11. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

Wim Wenders unearths the septuagenarian carriers of Cuba's musical torch. Affecting stories from the likes of Ibrahim Ferrer, captured shortly before they began to shuffle off. Gorgeous in its own right and a reminder of the wealth of music that exists beneath the iceberg's Plimsoll Line. Would there have been a "world music" explosion without it? No. DE

12. The Beatles In America (1964)

The genius Maysles Brothers' dry run for Gimme Shelter is the "real" A Hard Days' Night, catching the Fabs in transit as they crack the States in 1964. Amazingly, they are funnier and more charismatic than Dick Lester ever made them appear. DE

13. Metallica: Some Kind Of Monster (2004)

Most unintentionally funny music doc ever. Metallica toil over album; singer James Hetfield does rehab; Lars Ulrich visits sacked guitarist Dave "Megadeth" Mustaine to crave forgiveness. Best bit: the meeting where possible album titles are discussed. On the chalk board: Satanic Cuckoo Clock. DE

14. I Am Trying To Break Your Heart (2002)

Sam Jones follows the ill-started Chicago group over the making of their fourth LP, Yankee Hotel Foxtrot and inadvertently captures them in meltdown both personally and politically. The Warner owned Reprise label say they don't hear a single etc. Wilco leave, taking their album with them, to Nonsuch, another Warners offshoot (so the label effectively pay for YFH twice). In the studio, tensions between Jeff Tweedy and guitarist/foil Jay Bennett over the mixing of the album run so high that Tweedy sacks Bennett. Much eye rolling and migraine headaches ensue. No one comes out of this very well, except of course the record. Yankee Hotel Foxtrot emerges from the mudslinging as the group's artistic and commercial high water mark. Whether all this is a victory for The Man or The Artist in the end is arguable, but as a fan it's fascinating to watch. JB

15. Standing In The Shadows Of Motown (2002)

Everything you want from a music doc: amazing music; brilliant characters; meticulously unearthed behind-the-scenes revelations. The old guys of Motown's Funk Brothers' backing band have their day in the sun, and get together in the here-and-now to replay the hits. DE

16. The Decline Of Western Civilization: The Metal Years (1988)

Dismissed as condescending and fatuous upon release, the second in Penelope Spheeris' Decline trilogy, documenting the evolving LA music scene, was championed by the music fans who could find it (metal and non-metal alike) as a perfectly portrait of the passion, idiocy, humour and pathetic tragedy, embodied by those who live the rock life at 100%, 24 hours a day. There are many highlights, from the hairspray posturing of coke-idiots Poison to Ozzy Osbourne's shaky hangover breakfast and W.A.S.P. guitarist Chris Holmes' drunken poolside interview but the true highlights remain the fans, in all their eager, penniless, idiotic enthusiasm for the scene.

17. The Filth And The Fury (2000)

Julien Temple's penance for the expressionistic/ mendacious Great Rock'N'Roll Swindle tells a more objective version of the Sex Pistols story. Surprise: it's no less garish, shocking or remarkable, even if there's no starring role for Malcolm McLaren's willy. DE

18. Heavy Metal Parking Lot (1986)

The simple ideas are often the best. Jeff Krulik and John Heyn's documentary short captures Judas Priest fans gearing up for a show in a Maryland enormodome. Still hilarious to this day, it depicts a rock era where denim ruled, cans of Bud were shotgunned and people said things like, "hey man, they should legalise drugs...that is a fact". RB

19. Meeting People Is Easy (1998)

Poor Radiohead. They're really popular and have to go on tour! And play in front of fans! Bastards! Rock doc as renunciation as the disorientated Oxonians try to get around the fame thing, post-OK Computer. Pity Q magazine's Ted Kessler, who has to try to interview a near catatonic Colin Greenwood, as Grant Gee's camera looks on. DE

20. The Kids Are Alright (1979)

The Who's status as one of the world's greatest live bands is confirmed during this tantalising mix of performances and interviews. The explosion at the end of their Smothers Brothers gig is still astonishing. It's a wonder anyone survived.