Reel Rockers: 22 Classic Rock & Roll Movies

We salute the debut of Rainn Wilson's ''The Rocker'' with our list of the greatest, most rebellious, rawkin'-est films ever, including ''The Last Waltz'' and ''Purple Rain'' (but, sadly, not ''The Rocker'')

By Simon Vozick-Levinson

Published on August 19, 2008 06:00PM EDT

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This is Spinal Tap, Christopher Guest, ... | Years ago, we sat next to a middle-aged couple at a screening of Rob Reiner's faux documentary. As the has-been band of the title launched — Everett Collection

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Bob Dylan, Robbie Robertson — Everett Collection

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Prince, Purple Rain — Everett Collection

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Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, ... — Paul Harris/Getty Images

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Lars Ulrich, James Hetfield, ... — Annamaria DiSanto/Radical Media

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Shine a Light, Charlie Watts, ... — Kevin Mazur

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The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night — Everett Collection

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Tom Hanks, Steve Zahn, ... — Everett Collection

45. LA BAMBA (1987) SUBJECT: Ritchie Valens

La Bamba, Lou Diamond Phillips | Writer-director Luis Valdez took a little-known piece of the rock and roll puzzle — the life of Latino rock groundbreaker Valens (played by then-newcomer Lou — La Bamba: Everett Collection

Writer-director Luis Valdez took a little-known piece of the rock and roll puzzle — the life of Latino rock groundbreaker Valens (played by then-newcomer Lou Diamond Phillips), who went down on that plane with Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper the Day the Music Died — and found its own rich tapestry. Plus, it had kick-ass music by Los Lobos. Which is always good. —Marc Bernardin

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Steve Jones, Johnny Rotten, ... — Everett Collection

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Chloe Webb, Gary Oldman, ... — Everett Collection

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Jack Black, The School of Rock — Everett Collection

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Val Kilmer, Frank Whaley, ... — Everett Collection

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Ian Hart, Stephen Dorff, ... — Backbeat: Mark Tillie

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Ewan McGregor, Velvet Goldmine — Everett Collection

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Steve Coogan, 24 Hour Party People — Jon Shard

JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL IN HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch, John Cameron Mitchell | The things people do for love. After Hansel (Mitchell) falls in love, he plans to leave communist East Germany for the West to marry his — Everett Collection

The things people do for love. After Hansel (Mitchell) falls in love, he plans to leave communist East Germany for the West to marry his lover. But in order to get married, he undergoes a sex change, so Hansel becomes Hedwig. The results aren't so great, though, hence the Angry Inch part of the movie's title.

Reel Rockers: 22 Classic Rock & Roll Movies

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45. LA BAMBA (1987) SUBJECT: Ritchie Valens

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JOHN CAMERON MITCHELL IN HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (2001)

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