X

Join or Sign In

Sign in to customize your TV listings

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Hired Gun

Session Aces. Keepers of Time. Vocalists. Composers. The sidemen and sidewomen who play the riffs and fills we imitate in the air. When we turn up the radio, chances are we are listening to one of these players. A-listers have them on speed dial. International tour or recording session, who're they gonna call? A "Hired Gun." This feature length one-off documentary introduces the prolific musicians who are virtually unknown to the public. Billy Joel, Whitesnake, P!NK and Metallica are synonymous with their own artistry and success, but who is responsible for their instrumental solos? Who tours with them live? It is the consummate side players who kill it show after show, often playing circles around the actual band members. In "Hired Gun," viewers learn the firsthand stories from individuals who have mastered their craft and perform on the world's biggest stages. This film details the highs and lows of touring life, the demands of hectic session schedules, and the dedication required to make dreams a reality. The unsung stories of these heroes are now brought to the screen. "Hired Gun" explores the creative process and sound of the best permanently on-call musicians in the world. Some have been constantly undervalued and face the wreckage of a failed career. Some remain in demand, happy to be playing, singing, and songwriting in relative obscurity and supporting the star. Some step into the spotlight and become leaders in their own band.

Loading. Please wait...

Content not available in your region? ExpressVPN can help you stay connected wherever you are. Get 4 extra months FREE with TV Guide's exclusive offer.

Cast & Crew See All

John 5
Self
Kenny Aronoff
Self
Corey Britz
Self

Featured Video

Hired Gun (Trailer 1)
Hired Gun (Trailer 1)
1:46

1:46 Hired Gun (Trailer 1)

Awards

  • 2016 - Golden Athena - Music & Film - nominated
  • 2017 - IIFC Award - Best Director - Documentary - winner
  • 2017 - IIFC Award - Best Documentary - winner
  • 2017 - IIFC Award - Audience Choice Award Best Film - winner

You May Also Like See All

Best Kept Secret
The Leopard
Compensation
Lawrence of Arabia

Popular Movies See all movies

The Ten Commandments

3 hr 40 mins
The Egyptian Prince, Moses, learns of his true heritage as a Hebrew and his divine mission as the deliverer of his people.
1956 Action & Adventure, Drama, Family, Documentary

Apollo 13

2 hr 20 mins
NASA must devise a strategy to return Apollo 13 to Earth safely after the spacecraft undergoes massive internal damage putting the lives of the three astronauts on board in jeopardy.
78   Metascore
1995 Action & Adventure, Drama, Documentary

Hamnet

2 hr 5 mins
From Academy Award® winning writer/director Chloé Zhao, HAMNET tells the powerful love story that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.
84   Metascore
2025 Documentary, Drama

The Wolf of Wall Street

3 hr 0 mins
A New York stockbroker tries to avoid involvement in a Wall Street corruption case.
75   Metascore
2013 Documentary, Comedy, Suspense, Drama

King of Kings

2 hr 48 mins
The story of the life of Jesus Christ from his birth in Bethlehem to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. Filmed on a relatively grand scale, the film includes all of the major events referred to in the New Testament; his baptism by John the Baptist; the miracles - cripples walking, blind men seeing; the fishes and the loaves; and so on. The film actually begins with the Roman invasion by Pompey in 65 B.C., the appointment of King Herod the Great by the Romans and finally the crowning of Herod Antipas after he murders his father. The revolt led by Barrabas is also included and John the Baptist's beheading as Salome's price for dancing for Herod.
1961 Documentary, Drama

Women of the Bible

0 hr 50 mins
Mary Magdalene: chosen disciple, redeemed sinner and holy author? All three? Uncover the truth of Mary's many mysteries, prophecies, and lifetime in WOMEN OF THE BIBLE.
2014 Documentary