Music biopics: When legends come alive

The most recent biopic, released June 23, is about the life of Elvis Presley, played by Austin Butler. The main focus is on the complicated relationship with his shady manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks). Electrifying music and stage scenes thanks to director Baz Luhrmann, and Butler's outstanding portrayal of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, make the film a must-see.

Starring James Stewart in the lead role, the film traces the story of big band leader Glenn Miller, who is believed to have died in a plane crash in 1944. The film even featured Miller's musical contemporaries Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa alongside the actors. The biopic was so successful that the production company came up with a follow-up two years later, "The Benny Goodman Story."

Diana Ross shines in the role of Billie Holiday, the jazz singer who died in 1959 at the age of 44. Raised in a broken home in Baltimore where she was also raped, Holiday stated to sing in nighclubs after moving with her mother to Harlem, New York. A song about a lynching, "Strange Fruit," brought her acclaim before heroin addiction marred her career. The film is based on Holiday's autobiography.

Director Milos Forman created a mad-cap Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, played by Tom Hulce. The character veers between cackling clown and musical genius desperately trying to fight his madness. Mozart was a pop star during his lifetime. His music became so popular again due to the movie's success (it won eight Oscars) that the soundtrack made the Billboard pop charts.

Val Kilmer proved he can sing in the 1984 film comedy ,"Top Secret." He did such a good job playing Jim Morrison that his voice was mixed onto the original Doors recordings, to the delight of audiences and critics. Director Oliver Stone takes us back to the wild psychedelic 1960s and tells the story of the Doors singer who died unexpectedly in 1971 at the age of just 27.

Tina Turner is one of the few living legends whose life story was made into a biopic. Angela Bassett is brilliant in her portrayal of the soul singer who started her career with her abusive husband Ike, eventually broke free from the relationship and celebrated a sensational comeback as a solo artist in 1985 with the song "What's Love got to do with it?"

Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his 2020 lead role in "Joker," but he probably first deserved the award for his turn playing Johnny Cash. The film about the influential country music singer and songwriter looks at Cash's career, his drug and alcohol problems, as well as his relationship with June Carter, whom he eventually married.

Ian Curtis (Sam Riley) was the lead singer of pioneering post-punk band Joy Division, which shaped the late 1970s and early 1980s new wave sound. Curtis allegedly struggled with fame, and committed suicide at the age of 23. "Control," shot in black and white, was director Anton Corbijn's debut film — he had previously shot music videos with bands including Depeche Mode, U2 and Nirvana.

The story of the band Queen and their mega success in the 1970s up to their inconic Live Aid performance in 1985. The movie won four Oscars, with best actor going to Rami Malik for his remarkable portrayal of Queen singer Freddie Mercury. "Malek is brazenly resplendent in the role, summoning Mercury’s high-energy performance antics as well as his mournful, introspective side," noted one reviewer.

Elton John is another music legend whose story was filmed during his lifetime. Taron Egerton plays the iconic British pop star, composer, song-writer and pianist, while Jamie Bell plays his collaborator and lyricist, Bernie Taupin. The film traces John's rise to super stardom in the 1970s, as well as his drug excesses and coming out as gay.

Starring a brilliant Jennifer Hudson,"Respect" immerses the audience in the life story of soul and gospel singer Aretha Franklin, from her early years to the recording of the legendary 1972 gospel record, "Amazing Grace." The best music scenes are not the big concerts but the jam sessions that convey pure joy.