A well-made music biopic has the power to open new audiences up to artists and bands they would never otherwise have known, and plenty of iconic musicians have yet to receive the big screen treatment. The recent success of movies such as Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis or the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown led me to wonder what other great musicians would benefit from having their life stories depicted in a film. With this in mind, I considered some of my favorite musicians and pondered whose compelling life stories would make a great movie.

The best biopics capture the essence of their subject and give audiences behind-the-scenes insight into the lives of their favorite artists. A truly great biopic was always something that I treasured, as they managed to pay tribute to their source material while creating an entirely new piece of art for viewers to enjoy. Looking back on the history of pop and rock music, I was shocked at just how many great musicians who have yet to be the subject of biopics.

10

Keith Moon (1946 – 1978)

Drummer for The Who

Of all the wild men in rock ‘n’ roll, I’ve never heard of one more outrageous than The Who’s drummer Keith Moon. With a tendency toward self-destructive behavior, Moon’s frantic lifestyle was only outdone by the manic energy he brought to his drumming. Along with the rest of The Who, Moon would destroy his instrument on stage, but his unhinged behavior extended to his everyday life, and watching him throw TV sets out windows and smash up hotel rooms would make an excellent biopic.

Moon’s life story was categorized by alcoholism, drug use, and tragedy, and I believe this would make a fantastic biopic as, despite his antics, he was a deeply humorous and likable man. I’ve read reports for years that The Who’s singer Roger Daltrey has plans to make a movie about Moon’s life (via UCR), and at one point, Mike Myers was cast to play the man dubbed ‘Moon the Loon.’ It remains to be seen if Daltrey’s film, which has been gestating since the early 2000s, will ever be made, but I’d love to see it.

9

Karen Carpenter (1950 – 1983)

One-half of The Carpenters

Karen Carpenter’s story never failed to bring a tear to my eye and might just be one of the most tragic tales in pop music. Although Karen had the voice of an angel and found massive success in the music industry, this was not enough to protect her from the horrors of anorexia, as her struggles with eating disorders led to her death at just 32 years old. With plenty of timeless music to her name and a truly heartbreaking life story, I believe a movie about Karen’s struggles could shine a light on the severity of body dysmorphia.

I’m aware that Karen’s story has been dramatized before as a made-for-TV film and again by director Todd Haynes, who used Barbie dolls to film his controversial biopic Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story. However, to truly do justice to Karen’s life and importance, a more conventional biopic should be made that does not shy away from the more extreme aspects of her struggles. Karen’s life had one of the saddest endings in all of pop, and in the years since her death, the unrealistic expectations that have been put on women’s bodies have only increased.

8

Syd Barrett (1946 – 2006)

Original frontman of Pink Floyd

Pink Floyd created some of the most acclaimed music of the 1970s, but not everybody will know their first iteration during the 1960s with their original singer, Syd Barrett. As the founding frontman and lead songwriter of the group, I always had a soft spot for Syd and thought his songs, such as “See Emily Play” and “Bike,” were among the band’s most enjoyable compositions. However, Syd also reportedly had schizophrenia (via Guitar), which was potentially intensified through his use of LSD as he became increasingly withdrawn and reclusive in later life.

While Syd’s life story was a strange one, it was also extraordinary, and I know watching his biopic on the big screen could act as a touching tribute to the man who started and then left one of the greatest rock bands of all time. While Pink Floyd themselves have paid tribute to Syd in songs such as “Shine on You Crazy Diamond” and their rock opera The Wall, I can’t believe there hasn’t been a true Syd Barrett biopic yet, as his charming personality and slow descent into self-imposed isolation have all the makings of a compelling film.

7

Ozzy Osbourne (1948)

Lead singer of Black Sabbath

From biting off a bat’s head to becoming a reality TV star, I can’t think of any rock star more suited to a biopic than Black Sabbath’s singer, Ozzy Osbourne. With a life categorized by excess and drug use, the ill effects of Ozzy’s over-the-top lifestyle can certainly be seen today, as he spent 40 years drinking, experimenting with psychedelics, and even taking heroin. However, to the bafflement of many, Ozzy has lived to tell the tale and come out the other side with his reputation as the ‘Godfather of Metal’ still intact.

As a true living rock ‘n’ roll icon, I’d love to see a biopic of Ozzy’s life while he’s still around to witness it. While there have been reports about an upcoming movie about Ozzy and his wife, Sharon Osbourne (via Louder Sound), what I’d love to see is a film cataloging his rise to fame as a transformative figure in the world of rock ‘n’ roll. So many dimensions of Ozzy’s life would work well on the big screen, and I think it’s time we saw an Ozzy movie.

6

Nico (1938 – 1988)

Solo artist known for working with The Velvet Underground

The German singer-songwriter writer Nico had an all too brief but extraordinary life, and I’m shocked it has not already been the subject of a compelling biopic. From her encounters with icons such as Lou Reed, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, and Jim Morrison to her acclaimed solo career, a Nico movie would be a starstudded story soundtracked by some of the eeriest and haunting compositions in all of pop music. While Nico’s most well-known music was with The Velvet Underground, this only scratched the surface regarding her influence on gothic rock and the avant-garde.

From her early years acting and modeling as a teenager to her tragic death at age 49 after she fell off her bike while holidaying in Ibiza, Nico was a major pop culture figure across New York and Europe. Nico’s ethereal beauty, paired with her uncompromising artistic vision, made for a winning combination, and her legacy can be felt in the introspective songwriting of artists like Elliott Smith and the eccentric vocals of Björk. While mainstream audiences may not be very aware of her, I know that a Nico movie would shine a light on her extraordinary influence.

5

Janis Joplin (1943 – 1970)

1960’s blues and rock icon

Of all the tragic statistics in rock music, in my opinion, the most heartbreaking was the 27 Club, which was the list of popular artists who died shockingly young at the age of 27. This was the case for legends like Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, and Amy Winehouse. While all these stars had powerful biopics made about their lives, one musician who I was always surprised had not received the big screen treatment was the blues and rock singer Janis Joplin, whose short but intense life made her one of the most acclaimed singers who ever lived.

Janis’s story would work well on the big screen, as I’ve always been astounded by her incredible stage presence, infectious sense of humor, and endless vulnerability. However, although Janis was immensely talented, she also had a tumultuous life filled with difficult relationships, heavy drinking, and drug use. While I’m well aware that Janis’s life story could make for difficult viewing, with such an impactful legacy behind her, it’s shocking that a biopic of her life has not already been made.

4

Harry Nilsson (1941 – 1994)

Solo artist

Harry Nilsson was the greatest artist that most people have never heard of, and I’ve always been blown away by his incredible contribution to pop and rock. While the average person may not know his name, they’ll certainly know his songs, as his rendition of “Everybody’s Talkin’” was prominently featured in the iconic film Midnight Cowboy. While I’ve always loved Nilsson’s music, his life story was just as interesting, as he lived an outrageous rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle and formed strong friendships with artists like John Lennon, Ringo Starr, and Keith Moon.

While Nilsson quickly took on the excesses of a rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, I always thought his avoidance of live performances was the most fascinating thing about him. Nilsson was one of the few artists who managed to forge a career for himself without playing live, as his shy and introverted nature meant he avoided the spotlight at all costs. This tendency to avoid publicity, combined with Nilsson’s outrageous personal life, would make for an interesting biopic that subverts many of the tropes of the genre.

3

Marvin Gaye (1939 – 1984)

Soul legend

I’ve always had a love for soul and Motown music, and when it comes to the legends of this genre, nobody can top Marvin Gaye. From his acclaimed albums like What’s Going On to iconic songs such as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” Gaye was a transformative figure in soul music who helped popularize R&B worldwide. As a major influence on everything that came after him, it’s shocking that a figure as important as Gaye has not already received a biopic of his incredible life.

Gaye’s life story and music were already interesting enough to deserve a biopic, but when paired with the tragic way his life ended, his story became truly cinematic. Sadly, Gaye died far too young on the day before his 45th birthday after getting into an argument with his father. While it would make for difficult viewing, a Gaye biopic would end with a physical alternation before Gaye’s father shot him twice and killed him, putting an end to one of the most extraordinary careers soul music had ever seen.

2

David Bowie (1947 – 2016)

Solo artist

David Bowie was known as the chameleon of pop, and I was always blown away by his ability to reinvent himself. From the wayward astronaut seen in “Space Oddity” to the cool detachment of the Thin White Duke, more so than any other artist, Bowie’s life was one of theatricality, and I believe this could make for a highly creative and enjoyable biopic. While I know there was a movie titled Stardust in 2020 billed as a Bowie biopic, this was not made with his estate’s approval and did not feature any of his music.

A true Bowie biopic would need to prominently include his music and be made with the approval of his estate and family. While a career as unusual and varied as Bowie’s would be hard to depict on screen, I think the best way to do this would be through his many characters in the same way multiple actors were cast as Bob Dylan in the biopic I’m Not There. A Bowie biopic would be hard to get right, but if the filmmakers could pull it off, in the words of “Rock ‘n’ Roll Suicide,” it would be “wonderful.”

1

Fleetwood Mac (1967 – 2022)

Mick Fleetwood, John McVie, Christine McVie, Lindsey Buckingham, and Stevie Nicks

While there have been plenty of tumultuous band dynamics throughout the history of rock music, I have to say that Fleetwood Mac trumps them all. Fleetwood Mac’s story was plagued by fallouts, affairs, drug use, and fighting as they channeled their emotions into some of the most powerful and influential music ever written. While there are plenty of eras to choose from, I think the best way to make a Fleetwood Mac biopic would be to focus on making the album Rumours.

While Rumours topped the charts and became one of the most acclaimed albums ever released, it was also produced amid serious drama as Mick Fleetwood’s wife was having an affair, the McVie’s had separated after eight years of marriage, and Stevie Nicks and Lindsay Buckingham’s relationship was falling apart. With every band member going through a personal crisis, I know a Fleetwood Mac movie focused on Rumours could truly be the biopic to beat all biopics.

Sources: UCR, Guitar, Louder Sound