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.

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.