentary will give you a view into the development of The Who from a wild pop band into the classic rock icon they are in the present time.
22. Bob Dylan – 1978-1989: Both Ends of the Rainbow
This documentary film features the most controversial period of Bob Dylan’s career. It reviews the years from late 1978 to 1989. It includes rare footage, live and studio versions of the most essential songs, and as well as exclusive interviews. This documentary will give you the most detailed document about the 1980s Bob Dylan.
23. Legends of the Canyon: Classic Artists
This is a documentary that features the story of the beginning of rock music produced in the garden of Hollywood Hills, Laurel Canyon. There are lots of rock music’s legendary artists of the late 1960s who created the anthems of a generation in these hills. If you want to know who they are, then you should watch this documentary directed by John Brewer.
24. Fifty by Four – Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
In this DVD, you’ll be able to watch the incredible story of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. It includes exclusive interviews with CSNY, rare footage, and many more. It is the story of CSNY, showing their breakthroughs and breakdowns, and of course, their incredible music. Aside from that, it also features exclusive interviews with the people who contributed to their career through the years.
25. Paul McCartney and Wings: The Rockshow Projects – Wings Over America Live
This one is an epic concert film that features Wings Over the World tour, which is the largest scale tour that Paul McCartney and Wings undertook as a band in 1975 and 1976. From this tour came the Wings over America triple live album. If you want to know more about that world tour, then this is the best DVD you can watch.
These are the 25 classic rock DVDs that you don’t want to miss if you love classic rock. All of these are great to watch and they are also wonderful to be added to your classic rock collections.