FLICK SOMEONE OFF...ALMOST SIX DECADES OF MUSICAL MAYHEM CAUGHT ON FILM by Stoney
Ever since I was a wee lad I have been obsessed with music, pop culture and just the whole cool vibe of rock and roll. What attracted me nearly as much as the music was the over the top glitz and glitter of the artists of the seventies. From Alice Cooper to Kiss to the Sex Pistols to Styx...the stars of the day would lead to even more visual madness in the decade to follow. So it is only natural that music would blow up in the eighties via a little invention called MTV. But if truth be known, rock music and film go back way further than the eighties. It was just a mere dozen or so years earlier that the Monkees pumped out "videos" of their hits weekly on their own show. But before and ever since, rock and roll has been a huge part of the bigger screen - movies. Whether it be teen movies of the fifties with rock soundtracks, dockudramas, documentaries, concert films, etc., rock and roll and movies go hand in hand like...Lennon and McCartney! Sounds interesting? Well just to get you started...here's a list of some of the coolest rock & roll movies ever to come down the pike. Some rock, some rock harder, and some, well...never mind daddy-o!

Round Up of Rhythm (1954) … Bill Haley and the Comets perform three songs after being introduced by a D.J. and a female guest. Not feature length but still worth mentioning for the first appearance by a rock band on film. Members at the time included Joey Ambrose, Dick Boccelli, Johnny Grande, Marshall Lytle and Billy Williamson.

Rhythm and Blues Revue (1955)… Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, Big Joe Turner, Sarah Vaughn, Nipsey Russell, Nat King Cole. Turner sings Shake Rattle and Roll later made famous by Bill Haley. Rock 'n' Roll Revue (1955) and Basin Street Revue (1956), with essentially with the same group of performers, are two other popular films of this genre. [Louis Jordan was the pioneer of this type of music in the late '40s, which led to the music termed rock and roll by legendary DJ Allan Freed. Freed started playing this music on his radio show in Cleveland in 1952 after he saw a bunch of kids groovin' to these songs at a local record store.]

Rock ‘n’ Roll Revue (1955)… Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Nat 'King' Cole, Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, Dinah Washington, Nipsey Russell, Willie Bryant, Larry Darnell, Martha Davis, Little Buck, Mantan Moreland, Leonard Reed. Tagline: “Rhythm-Packed and Star-Studded!”

Rockin' the Blues (1955)… Mantan Moreland, F.E. Miller, Connie Carroll, the Wanderers, the Harptones, the Hurricanes, the Five Miller Sisters, Pearl Woods, Linda Hopkins, Hal Jackson. The Hurricanes are the highlight of this rhythm and blues show. Tag line: "Rock 'n' Roll at it's tingling, exciting best!"

Pied Piper of Cleveland (1955)… Documentary on the career of Cleveland disc jockey Bill Randle, who was almost as famous as Alan Freed. Pat Boone, Bill Haley and Elvis Presley appear along with members of Haley’s Comets – Franny Beecher, Johnny Grande, Rudy Pompilli, Al Rex and Billy Williamson. Randle sold the rights to the concert footage in 1992 to the London-based Merlin Group. Polygram International later bought the film, which has yet to be released. This was Elvis’ first film. He sang "That's All Right," "Blue Moon of Kentucky," "Good Rockin' Tonight," "Mystery Train" and "I Forgot to Remember to Forget," accompanied by Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass at Brooklyn (Ohio) High School and an evening concert at St. Michael's Hall in Cleveland, October 20, 1955. Haley performed "Rock Around the Clock", "Shake, Rattle and Roll" and "Dim, Dim the Lights." The Four Lads and Priscilla Wright were also on the bill. [Presley's first concert north of the Mason-Dixon Line was in February 1955. Another local DJ, Tommy Edwards, brought Presley in for a concert at Cleveland's Circle Theater. He played there again the following month and the night before the Brooklyn show. Headliners were Roy Acuff and Kitty Wells.]

Rock Around the Clock (1956)… Alan Dale, Lisa Gaye, Alex Tilton, Johnny Johnston, John Archer, Alan Freed, Henry Slate, Alix Talton. Performers include Bill Haley and the Comets, the Platters, Tony Martinez and His Band, Freddie Bell and the Bellboys. Haley's band comes to New York City and rises to fame. Haley ("the hillbilly with a beat") sings the title tune and two others to steal the show. Produced by cut-rate movie man Sam Katzman who was also responsible for Don't Knock the Rock, Teenage Crime Wave and some of Elvis' later junky stuff among others. [Freed was indicted on payola charges in 1960 and died of a heart attack in 1965 … Title track was the first rock song featured in a movie when Blackboard Jungle premiered a year earlier. Another of his hits, Razzle Dazzle, was featured later that same year in Universal International's low budget teen flick; Running Wild … Martinez was Pepino Garcia from the Real McCoys TV show.]

Rock, Rock, Rock! (1956)… Tuesday Weld, Teddy Randazzo, Jacqueline Kerr, Alan Freed. Performers include Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, the Moonglows, Chuck Berry, the Flamingos, Bo Diddley, Johnny Burnette Trio, LaVern Baker, Cirino and the Bowties, the Three Chuckles, Jimmy Cavallo and His House Rockers. As in most of the early rockers, forget the plot of a girl and her prom dress and watch the performers in this ultra-low budget cheapie. [This is Weld's film debut but Connie Francis dubbed her songs ... Burnette's only film appearance... Lymon's I'm Not a Juvenile Delinquent was written especially for the film to send a squeaky clean message to Rock music's early detractors... Berry's first film introduces his famous duck walk … Randazzo was a successful songwriter – “I'm On The Outside Looking In", "Goin' Out Of My Head" and "Hurt So Bad" by Little Anthony & The Imperials and "It's Gonna Take A Miracle" by The Royalettes … Look fast for Valerie Harper in the audience at the prom.]

Don't Knock the Rock (1956)… Bill Haley and His Comets, Alan Freed, Little Richard, Alan Dale, The Treniers, Patricia Hardy, Dave Appell and His Applejacks. Mature rock star (Dale) is scorned by the adults when he returns home but the local teenagers save the day. The Treniers are an underrated gem of a group as are the Comets. Good dance film with lots of rockin' tunes. The sequel to Rock Around the Clock. Tagline: The Real Story Behind The World-Wide Rock 'N Roll Headlines!

Shake, Rattle and Rock (1956)… Mike Connors, Lisa Gaye, Sterling Holloway, Fats Domino, Joe Turner, Tommy Charles, Margaret Dumont, Douglas Dumbrille, Raymond Hatton, Rosie & Carlos, Annitta Ray, Choker Campbell and His Band. Typical story of adults trying to stamp out rock music was another early AIP quickie. Connors is the host of a TV dance show who is arrested for violence at a teen dance. Holloway’s the jive-talking hipster. [American International Pictures was the exploitation company famous for low budget teen, horror and science fiction films. They did most of the top-grossing beach pictures in the 60's too.] Tagline: Rock 'n' Roll vs. the Squares.

Rock Pretty Baby (1956)… Sal Mineo, John Saxson, Luanna Patten, Edward C. Platt, Fay Wray, Rod McKuen, Shelly Fabares, George Winslow. Forgettable movie about a high school rock group that enters a music contest. Follwed by the sequel, Summer Love. [McKuen, who plays the singer/bass player, became a successful poet/songwriter in the mid-60's.]

Atlantic City Holiday (1956)… a TV special featuring Bill Haley and His Comets. Also appearing are Eddie Fisher, Jayne Mansfield, Debbie Reynolds, Pat Boone, Jack Carter, Rocky Graziano and Jonathon Winters.

Loving You (1957)… Elvis Presley, Lizabeth Scott, Wendell Corey, Dolores Hart, James Gleason. Truckdriver guy Deke Rivers makes it big as a rock singer. There's nothing like the King in his prime singing Teddy Bear, Loving You, Gotta Lotta Livin' To Do and Mean Woman Blues to understand the magic. [Title tune required 40 takes before Elvis was satisfied. Elvis' mother Gladys can be spotted in the audience during the Gotta Lotta Livin' to Do number.]

Jailhouse Rock (1957)… Elvis Presley, Judy Tyler, Vaughn Taylor, Dean Jones, Jennifer Holden, Mickey Shaughnessy. Elvis (Vince Everett) goes from ignorant jailbird to big-time rock star. An Elvis classic, he was very proud of the dance number, which he choreographed, for the final staging of the title tune. Treat Me Nice and Baby I Don't Care are other highlights. "That ain't tactics baby, it's just the beast in me," Elvis says. Mike Stoller (who with Jerry Leiber wrote some of Elvis’ songs, appears uncredited as the pianist. [Tyler died tragically in a car wreck four days after the film was completed.]

Mr. Rock and Roll (1957)… Alan Freed, Little Richard, Clyde McPhatter, Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers, Teddy Randazzo, Chuck Berry, Rocky Graziano, Lois O'Brien, Lionel Hampton, Ferlin Husky, the Moonglows, Brook Benton, LaVern Baker, Shaye Cogan. The story of DJ Alan Freed and the start of rock and roll reveals little about Freed himself. It is mostly a showcase for the acts with a stupid love story between Randazzo and an attractive newspaper writer woven in. Tag line - "The big story of the musical sensation that's swept the world… told by the king of rock 'n' roll himself!" [Freed got his start in Cleveland at WJW but soon moved to WINS in New York. But is was at WJW in 1952 when Freed started playing Rhythm and Blues records and coined the phrase rock and roll. A year after this picture was made, he was arrested at one of his rock and roll shows for inciting a riot. Two years later he was the main target in the payola scandal and drummed out of the business. He then died five years after that.]

The Girl Can't Help It (1957)… Tom Ewell, Jayne Mansfield, Edmond O'Brien, Julie London, John Emery. The story of a media guy trying to promote gangster's girl friend as a singing star is enhanced by the beautiful and funny Mansfield. Performers include Fats Domino, The Platters, Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps, Eddie Cochrane, Nino Tempo, the Treniers and Little Richard who sings the title tune. Musical highlights include Cochrane's Twenty Flight Rock, Vincent's Be Bop A Lula and the Treniers' Rockin' Is Our Business. It sure is.

Untamed Youth (1957)… Mamie Van Doren, Lori Nelson, John Russell, Don Burnett, Eddie Cochran, Lurene Tuttle, Yvonne Lime. Two sisters are charged with hitchhiking, and sentenced to work on a cotton farm whose owners are crooked politicians. One of those legendary films that's garnered a cult following over the years. This one starred the young Van Doren, a Monroe-Mansfield wannabe and "the girl built like a platinum powerhouse." The Madonna of her day really rocks out here in two gyrating dance numbers "that are guaranteed to keep any red-blooded American boy awake." Early rocker Cochrane adds additional energy. The Hollywood Rock and Rollers also perform.

Jamboree (1957)… Kay Medford, Robert Pastine, Paul Carr, Freda Holloway, Slim Whitman, Jodie Sands, Frankie Avalon, Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Lewis Lymon and the Teen Chords, Buddy Knox, Count Basie, the Four Coins, Joe Williams. Two rock and roll singers fall in love and are exploited by their agents. Dick Clark plays himself as the Telethon's M.C. Other famous radio DJ's also have cameos. Connie Francis dubbed Holloway's singing. Lewis belts out Great Balls of Fire. Also known as Disc Jockey Jamboree.

The Big Beat (1957)… William Campbell, Gogi Grant, William Reynolds, Andra Martin, Jeffrey Stone, Rose Marie, Hans Conreid. Forgettable story of corruption in the music business with an odd mix of rock and jazz artists. Performances by the Del Vikings, Fats Domino, the Diamonds, the Four Aces, Count Basie, Harry James and the Mills Brothers are also blah save for Little Darlin (Diamonds) and I'm Walkin' (Domino).

Calypso Heat Wave (1957)… Johnny Desmond, Merry Anders, Paul Langton, Michael Granger, Meg Myles, Joel Grey, The Treniers, The Tarriers, The Hi-Lo's, Maya Angelou, Darla Hood. Calypso was a short-lived trend that Hollywood tried to exploit with a few forgettable movies this year. (Calypso Joe was another.) This one features a once-in-a-lifetime cast including song and dance man Grey, Angelou -- later a famous poet, Hood of Little Rascals fame and the fabulous Treniers. Alan Arkin was a member of the Tarriers at the time.

Rock Baby, Rock It (1957)… Johnny Carroll and His Hot Rocks, Don Coats and the Bon-Aires, Kay Wheeler, Roscoe Gordon and the Red Tops, the Five Stars, the Belew Twins, Preacher Smith and the Deacons, the Cell Block Seven. Low budgeter shot in Dallas featuring several regional rock acts. Better than average for the genre. [Wheeler was the self-proclaimed "Queen of Rock and Roll" and founder of the very first Elvis Fan Club. She also performs her famous "Rock n Bop" dance.]

Rock All Night (1957)… Dick Miller, Russell Johnson, Abby Dalton, Jonathon Haze, the Platters, Robin Morse, the Blockbusters. Another AIP/Roger Corman quickie about a pair of hoodlums holding some bar patrons hostage. [The script (written in one day!) was originally intended for obscure hipster songwriter Lord Buckley but he was not available at the time. Buckley was said to have influenced Bob Dylan and Tom Waits among others.]

Rockin’ the Blues (1957)… The Harptones, The Wanderers, The Hurricanes, Five Miller Sisters, Linda Hopkins, Afro-Cuban Dancers, Mantan Mooreland, F.E. Miller, Hal Jackson (Master of Ceremonies).

Bop Girl Goes Calypso (1957)… Judy Tyler, Bobby Troup, Margo Wood, Lucien Littlefield, Mary Kaye Trio, Nino Tempo. Boring story of rock singer forced to perform calypso. Tyler's pre-Jailhouse Rock role.

Rock Around the World (1957)… Tommy Steele, Patrick Westwood, Dennis Price, Tom Littlewood. The story of British singer Tommy Steele's rise to fame is for skiffle fans only. Nuff said. [Also known as the Tommy Steele Story.]

Bernadine (1956)… Pat Boone, Terry Moore, Dick Sargent, Janet Gaynor, Dean Jagger, James Drury. Early vehicle to cash in on Pat Boone’s popularity of his hits like “Love Letters in the Sand” and the title song. Plot revolves around high school students entering a fictional woman's name (Bernadine Mudd) in a contest.

King Creole (1958)… Elvis Presley, Carolyn Jones, Dolores Hart, Dean Jagger, Walter Matthau, Vic Morrow, Paul Stewart. Danny Fisher, a young nightclub singer in New Orleans, unwillingly becomes involved with criminals. Adapted from the Harold Robbins novel, A Stone for Danny Fisher. One of Elvis' best acting efforts with lots of good songs, and loaded with future TV stars. Michael Curtiz' outstanding direction helps. That’s Elvis’ real band backing him – Scotty Moore on guitar and the Jordanaires as the backup singers. Partly filmed on location in New Orleans. [The part of Danny Fisher was originally intended for James Dean.]

Go, Johnny, Go! (1958)… Jimmy Clanton, Alan Freed, Sandy Stewart, Chuck Berry, Jo-Ann Campbell, Herb Vigran, the Cadillacs, Ritchie Valens, Eddie Cochran, Harvey Fuqua, the Flamingos, Jackie Wilson. Clanton gets kicked out of a choir and becomes a singing star. Berry has a considerable acting role (and does a very good job) but movie is basically worth viewing only for the artists. [Clanton had a hit record at the time called Just a Dream and recorded six more songs that hit the charts culminating with Venus in Blue Jeans in 1962. He later starred in Teenage Millionaire.]

High School Confidential! (1958)… Russ Tamblyn, Jan Sterling, John Drew Barrymore, Mamie Van Doren, Diane Jergens, Ray Anthony, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jackie Coogan, Charles Chaplin Jr., Lyle Talbot, William Wellman Jr., Michael Landon. One of the best of the "so-bad-it's-good" movie fare. This one's about a student who exposes a marijuana drug ring with lots of promiscuity, delinquent activity and jive talk as fillers. The once-in-a-lifetime cast reads like a who's who of B-movies with Van Doren the undisputed Queen B and loving it. Coogan (sweet old Uncle Fester) is the big drug pusher. Don't miss Lewis singing the title tune on the back of a flatbed truck. Also known as The Young Hellions. Produced by exploitation expert Albert Zugsmith (The Beat Generation, Girls Town, College Confidential, Platinum High School and Sex Kittens go to College).

Sing, Boy, Sing (1958)… Tommy Sands, Lili Gentle, Edmond O'Brien, John McIntyre, Nick Adams. Rock drama designed as a vehicle for pop star Sands playing a character not unlike Elvis Presley. Pretty good performance by Sands and Adams. [Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker were reportedly not very happy with this film which was originally conceived for Elvis. Adams was one of Elvis’ closest Hollywood buddies. Sands, who had just scored big with his hit songs, Teen-Age Crush and Goin' Steady, later married Nancy Sinatra. He concentrated on his acting career after that and made movies into the late 60's.]

Hot Rod Gang (1958)… John Ashley, Jody Fair, Gene Vincent, Russ Bender, Steve Drexel, Henry McCann, Maureen Arthur. American International quickie about a hot-rodder who wants Vincent's band to earn money to race his car. Vincent's four good numbers with his Blue Caps band save the picture. Eddie Cochran also makes a cameo appearance. Followed by the unintentionally hilarious sequel, Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow. [Vincent is the rocker of Be-Bop-A-Lula fame who was seriously injured in the same 1960 car crash that killed Cochrane. Jerry Capehart, Cochrane's co-writer and Lou Kimzey, editor of the hip teen magazine, Dig, also had a hand in this one.]

The Big Beat (1958)… William Reynolds, Andra Martin, Gogi Grant, Jeffrey Stone, Rose Marie, Hans Conried, Fats Domino, Harry James, Buddy Bregman, the Mills Brothers, The Del Vikings, The Diamonds, The Four Aces. Recent college graduate tries to persuade his father, who owns a record company, to sign up rock stars.

Let's Rock! (1958)… Julius LaRosa, Phyllis Newman, Conrad Janis, Wink Martindale, Joy Harmon, Paul Anka, Della Reese, the Royal Teens, Danny and the Juniors, Roy Hamilton, the Tyrones. LaRosa plays a mainstream crooner refusing to sing rock and roll. Not much here except for the Juniors’ rocking the house with At the Hop and the Royal Teens playing their hit song, Short Shorts. Newman is entertaining as the singer’s girlfriend who convinces him to change his mind.

Dragstrip Riot (1958)… Yvonne Lime, Gary Clarke, Fay Wray, Connie Stevens, Bob Turnbull. Low-budget AIP quickie about motorcycles, hot rods and rock and rollers. Lime was a teen exploitation star in the late 50's and Wray is the girl King Kong fell for in 1933. The very young Stevens sings a few songs. The Rip Chords were also seen but they never got credit because they were non-union. As soon as the movie was finished they changed their name to the 4 Champs. .

Carnival Rock (1958)… Susan Cabot, Brian Hutton, David J. Stewart, Dick Miller, David Houston, Ed Nelson. Low-budget Roger Corman quickie about nightclubs, gangsters and teen romance. Performers include the Platters, and several rockabilly acts like Bob Luman and his Shadows and David Houston and the Blockbusters. Tag line - "Hold on to your seat. It's got a heat beat." No thank you. The Platters made one last movie appearance in 1959's Girls Town before calling it quits in the movies. Also noted for appearance by the future Elvis guitarist James Burton (uncredited guitar player in the rockabilly band).

Gene Krupa Story (1959)… Sal Mineo, Susan Kohner, James Darren, Susan Oliver, Yvonne Craig, Lawrence Dobkin, Red Nichols, Buddy Lester. Story of the great jazz drummer played to the hilt by Mineo. [Cast is loaded with young veterans of teenage-type musicals but this one is not technically rock and roll. In fact, Krupa reportedly rolled his eyes when Elvis made his first guest appearance on the Dorsey brothers TV show.]

Hound-Dog Man (1959)… Fabian, Carol Lynley, Stuart Whitman, Arthur O'Connell, Dodie Stevens, Betty Field, Royal Dano, Margo Moore, Claude Akins, Edgar Buchanan, Jane Darwell. Film debut for rock star Fabian (capitalizing on current hit song of the same name) who plays a drifter who romances a country girl. Better than expected with many veteran faces dotting the cast. [Fabian was literally pulled off the street and made into a rock 'n roll star. This movie followed the story line of Love Me Tender. The 13-year-old Stevens was hot off her hit single, Pink Shoe Laces.]

Juke Box Rhythm (1959)… Jo Morrow, Jack Jones, Brian Donlevy, George Jessel, Hans Conried, Karin Booth, Marjorie Reynolds, Fritz Feld, Johnny Otis, the Treniers, the Earl Grant Trio. Terrible movie only worth seeing for the performances of Otis (Willie and the Hand Jive) and, of course, the Treniers (Get Out of the Car).

Idle on Parade (1959) … Anthony Newley, Anne Aubrey, William Bendix, Sidney James, Lionel Jefferies, David Lodge. Ridiculous attempts to make Newley into a rock star. The songs are bad too.

Because They're Young (1960)… Dick Clark, Michael Callan, Tuesday Weld, Victoria Shaw, Doug McLure, Warren Berlinger, Roberta Shore. American Bandstand's Clark makes his film debut as sympathetic high school teacher Neil Hendry. James Darren, Bobby Rydell and Duane Eddy and the Rebels each sing one song. Adapted from the John Harris novel, Harrison High. Title taken from Eddy's 1960 instrumental hit of the same name.

Expresso Bongo (1960)… Lawrence Harvey, Sylvia Syms, Yolande Donlan, Cliff Richard, Hank B. Marvin, Wilfred Owen. Small-time talent agent Johnny Jackson tries to hit it big with bongo player Bongo Herbert. Nice little British film that co-stars Richard, Great Britain's answer to Elvis who never quite made it in America. Like Elvis, he appeared in a number of forgettable films like Serious Charge, The Young Ones, Summer Holiday, Wonderful Life, Finders Keepers and Two A Penny.

Beat Girl (1960)… David Farrar, Noelle Adam, Gillian Hills, Adam Faith, Christopher Lee, Oliver Reed. British teen exploitation story about beatniks, strippers and crime is better than expected. Reissued the following year as Wild for Kicks with six additional minutes of racier footage tacked on. Pop star Adam Faith and the John Barry Seven sing five forgettable songs including title tune. [Faith was just coming off #1 U.K. hit, “What Do You Want?” He later co-starred in the hit movie Stardust.]

Teenage Millionaire (1961)… Jimmy Clanton, ZaSu Pitts, Rocky Graziano, Diane Jergens, Jack Larson, Sid Gould, Maurice Gosfield. Pop star Bobby Chalmers inherits a million dollars and makes a record incognito. Performances by Chubby Checker, Jackie Wilson, Dion, Marv Johnson, the Bill Black Combo, Vicki Spencer. [Graziano was the famous boxer; Larson was Jimmy Olsen on TV's Superman; Gosfield was Doberman on TV's Sgt. Bilko.]

Twist Around the Clock (1961)… Chubby Checker, Dion, the Marcels, Vicki Spencer, Clay Cole, John Cronin, Mary Mitchell. Fictional account of how the Twist became popular. Highlights include Dion (“The Wanderer”) and the Marcells (“Blue Moon”). Otherwise, forget it.

Twist All Night (1961)… Louis Prima, June Wilkinson, Sam Butera and the Witnesses, Gertrude Michael, David Whorf. Stupid comedy about Prima's nightclub and his ditzy girlfriend. Also known as The Continental Twist and The Young and the Cool. Directed by William Hole who also did the legendary Ghost of Dragstrip Hollow. [Prima was a '50s jazz singer and Las Vegas showman known for his pre-Little Richard slang lyrics. The hipsters loved him and he charted two recordings - That Old Black Magic and Wonderland By Night. He also fronted his own swing orchestra in the 30s and 40s appearing in a few movies of that era. The final swing numbers in this movie are the highlight of the film. ... The British born Wilkinson, who plays his girlfriend, is a former Playboy centerfold.]

Hey, Let's Twist! (1961)… Joey Dee and the Starlighters, the Peppermint Loungers, Jo Ann Campbell, Zohra Lampert, Teddy Randazzo, Allan Arbus. Disappointing story of the famous peppermint Lounge where the Twist started. JD&S perform most of the music and are the only act worth catching here.

Girls! Girls! Girls! (1961)… Elvis Presley, Stella Stevens, Laurel Goodwin, Benson Fong, Beulah Quo, Jeremy Slate. Elvis (Ross Carpenter) is chased by several girls through the whole movie but finds time to sing “Return To Sender” and lots of other lively numbers. One of the King's most energetic films.

Lonely Boy (1962)… A documentary of teen idol Paul Anka. Pretty well done considering the subject matter and year. The title is taken from one of his hit songs.

Wild Guitar (1962)… Arch Hall Jr., Nancy Czar, William Waters, Cash Flagg. Guitars + motorcycles + bad acting + bad script + bad direction = junk. Legendarily bad director Ray Dennis Steckler put this one together and it shows. Tag line - "Smashes the fun barrier!" said Allied Artists, the poor man's AIP. Robert Crumb, the underground cartoonist, also appears. [That's really Steckler as Cash Flagg and Arch Hall Sr. as William Waters. Steckler went on to make the cult classic, Incredibly Strange Creatures Who Stopped Living and Became Mixed-Up Zombies and also Rat Fink and Boo Boo, both of which featured rock and roll soundtracks. Czar was a teenage Olympic ice skating champion.]

Some People (1962)… Kenneth More, David Hemmings, Ray Brooks, Angela Douglas. British teen movie about some bikers who form a band isn't too bad. The music is below average though, and is performed by the Eagles (not the famous ones).

Ring-a-Ding Rhythm (1962)… Helen Shapiro, Craig Douglas, Felix Felton, Arthur Mullard. Performers include Chubby Checker, Del Shannon, Gary "U.S." Bonds, Gene Vincent and Sounds Incorporated, the Paris Sisres, Gene McDaniels, Acker Bilk, the Temperance Seven. Basically forgettable British movie with many stars but no standout performances. Richard Lester's (Hard Day's Night) first directorial job. Originally titled It's Trad, Dad!

Swingin' Along (1962)… Tommy Noonan, Peter Marshall, Barbara Eden, Connie Gilchrist, Ray Charles, Roger Williams, Bobby Vee. Story of aspiring songwriter is not even saved by the music (except Charles rendition of “What'd I Say”). Several familiar faces throughout.

Play It Cool (1962)… Billy Fury, Michael Anderson Jr., Dennis Price, Richard Wattis, Anna Palk, Keith Hamshere, Ray Brooks. British quickie involving a rock group and a rich girl. Performers include Fury, Jimmy Crawford, Shane Fenton and the Fentones, Helen Shapiro and Bobby Vee. Pass.

Just For Fun (1963)… Mark Wynter, Cherry Roland, Richard Vernon, Reginald Beckwith, John Wood, Bobby Vee, Freddie Cannon, the Crickets, Johnny Tillotson, Jet Harris, Ketty Lester, the Tremeloes, the Springfield, the Tornadoes, the Spotniks. British teens run for office on the pop ticket. Silly plot but decent period piece of British pre-Beatles music scene.

Bye Bye Birdie (1963)… Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Ann-Margaret, Maureen Stapleton, Paul Lynde, Jesse Pearson, Bobby Rydell, Ed Sullivan. Based on the Broadway Musical about rock star Conrad Birdie returning to his hometown. A clunker with forgettable songs that belongs on the worst list, if we had one. Ed Sullivan and John Daly have cameos. Remade in 1995 as a TV-movie. [The song, “We Love You Beatles,” was adapted from a song in this movie.]

Hootenanny Hoot (1963)… Ruta Lee, Joby Baker, Pam Austin, Peter Breck. Sam Katzman quickie designed to cash in on the folk music boom of the early ‘60s. Performers include The Brothers Four, Sheb Wooley, Johnny Cash, The Gateway Trio, Judy Henske, George Hamilton IV, Joe & Eddie, Cathie Taylor and Chris Crosby.

Sing and Swing (1963)… David Hemmings, Veronica Hurst, Heinz Burt, Stephen Marriott, Jennifer Moss, John Pike. Below average British film about the rise of a pop group features performances by the Outlaws and Gene Vincent among others. Also known as Live It Up. [Marriott later formed the Small Faces.]

What a Crazy World (1963)… Joe Brown, Marty Wilde, Susan Maughm, Harry Corbett, Avis Bunnage, Freddie and the Dreamers. British movie about a young man who writes a hit song. Ehhh.

Hard Day's Night (1964)… The Beatles first full-length feature film is a classic featuring great songs and hilarious comic relief. The plot loosely revolves around a typical hectic day in the group's life allowing each of the group's personalities to shine through. Excellent supporting cast as well. [The group began filming in London a month after appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show in U.S. ... Fifteen songs were recorded at Abbey Road studios during the filming ... The title came from Ringo's comment after an all-night recording session. … George met first wife Pattie Boyd on the set.]

The T.A.M.I. Show (1964)… Rolling Stones, James Brown, Chuck Berry, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Jan and Dean, Gerry & the Pacemakers, Smoky Robinson & the Miracles, Leslie Gore, Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas. Historic concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium is a classic although the Beach Boys were unfortunately cut out of the original showing. Quality suffers a little since it was transferred from kinescope to film but is followed by a sequel and a composite. Phil Spector has a cameo. [TAMI stands for Teenage Awards Music International. … The film inspired the Hullabaloo and Shindig TV shows.]

Help! (1965)… The Beatles travel the world avoiding religious fanatics chasing Ringo. A minor classic, with a great soundtrack and several funny scenes. Filmed on location in London, Amesbury, the Bahamas and the Austrian Alps, the group originally loathed the film but later grew into it. [Original title was Eight Arms to Hold You. Title was changed when neither John nor Paul could come up appropriate lyrics so John went home and wrote his ode to exhaustion (endless touring) and depression (his mother's death) -- Help!]

The Beatles at Shea Stadium (1965)… Most of the group’s 30-minute performance on Sunday Aug. 15, including some backstage footage, was the first by a rock band in such a large venue. They had trouble hearing themselves over the screams of the girls but somehow kept it together and pretty much in tune. The concert kicked off their second American tour. Ticket price = $5.65. Ed Sullivan, Brian Epstein, Murray the K, King Curtis Band, Brenda Holloway and Sounds Incorporated also appear. The Young Rascals and Cannibal & the Headhunters were two of the opening acts but are not shown here.

Ferry Cross the Mercy (1965)… Gerry and the Pacemakers, Cilla Black, the Fourmost, Jimmy Saville. British film about a music contest in Liverpool was made strictly as a showcase for Gerry and the Pacemakers. Great viewing for fans of this particular group singing most of their hit songs. Black, the Fourmost and several other local bands also perform.

Having a Wild Weekend (1965)… Dave Clark, Barbara Ferris, Lenny Davidson, Rick Huxley, Mike Smith, Denis West Payton. Trying to cash in on the Beatles' big screen success, the Dave Clark Five made this one about a group of stuntmen and their girlfriends looking for the perfect island. A curiosity, but mostly for DC5 fans. Good songs though. Originally titled, “Catch Us If You Can.”

Pop Gear (1965)… The Beatles, the Animals, Spencer Davis Group, Herman's Hermits, Peter and Gordon, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, Sounds Incorporated, the Nashville Teens, the Honneycombs, the Four Pennies, the Fourmost, Tommy Quickly, the Rockin' Berries. AIP quickie about the British invasion is an interesting time capsule but all the performers, save for the Beatles, lip-sync their songs. DJ Jimmy Saville is the host. Also known as Go Go Mania.

Ballad in Blue (1965)… Ray Charles, Tom Bell, Mary Peach, Dawn Addams. Charles plays himself rocking in London and Paris and helping out some British blind children. Paul Henreid (Casablanca) directed.

A Swingin' Summer (1965)… James Stacy, William Wellman Jr., Quinn O'Hara, Martin West, Allan Jones, Raquel Welch. Story of three guys who open a dance hall features performances by the Righteous Brothers, the Rip Chords and Gary Lewis and the Playboys and others. Gypsy Boots appears as himself. And Raquel sings, I'm Ready to Groove. Now that's entertainment.

Dateline Diamond (1965)… William Lucas, Kenneth Cope, George Mikell, Conrad Phillips, Patsy Rowlands, Kenny Everett. British film about a pirate-radio ship features performances by the Chantelles, Kiki Dee and the Small Faces.

The Big T.N.T. Show (1966)… David McCallum, Ray Charles, Petula Clark, The Lovin' Spoonful, Bo Diddley, Joan Baez, the Ronettes (with Ronnie Spector), Roger Miller, the Byrds, Donovan, the Seeds, the Modern Folk Quartet, Ike and Tina Turner. The grand Phil Spector production is similar to the first TAMI show with a lot of energy and it’s live at Hollywood’s Moulin Rouge! Spector accompanies Baez on the piano. McCallum of Man from UNCLE TV-show fame is the M.C. Look fast for Frank Zappa in the audience. The false start by the Spoonful is a hoot. The go-go dancers and choreography are great.

Tokyo Concert (1966)… Highlights from the Beatles’ Nippon Budokan Hall shows, June 30 – July 2, during their brief International tour. Included is their arrival at Haneda airport and a press conference at the Tokyo Hilton Hotel.

Chappaqua (1966)… Jean-Louis Barrault, Conrad Rooks, William S. Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg, Ravi Shankar, Paula Pritchett, Ornette Coleman, Ed Sanders, the Fugs. Semi-autobiography of Conrad Rooks, who goes to Europe to kick his cocaine habit. Set in the early psychedelic era in San Francisco. Features one of the rare Fugs performances captured on film. Partially filmed at the Chappaqua Indian reservation in New York. The film was written and directed by Rooks. It also features Beat icons Allen Ginsberg and William S. Burroughs, and jazz great Ornette Coleman. [Brooks father owned the Avon cosmetics empire. … Brooks also produced, wrote and directed Siddhartha in 1972.]

Blues For Lovers (1966)… Ray Charles, Tom Bell, Mary Peach, Dawn Addams, Piers Bishop, Betty McDowall. British movie about Charles and a young blind boy is just too sentimental but the songs are good. Charles sings most of his hit tunes throughout. Also known as Ballad in Blue.

The Velvet Underground and Nico (1966)… Lou Reed, Nico, John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Maureen Tucker. Andy Warhol’s weird documentary of the band even for fans. To many strange camera angles and distorted effects for comfortable watching. Even the music is borderline unlistenable.

Hold On! (1966)… Peter Noone, Herman's Hermits, Sue Ann Langdon, Karl Green, Shelly Fabares, Bernard Fox. Follows the group on a US tour with a dumb plot about NASA naming a spacecraft after them. The boys sing eleven songs with only one (“A Must to Avoid”) that was any good. Another bomb from quickie producer Sam Katzman.

Ghost Goes Gear (1966)… Nicholas Parsons, Jack Haig, Arthur Howard, Joan Ingram, Tony Sympson, Sheila White. Also features The Spencer Davis Group – Spencer Davis, Stevie Winwood, Acker Bilk, Dave Berry, Muff Winwood, Pete York. The Spencer Davis Group starts playing in their manager’s haunted manor to raise money and save the house.

Don't Look Back (1967)… Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Donovan, Alan Price, Albert Grossman, Allen Ginsberg. Stark documentary of Dylan's 1965 concert tour of England. Highlights include his performance in concert and hip putdowns of Baez, Donovan and others. Grossman was his manager at the time. [The Beatles attended the London show but were not in the film.]

Festival (1967)… Joan Baez, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Judy Collins, Donovan, Bob Dylan, Pete Seeger, Howlin’ Wolf, Dick and Mimi Farina, Son House, Mississippi John Hurt, Spider John Koerner, Fred McDowall, Peter, Paul and Mary, Buffy Sainte-Marie, the Staple Singers, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Peter Yarrow. Highlights of the Newport Folk Festivals of 1963-1966 features several rare performances. This underrated gem serves as an important document in our musical history, partially for the 1965 performance by Bob Dylan when he finally went electric for his second set with the Paul Butterfield Blues Band behind him.

Tonight Let's All Make Love in London (1967)… Pink Floyd, Twice As Much, Vashti. Also appearing are Alan Aldridge, Eric Burdon, Michael Caine, Julie Christie, David Hockney, Mick Jagger, Donyale Luna, Lee Marvin, Edna O'Brien, Andrew Loog Oldham, Dolly Read, Vanessa Redgrave. Terrible documentary of swinging London with interviews, film clips and music. Worth seeing only because Floyd performs their classic “Interstellar Overdrive “– with Syd Barrett.

Magical Mystery Tour (1967)… The Beatles. The idea was to load up a bus with several characters and travel around the countryside to see what would happen. Nothing much did. Easily the worst Beatles film but still has some good songs. BBC1-TV film first seen December 26 but critics attacked the show the very next day keeping the film from U.S. television. It later had six screenings in L.A. and one in San Francisco then premiered in Boston. The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band also appears backing stripper Jan Carson. [The actual filming took just four days in September 1967 in Cornwall, England. Additional footage was filmed in southern Spain.]

Blast-Off Girls (1967)… Dan Conway, Ray Sager. Better than you think Hershel Gordon Lewis effort about sleazy promoter Boojie Baker who manipulates all those around him, including his rock band, The Big Blast. When the band becomes disenchanted, Boojie sets them up for a drug bust. [Lewis is commonly revered as "the Godfather of Gore" because of his below average gore movies in the early 60s. … Harland Sanders, the founder of the Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant chain, has a cameo. He appeared in several B-movies when he was just getting started in exchange for free fried chicken to the film crew.]

Mondo Hollywood (1967)… Frank Zappa, Jayne Mansfield, Jimmy Carl Black, Bobby Beausoleil, Jay Sebring, Gypsy Boots. Low-budget hippie exploitation junk noted for the once-in-a-lifetime cast. Black was Zappa’s drummer. Beausoleil went to prison for a Manson Family related murder, and Sebring was a Manson Family victim in the Sharon Tate murders. The soundtrack was composed by the future Attorney General of California, Mike Curb.

Privilege (1967)… Paul Jones, Jean Shrimpton, Marc London, Max Bacon, Jeremy Child, the George Bean Group. Decent British film about the government using popular rock star Jones to manipulate the public (in futuristic 1970!). Big-budget production values and decent acting makes this worth a look but the music is terrible. [Jones is the singer from Manfred Mann after he went solo.]

Double Trouble (1967)… Elvis Presley, Annette Day, John Williams, Yvonne Romain, the Weire Brothers, Chips Rafferty, Michael Murphy. Teenage heiress falls for Guy Lambert, a pop singer touring England. A shade of real life here and certainly worth a look but Elvis performs only one good song – “Long Legged Girl.”

Good Times (1967)… Sonny and Cher, George Sanders, Norman Alden, Larry Duran, Edy Williams. Decent little quickie made to capitalize on the duo's fame and much better than their Chastity effort in 1969. The duo sings eight songs and appear in several unrelated vignettes.

The Cool Ones (1967)… Roddy McDowall, Debbie Watson, Gil Peterson, Phil Harris, Robert Coote, Mrs. Miller. Campy spoof of the music business (shades of Phil Spector as the manager character) has some interesting moments but inevitably falls flat. Glen Campbell, the Bantams, the Leaves and T.J. and the Foundations provide musical interludes. [The Leaves were the first group to score a hit with their version of “Hey Joe”… Look for the ubiquitous Mrs. (Elvira) Miller, an old lady who spent most of her time in the audiences of popular TV shows of the day.]

C'mon Let's Live a Little (1967)… Bobby Vee, Jackie DeShannon, Eddie Hodges, John Ireland Jr., Suzie Kaye, Bo Belinsky, Patsy Kelly, Kim Carnes, Ken Osmond. Boy and girl meet in college, fall in love and sing some songs. Pass. [Belinsky is the ex-baseball pitcher and Hollywood legend with the ladies. Osmond was Eddie Haskell on Leave It To Beaver.]

Yellow Submarine (1968)… Animated film set to Beatles music (several songs from Sgt. Pepper) loaded with surreal visuals and typical Beatles humor. Story revolves around the boy's attempts to save Pepperland from the Blue Meanies. The L.A. Times called it "the most stupendous animation feat in decades" and "gloriously conceived" while the New York Times proclaimed it "of no great importance" and "informed by marijuana."

Rock and Roll Circus (1968)… The Rolling Stones (with Brian Jones), The Who, John Lennon, Eric Clapton, Jethro Tull, Marianne Faithful, Taj Mahal. Originally, a made-for-British TV special filmed December 11, 1968-- this multimedia event went unreleased for years. The Stones were unsatisfied with their performance (six songs) and reportedly felt that The Who (“A Quick One While He's Away”) outdid them. They were right.

Psych-Out (1968)… Susan Strasberg, Dean Stockwell, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Dern, Adam Roarke, Max Julien, Henry Jaglom, Linda Gaye Scott. Campy AIP Haight-Ashbury hippie movie with a good cast about deaf girl looking for brother and falling for pony-tailed Nicholson. Produced by Dick Clark and features performances by the Strawberry Alarm Clock, the Seeds, the Storybook and Boenzee Cryque. Definitely worth a look especially to catch the SAC (“Incense and Peppermints”) and the Seeds (“Pushin' Too Hard”). Tagline: Taste a Moment of Madness...Listen to the Sound of Purple

Wild in the Streets (1968)… Christopher Jones, Shelly Winters, Diane Varsi, Hal Holbrook, Millie Perkins, Ed Begley, Richard Pryor, Bert Freed. Singing star Max Frost is elected President and chaos reigns. Film made quite a splash back in '68 but plays a little tamer now. Features several no-name acts singing forgettable songs. Melvin Belli, Pamela Mason, Louis Lomax, Army Archerd and Walter Winchell appear as themselves. [The song "Shape of Things To Come" was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and performed by The 13th Power. It charted as sung by Max Frost and the Troopers. … Perkins has the unique distinction of playing Elvis Presley's girlfriend in the movies and his mother on TV.]

You Are What You Eat (1968)… Tiny Tim, Peter Yarrow, Paul Butterfield, Barry McGuire, Electric Flag, Harper's Bizarre, David Crosby, John Simon. Documentary of the mid-60s hippie movement is uneven but features many interesting and rare performances.

Here We Go 'Round the Mulberry Bush (1968)… Barry Evans, Judy Geeson, Angela Scoular, Sheila White. British movie about a young mod seeking to lose his virginity. From the Hunter Davies' (The Beatles) novel of the same name, the film captures the mood of swinging London pretty well. Features performances by the Spencer Davis Group, Stevie Winwood, Traffic and Andy Ellison. Not bad if you can find it.

Head (1968)… The Monkees, Terri Garr, Vito Scotti, Timothy Carey, Logan Ramsey, Frank Zappa, Jack Nicholson, Annette Funicello, Bob Rafelson. Unusual movie (the Monkees first and last) has no coherent plot but rather several unrelated vignettes strung together. Has some funny moments and is worth a look but is not for all tastes. The Monkees sing six forgettable songs. Several cameos including Sonny Liston and Victor Mature. Co-written by Nicholson and director Bob Rafelson (Five Easy Pieces, Easy Rider).

Uncle Meat (1968)… Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention. A combination of fiction, home movies and concert footage, this movie tells the story of Uncle Meat who is tying to write a hit song but sometimes changes into a monster. Sound weird? It’s even weirder when you see it. Zappa could not find a backer so it sat unreleased until 1987. Don Preston (aka Dom DeWilde/Biff Debris/Uncle Meat) was Zappa’s keyboard player. The concert footage was taken at the Mothers ‘68 Royal Albert Hall show. Linda Ronstadt has a cameo.

Monterey Pop (1969)… D.A. Pennebaker's excellent film of the classic Monterey Pop Festival held on June 16,17 and 18, 1967. Includes classic performances of Jimi Hendrix (his first appearance in America) The Who, and Janis Joplin with Big Brother and the Holding Company. Other acts include Otis Redding, the Animals, Jefferson Airplane, Mamas and Papas, Ravi Shankar and Country Joe and the Fish. Several bands did not make it to the movie including Buffalo Springfield, the Byrds, Simon and Garfuncel, the Grateful Dead and the Association among others. [The Beach Boys were supposed to headline the show but Brian Wilson backed out at the last minute. Neil Young quit Buffalo Springfield prior to the show and David Crosby of the Byrds filled in.]

Alice's Restaurant (1969)… Arlo Guthrie, Pat Quinn, James Broderick, Pete Seeger, Michael McClanathan, Geoff Outlaw, Tina Chen. Commune life is portrayed based on Guthrie's epic song of the same name. Director Arthur Penn manages to combine sociological and political opinions with humor and satire in a sort of home movie without losing viewer interest. Most of the actors used had little or no experience. Songs include the title tune and three (Car Song, Pastures of Plenty and Songs to Aging Children) made famous by Arlo's father, folksinger Woody Guthrie. [Filmed on location in Van Deusenville MA and originally rated X ... Quinn was also in Rocky Horror… Alice Brock (the real Alice who was paid $8,000 for her story) plays Suzy … Outlaw was a boyhood friend of Guthrie’s … the judge and the arresting officer play themselves … Lee Hayes of the Weavers also appears.]

Easy Rider (1969)… Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Jack Nicholson, Karen Black, Robert Walker, Phil Spector, Toni Basil, Karen Black. Dated but now classic film about two bikers looking for America. Nicholson's too short performance finally made him a star. Fonda co-wrote it, Hopper directed it and the hard rock soundtrack drove it. Spector is the drug dealer shown at the beginning of the picture. Dan Haggerty and Carrie Snodgress appear uncredited as a couple in the commune.

Revolution (1969)… Today Malone, Herb Caen, Ronnie Davis, Louis Gottlieb, Jurt Hirschhorn. Documentary about the Haight-Ashbury, San Francisco drug, hippie scene hosted by flower child Malone. Features performances by Mother Earth, Quicksilver Messenger Service, the Steve Miller Band and Country Joe and the Fish. Worth checking out.

Johnny Cash -- The Man, His World, His Music (1969)… Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Carl Perkins filmed in Cash's hometown of Dyess, Arkansas.

Woodstock (1970)… Oscar-winning documentary of the infamous Woodstock Music Festival held for three days in August 1969. Various performers not only captured in their prime but several audience members, policeman, workers and townspeople are also frankly interviewed. Not all of the acts made it to the film (Janis Joplin) but those that did give outstanding performances. The highlights not to be missed include Jimi Hendrix, Ten Years After, Santana, Joe Cocker and The Who. Others include Joan Baez, Crosby, Stills and Nash (their first public appearance together), Jefferson Airplane, Sly and the Family Stone, Country Joe and the Fish (with the famous "Fish" cheer), John Sebastion, Sha Na Na and Arlo Guthrie.

Gimme Shelter (1970)… Rolling Stones, Jefferson Airplane, Tina Turner, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Grateful Dead. Well-filmed document of the infamous 1969 Altamont Speedway free concert. The Stones are at their best (with Mick Taylor on lead guitar) but violence and murder at the hands of the Hell's Angels (captured on film), who were hired to police the event, marred their performance a bit. Mick and Keith never sounded better though. Check out Keith's sound on his see-through Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar on Sympathy For the Devil. Of course, Taylor is also great playing lead on most of the songs. For more info on the tour, read Stanley Booth's True Adventures book. Booth was a roadie with the Stones in '69. Also, pick up the live album Get Your Ya Ya’s Out, which closely resembles the tour. The ‘69 U.S. Tour, which culminated here, was one of the greatest rock tours ever, and their first after Brian Jones died. Michael Lang, the concert organizer, also appears. Lang was also the executive producer and co-promoter of the Woodstock festival.

Let It Be (1970)… John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Yoko Ono, George Martin, Mal Evans, Derek Taylor, Linda McCartney, Heather McCartney. Uneven Beatles documentary is saved when the group moves to the roof of their Apple studio to perform four songs in what is ultimately their last concert together. You also get to hear the full version of Dig It in the studio along with the group rocking out on improvised versions of Shake, Rattle and Roll, Kansas City, You Really Got a Hold On Me, Besame Mucho and others … Billy Preston plays keyboards on Get Back. [Filmed 1/30/69 and originally double billed in most U.S. theatres with the Italian western, The Mercenary starring Jack Palance. Esquire called it "a sad and fascinating Apple home movie."]

Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)… Flattering look at Elvis onstage and off culminating with opening night Las Vegas performance -- his first live appearance since 1957. Everybody should see Elvis in his prime at least once in their lives, especially in his leather suit. Features James Burton on guitar and cameos by Sammy Davis and Cary Grant.

Message to Love: The Isle of Wight Festival (1970)… Known as "Britain's Woodstock", this little gem by Murray Lerner sat on the shelf for 26 years before it's commercial release in 1996. Bootlegs have been available for years though. It is most noted for the final stage appearances of Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison and also features The Who, Bob Dylan, Moody Blues, Donovan, Joan Baez, Miles Davis, Tiny Tim, Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell. The concert was an artistic success but financial disaster. Also check out Jimi Hendrix: Live at the Isle of Wight, which was released in 1999.

Sympathy for the Devil (1970)… Strange and uneven film of the recording of the Rolling Stones hit song is interspersed with scenes of demonstrators in Paris. Definitely worth watching but fast forward through the non-Stones stuff for you're own good. Also known as One Plus One.

Popcorn (1970)… Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Otis Redding, Bee Gees, Joe Cocker, Beach Boys, the Fifth Dimension, the Spencer Davis Group, Vanilla Fudge. Documentary of the sixties is fair but the Stones do a rare version of 2000 Light Years from Home.

Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)… Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marsha McBroom, Edy Williams, Erika Gavin, John Lazar, Phyllis Davis, Michael Blodgett. Exploitive Russ Meyer film noted for being the first X-rated feature movie in history (but only for soft-core nudity). Story revolves around a female rock group's try at stardom in Hollywood. Better than expected and now a cult classic, with an appearance by the Strawberry Alarmclock (at the first party). [British born Dolly Read was Playboy’s Playmate of the Month May ’66. Myers was Playmate of the Month December ’68. Williams was married to Russ Meyer for a while. Co-writers Meyer and Roger Ebert were hired a few years later to work on the ill-fated Sex Pistols movie called "Who Killed Bambi?"]

It's Your Thing (1970)… The Isley Brothers, Brooklyn Bridge, the Five Stairsteps, the Edwin Hawkins Singers, Moms Mabley, Ike and Tina Turner, the Clara Ward Singers, Judy White, the Winstons, the Young Gents, Patti Austin. Filmed at Yankee Stadium in New York City.

Reggae (1970)… Footage from the Caribbean Music Festival I 1970.

Medicine Ball Caravan (1971)… B.B. King, Alice Cooper, Delaney and Bonnie, Doug Kershaw, David Peel. A 150-member hippie troupe traveled from San Francisco to the East Coast playing music and preaching love and peace. Well worth seeing if only for the ultra rare appearance of David Peel, one of the original NYC hippies.

Rainbow Bridge (1971)… A documentary of a commune in Hawaii culminates in a Jimi Hendrix concert on the island of Maui. Fast-forward to Hendrix and you'll beall right. Features interviews with Jimi as well. This was his last U.S. concert appearance. The band (Hendrix with Mitch Mitchell and Billy Cox) play their set atop Hawaii's Haleakawa Volcano. p> Joe Cocker: Mad Dogs and Englishmen (1971)… Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Chris Stainton, Carl Radle, John Price, Bobby Keys, Rita Coolidge, Claudia Linnear. Good documentary of Cocker's 1970 US tour. Also known as Mad Dogs and Englishmen.

Celebration at Big Sur (1971)… Joan Baez, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Joni Mitchell, John Sebastion, Mimi Farina, Dorothy Morrison, the Combs Sisters. Documentary of 1969 Big Sur Folk Festival worth seeing for the good music but production level is low.

Dynamite Chicken (1971)… Joan Baez, Linda Boyce, Jim Buckley, Ron Carey, Leonard Cohen, Marshall Efron, Jay Garner, Paul Krassner, John Lennon, Ondine, Yoko Ono, Richard Pryor, Lisa Ryan, Andy Warhol, Lenny Bruce, Al Goldstein, Allen Ginsberg, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Muddy Waters, Charley Manna. A variety of short skits, film clips and musical performances loosely tied into the peace movement.

200 Motels (1971)… Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, Tony Palmer, Theordore Bikel, Ringo Starr, Keith Moon, the Royal Symphony Orchestra. Bizarre film that only Zappa could make loosely based on the Zappa quote, "Touring makes you crazy." Has its moments but is too haphazard to sustain interest for even 98 minutes. The Mothers lineup included Zappa, Ian Underwood, Mark Volman, Howard Kaylan, George Duke, Aynsley Dunbar, Don Preston, Jim Pons and Jimmy Carl Black (as Lonesome Cowboy Burt). Also note the video companion piece, The True Story of Frank Zappa’s 200 Motels (1988).

Pink Floyd at Pompeii (1971)… Roger Waters, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Richard Wright. Filmed at the Roman Amphitheater. Also included is studio footage from the Dark side of the Moon sessions and interviews with the band. A must for fans and rockers alike. Also known as Pink Floyd.

Soul to Soul (1971)… Roberta Flack, Eddie Harris, Les McCann, Wilson Pickett, Santana, the Staple Singers, Ike and Tina Turner. Filmed at the Ghana music festival.

Fillmore (1972)… Bill Graham, The Grateful Dead, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Elvin Bishop, Hot Tuna, Quicksilver Messenger Service, It's a Beautiful Day, Cold Blood, Lamb, Boz Scaggs. Documentary about the legendary Fillmore West concert hall's final days. Included is footage of founder and owner Graham and several rare performances of the big West Coast groups as well as the smaller ones.

Elvis on Tour (1972)… Follows Elvis through several stops on his 1971 US tour along with a rehearsal session and a classic clip from one of his first Ed Sullivan appearances. It was his last film. Tagline: MGM presents a very different motion picture that captures all the excitement of ELVIS LIVE!

The Concert for Bangla Desh (1972)… George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston, Leon Russell, Klaus Voorman, Ravi Shankar. The famous August 1, 1971 Madison Square Garden concert where proceeds went to feed the starving children of India.

The Harder They Come (1972)… Jimmy Cliff, Janet Barkley, Carl Bradshaw, Ras Daniel Hartman, Bobby Charlton, Winston Stona. Cult film of criminal-turned singer Ivan Martin (Cliff) fighting corruption in the music business helped launch the popularity of reggae music. Definitely worth a look, and a must if you're a fan of the music.

Eat the Document (1972)… Bob Dylan, Richard Manuel, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, John Lennon, Johnny Cash. Hard to find documentary of Dylan’s historic 1966 tour of Europe with the Band - the one where he was again booed for going electric. Shows Dylan and the Band onstage and off but the editing is below average, sometimes confusing the viewer. [The Royal Albert Hall album was recorded on this tour.]

Imagine (1972)… John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Daniel Richter, the Plastic Ono Band. Various clips and home movies of John and Yoko. Well worth seeing but mostly for John and Beatles fans. Fred Astaire and Jack Palance have cameos.

Journey Through the Past (1972)… Neil Young, David Crosby, Steven Stills, Graham Nash, Buffalo Springfield, Carrie Snodgrass, Jack Nitzsche. Young's story up to this point in time suffers from amateurish filming and script but the music is great. Directed by Bernard Shakey who is really Neil Young.

Pictures at an Exhibition (1972)… Emerson, Lake and Palmer.

Bird on a Wire (1972)… Leonard Cohen in concert and on the streets of Europe.

Born to Boogie (1972)… Marc Bolan, Elton John, Ringo Starr, Chelita Secunda. Documentary about T-Rex includes concert footage and staged sequences directed by Starr.

Ladies and Gentleman, the Rolling Stones (1973)… Excellent documentary of the Stones' 1972 U.S. tour originally recorded with quadraphonic sound. The Stones lineup included Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor (guitar), Nicky Hopkins (piano), Bobby Keys (saxophone), Jim Price (trumpet) and Ian Stewart (roadie). This is when the Stones were at their peak and is probably an even better representation of their sound than Gimme Shelter. The Taylor-era (1969-1974) is their best musically. All the solos from the Chuck Berry tunes were Keith however, a strong devotee of Berry.

Let the Good Times Roll (1973)… Chuck Berry, Chubby Checker, Bo Didley, Little Richard, the Five Stains, the Coasters, the Shirelles, Bill Haley and the Comets, Shirley and Lee. Old-time rock and roll acts perform in Madison Square Garden revival show in between footage of 1950s life. Outstanding performances, especially by Berry and Didley.

Jimi Hendrix (1973)… Decent biography of arguably the world's greatest rock guitarist. Told in documentary style, the film features highlights from his concerts, TV interviews and interviews with family and friends. Noel Redding, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, Buddy Miles. Also appearing – Eric Clapton, Al Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Little Richard, Lou Reed, Pete Townsend and long-time girlfriend Fayne Pridgon.

That'll Be the Day (1973)… David Essex, Ringo Starr, Rosemary Leach, James Booth, Rosalind Ayres, Billy Fury, Keith Moon. Fine story of a British working-class youngster Jim Maclaine growing up in the 1950s and playing rock and roll. Followed by a believable sequel, Stardust, both of which are loaded with oldies on the soundtrack. Essex performers his big hit, Rock On.

Glastonbury Fayre (1973)… David Allen and Gong, Arthur Brown, Fairport Convention, Family, Linda Lewis, Magic Michael, Melanie, Quintessence, Terry Reid, Traffic. Documents the 1971 Glastonbury rock festival with many rare performances. Unfortunately, David Bowie, Marc Bolan and Pete Townshend's sets were cut because of contractual problems.

London Rock and Roll Show (1973)… Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Bill Haley and His Comets, Heinz and the Houseshakers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Screaming Lord Sutch. Unusual concert in Wembley Arena features both Teddy Boys (‘50s wannabees) and hippies in the audience and a rare appearance by Lord Sutch. Bill Haley is the highlight. [Sutch was a pre-Beatle long hair in London and, although he never had a hit song, was always in the news for some kind of outrageous behavior-- on stage and off. He was kind of a poor man's Screamin' Jay Hawkins.]

Wattstax (1973)… The Bar-Kays, the Dramatics, the Emotions, Isaac Hayes, Albert King, Little Milton, Mel and Tim, the Staple Singers, Johnny Taylor, Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas, Kim Weston and others. Richard Pryor hosts the benefit concert for the Watts riot neighborhood in Los Angeles. [The Bar-Kays was the second edition of the original band wiped out in the December 1967 plane crash that also killed Otis Redding. Their big hit was Soul Finger that year.]

Yessongs (1973)… Steve Howe, Jon Anderson, Alan White, Chris Squire, Rick Wakeman. Yes filmed at the Rainbow in London from their 1973 Close to the Edge tour. [White replaced Bill Bruford on drums during the tour.]

Save the Children (1973)… Cannonball Adderly, Jerry Butler, Sammy Davis Jr., Roberta Flack, Marvin Gaye, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Curtis Mayfield, the Ramsey Lewis Trio, the O'Jays, the Temptations, Nancy Wilson, Bill Withers. Benefit for Jesse Jackson's PUSH (People United to Save Humanity).

Janis (1974)… Authorized biography of Janis Joplin put together after her death in 1970. Included are her performances with Big Brother and the Holding Company, the Full Tilt Boogie Band and the Kozmic Blues Band. Definitely worth seeing.

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)… Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper, George Memmoli, Gerrit Graham. Rock version of Phantom of the Opera is surprisingly good. Story is changed a bit but revenge is still the motive. Film originally flopped but has found a cult following in recent years. Music by Paul Williams is ok but nothing special.

Flame (1974)… Slade, Tom Conti, Kenneth Colley, Alan Lake, Rosco, Johnny Shannon, Tommy Vance. British band Slade star in their own story about a band trying to make it despite unfeeling management. The group actually acts well and plays several rocking numbers that are quite good. Check it out.

Sing Sing Thanksgiving (1974)… Joan Baez, Mimi Farina, B.B. King, Joe Williams, Jimmie Walker. Thanksgiving Day concert at the New York state prison.

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)… Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Meatloaf, Richard O'Brien, Jonathon Adams, Little Nell, Charles Gray. The ultimate midnight movie spices up the tired plot of young couple stranded in a Transylvania castle with outrageous characters and lots of rock music. Film has huge cult following but the sequel, Shock Treatment, was a disappointment. Let's do the time warp again instead. [Sarandon refused to appear nude in the picture.]

Stardust (1975)… David Essex, Adam Faith, Larry Hagman, Rosalind Ayres, Marty Wilde, Keith Moon, Dave Edmunds, Ines Des Longchamps, Edd Byrnes, the Stray Cats. Excellent sequel to That'll Be the Day follows dramatic rise of rock group, the leader of which is very John Lennon-like. The soundtrack is chock full of oldies too.

Tommy (1975)… Roger Daltry, Ann-Margaret, Oliver Reed, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Keith Moon, Robert Powell, Tina Turner, Jack Nicholson, Pete Townshend, John Entwhistle, Paul Nicholas, Arthur Brown. The Who's rock opera about a blind deaf-mute who becomes a pinball star. Quadraphonic soundtrack loses impact on TV but most of the clips paved the way for MTV videos of the future. Not for all tastes. Directed by Ken Russell.

Lisztomania (1975)… Roger Daltry, Sara Kestelman, Paul Nicholas, Fiona Lewis, Ringo Starr, Rick Wakeman. Ken Russell's outrageous "biography" of classic composer Franz Liszt portrays him as the #1 pop star and sex symbol of his era. Serves as bizarre escapist entertainment but is not for all tastes. Tagline: The erotic, exotic electrifying rock fantasy. Oliver reed has a cameo.

Never Too Young Too Rock (1975)… Freddie Jones, Peter Denyer, John Clive, Joe Lynch, Peter Noone, Sally James. A British TV station auditions new rock bands. Performers include the Glitter Band, Mud, the Rubettes and Slick.

Bound for Glory (1976)… David Carradine, Ronny Cox, Melinda Dillon, Gail Strickland, Randy Quaid. Biography of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie who was the main inspiration for Bob Dylan among others. Film concentrates mostly on 1936-1940 when Guthrie traveled the country via boxcars during the Great Depression. Oscars won for the cinematography and for the best score. [Arlo Guthrie is Woody’s son.]

Leadbelly (1976)… Roger E. Mosley, Paul Benjamin, Madge Sinclair. Story of the legendary folk singer, Walter Huddie Ledbetter, the guy who influenced many of the early country singers and rockers with songs like Rock Island Line and Goodnight Irene. The movie covers his mastering of the 12-string guitar as well as his two prison terms but ends just as he's released in 1934. From there he was recorded by the Lomax brothers and became well known, eventually performing at Carnegie Hall. Art Evans plays Blind Lemon Jefferson whom Leadbelly played with for a while. HiTide Harris dubbed the vocals.

A Star is Born (1976)… Barbra Streisand, Kris Kristofferson, Paul Mazursky, Gary Busey, Martha Heflin, Oliver Clark, Venetta Fields. Third telling of classic female-on-the-rise -male-on-the-skids story-- this time with a rock theme. These people are not rock and rollers and neither is the music. Strictly for Streisand fans.

Sparkle (1976)… Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee, Dwan Smith, Mary Alice. Low budget story of the rise of a female singing group from Harlem not unlike the Supremes. Curtis Mayfield does the soundtrack.

The Song Remains the Same (1976)… Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Bonham, John Paul Jones, Peter Grant, Derek Skilton, Colin Rigdon, Richard Cole, Roy Harper. Documentary of Led Zeppelin's 1973 Madison Square Garden concert interspersed with each of the band member's personal fantasies.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)… John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali, Donna Pescow. Blockbuster film (at the time) of Brooklyn youth Tony Manero finding fame on the disco dance floor. Geat score by the Bee Gees still holds up today. Followed by less appealing sequel, Staying Alive. [This was Travolta's film debut.]

Banjoman (1977)… Joan Baez, David Bromberg, the Byrds, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Tracy Nelson, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Earl Scruggs Review, Doc and Merle Watson. This Earl Scruggs tribute concert is a must-see for Bluegrass and C&W fans. Great music and some rare film appearances.

The Grateful Dead (1977)… Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Keith Godchaux, Donna Godchaux. They perform live at Winterland in San Francisco in October 1974 and are also interviewed before and after the show. Best captures the Dead experience as well as any other concert film. Also for Dead fans on video: Ticket to New Year's Eve Concert (1987), Downhill From Here (1989), From Anthem to Beauty (1997).

Abba -- The Movie (1977)… Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Benny Andersson, Bjorn Ulvaeus, Agnetha Faltskog, Robert Hughes, Tom Oliver, Bruce Barry, Stikkan Andersson. Film of their 1977 Australia tour also containing back-stage footage and a sub-plot of a young disc-jockey trying to get an interview with the band. For Abba fans only.

Roots Rock Reggae (1977)… Documentary of the origins of Jamaican music featuring Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, the Mighty Diamonds.

The Buddy Holly Story (1978)… Gary Busey, Charles Martin Smith, Don Stroud, Maria Richwine, Amy Johnston, Conrad Janis, Dick O'Neill, William Jordan, Will Jordan, Fred Travalena. Busey's performance and Joe Renzetti's Oscar-winning score, even though the script seems a stretch at times, highlight one of the best rock biographies ever. Busey, Smith and Stroud actually played their instruments live which greatly adds to the viewing experience as does Will Jordan's Ed Sullivan routine.

The Last Waltz (1978)… The Band, Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Ringo Starr, Muddy Waters, Dr. John, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Eric Clapton, Neil Diamond, Emmylou Harris, Paul Butterfield, The Staples, Ronnie Hawkins, Ron Wood, Lawrence Ferlinghetti. Excellent documentary about The Band's farewell concert, Thanksgiving Day 1976 at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco. Director Martin Scorcese's strange interview with Robbie Robertson inspired Rob Reiner to do the same in This Is Spinal Tap.

American Hot Wax (1978)… Tim McIntire, Fran Drescher, Jay Leno, John Lehne, Laraine Newman, Jeff Altman. Performances by Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the Chesterfields, the Delights, the Planotones, Timmy and the Tangerines. The story of disc jockey Alan Freed recreates the mood of the 1950s very well. Remake of Mr. Rock and Roll.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (1978)… Nancy Allen, Debbie DiCicco, Marc McClure, Susan Kendall Newman, Theresa Saldana, Eddie Deezen, Wendie Jo Sperber, Will Jordan. A group of 1963 teenagers go to great lengths to see the Beatles live on The Ed Sullivan Show. Don't take it too seriously and you'll have a lot of fun with it and might even watch it twice. Jordan reprises his Sullivan impersonation. [Saldana was viciously attacked by a stalker in 1982 when he became obsessed with her after he saw her in Raging Bull. She recovered to play the wife in The Commish.]

Dead Man's Curve (1978)… Richard Hatch, Bruce Davison, Pamela Bellwood, Susan Sullivan, Wolfman Jack. TV-movie about the ill-fated career of surf-rockers Jan & Dean. Jan Berry was critically injured in an automobile accident in 1966 and never could quite make it back. Their last hit, Popsicle, was released two months later. Title of the movie taken from their 1964 hit of the same name. The Beach Boys’ Mike Love and Bruce Johnston appear as themselves as does Dick Clark. Worth seeing once.

The Rutles (1978)… Conceived by Monty Python's Eric Idle, this TV-movie is a parody of the Beatles’ career and stars Idle, Neil Innes, Ricky Fataar and John Halsey as Dirk, Nasty, Stig and Barry. Michael Palin, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, George Harrison, Mick Jagger, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner, Bianca Jagger, Ron Wood, Al Franken and Paul Simon also appear. Has its moments and is worth a look. Released in USA as All You Need Is Cash. Lorne Michaels executive produced and also has a cameo. Innes wrote the music.

Rockers (1978)… Leroy Wallace, Richard Hall, Monica Craig, Jacob Miller, Big Youth, Erroll Brown, Dillinger. Jamaican movie revolves around the drummer of a band's efforts to raise money to make it in the business. The performances and the score features most of the top Reggae bands of the time including Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer, Burning Spear, Third World, the Heptones and Gregory Isaacs.

Renaldo and Clara (1978)… Bob Dylan, Sara Dylan, Sam Shepard, Ronee Blakley, Ronnie Hawkins, Joni Mitchell, Harry Dean Stanton, Arlo Guthrie, Bob Neuwirth, Joan Baez, Allen Ginsberg, Mick Ronson, Roberta Flack. Fictional account of Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Review is not very good. The music is ok but Hawkins plays Dylan. A memorable scene is when Baez storms into the room and denounces Dylan, totally unscripted but left in the film. Roger McGuinn, Jack Elliott, Peter Orlovsky and David Blue have cameos.

Grease (1978)… John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Barry Pearl, Michael Tucci, Kelly Ward, Didi Conn, Jamie Donnelly, Dinah Manoff, Eve Arden. Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Edd Byrnes, Sid Caesar, Alice Ghostley, Dody Goodman, Lorenzo Lamas, Fannie Flagg, Dick Patterson, Ellen Travolta have cameos. Decent conversion to film of long-running Broadway musical hit about life in the 50s. Many old-timers pop up in cameos but the songs are forgettable. Followed by a terrible sequel.

Performance (1978)… Mick Jagger, Nicholas Roeg, James Fox, Anita Pallenberg, Michele Breton, Ann Sidney, John Burdon. Jagger plays a rock star (known only as Turner) harboring a criminal on the loose. Unusual film has its moments but moves in strange directions and is not for all tastes. Pallenberg was married to Keith Richards at the time.

FM (1978)… Michael Brandon, Martin Mull, Eileen Brennan, Cleavon Little, Cassie Yates, Alex Karras, Norman Lloyd, James Keach. Comedy about the trials and tribulations of a (WKRP-like) radio station. Mull's film debut. Features performances by Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Tom Petty and REO Speedwagon.

Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Dark (1978)… Peter Kriss, Ace Frehley, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Anthony Zerbe, Carmine Caridi, Deborah Ryan, Terry Webster. TV-movie starring outrageous rock group Kiss and their attempts to prevent a mad scientist's attempt to clone them for evil purposes. For Kiss fans only.

Jubilee (1978)… Jenny Runacre, Little Nell, Hermine Demoriane, Ian Charleton, Toyah Wilcox, Neil Kennedy, Adam Ant. British fantasy film about Queen Elizabeth I joining a punk-rock band. Punkers will like it for the various British bands featured but they would be the only ones.

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band (1978)… Peter Frampton, The Bee Gees, George Burns, Frankie Howard, Donald Pleasence, Sandy Farina, Dianne Steinberg, Billy Preston, Steve Martin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Aerosmith, Alice Cooper, Robin Gibb. Hard to believe a movie with this title could be sooo bad. Don't waste your time.

Bob Marley and the Wailers Live! (1978)… Bob Marley at the height of his fame singing all his hits.

Elvis (1979)… Kurt Russell, Shelly Winters, Pat Hingle, Season Hubley, Bing Russell, Ed Begley Jr., Robert Gray, Joe Mantegna. Excellent TV-movie telling the Elvis story from youth to his comeback as live performer (although Colonel Tom Parker and Elvis' drug problem are conspicuously absent). Russell is outstanding as Elvis, as is country singer Ronnie McDowell who dubbed the singing. Many musicians who played with Elvis in real life like Charlie McCoy and the Jordanaires also appear. Will Jordan again does his Ed Sullivan thing.

The Kids are Alright (1979)… Energetic documentary of the Who's career with several great songs, old film clips and interviews with the band. Many highlights including A Quick One While He's Away from the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus. Ringo Starr, Steve Martin and Tom Smothers have cameos.

Birth of the Beatles (1979)… Stephen MacKenna, Rod Culbertson, John Altman, Ray Ashcroft, Ryan Mitchell, David Wilkinson, Brian Johnson, Nigel Havers. TV-movie about the Fab Four as well as original drummer Pete Best and manager Brian Epstein. Not bad considering they were casting for look-alikes rather than acting ability. The group Rain performs the hit songs.

More American Graffiti (1979)… Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat, Charles Martin Smith, Cindy Williams, Candy Clark, Bo Hopkins, Mackenzie Phillips, Anna Bjorn, Richard Bradford, John Brent, Country Joe McDonald. Also appearing Ken Place, Mary Kay Place, Tom Ruben, Doug Sahm, Country Joe & the Fish, Manuel Padilla Jr., Wolfman Jack, Rosanna Arquette. Sequel to American Graffiti that takes place during the hippie/Viet Nam era.

Baby Snakes (1979)… Frank Zappa, Ron Delsener, Johnny Psychotic, Donna U. Wanna, Diva. Filmed at the Felt Forum Halloween shows in New York 1977 with Bruce Bedford's clay animation added. Better seen in its original 3-hour version, rather than the 90-minute version Zappa re-edited in 1984.

Rock 'n' Roll High School (1979)… P.J. Soles, Vincent Van Patten, Clint Howard, Dey Young, Paul Bartel, Mary Woronov, the Ramones. Students rebel against strict principal and go to a Ramones concert. Not too bad if you don't take it seriously but it's followed by less appealing sequel. The excellent soundtrack is what makes film worth checking out.

Quadrophenia (1979)… Phil Daniels, Mark Wingett, Phillip Davis, Leslie Ash, Garry Cooper, Sting. Solid drama of British teenage gangs inspired by the Who's record album of the same title. Sting's acting debut is very good. Taglines: Hell On Wheels! and… The Year Was 1964, and The Battle Was Just Beginning!

Blue Suede Shoes (1979)… Eddie Cochran, Bill Haley, Cliff Richard, Tommy Steele, Gene Vincent, Crazy Cavan and the Flying Saucers. Documentary of ‘50s dress and dance is interspersed with clips from the performers.

Hair (1979)… John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden, Dorsey Wright. Story of straight arrow falling in with New York hippies has its musical moments but is definitely dated. Based on the Broadway hit.

The Rose (1979)… Bette Midler, Alan Bates, Frederic Forrest, Harry Dean Stanton, Barry Primus, David Keith. Midler gives inspired performance of a rock star's problems dealing with fame and touring. The character was loosely based on Janis Joplin but the story doesn't seem to have direction and lackluster music doesn't help either. Still worth a look though.

Rust Never Sleeps (1979)… Neil Young in concert during his My My Hey Hey and Star Wars phase. Pretty good stuff. Once again, the ubiquitous Bernard Shakey (aka Neil Young) directs.

Rock Show (1979)… Decent film of Paul McCartney and Wings 1976 Seattle concert. Not bad but pretty much what you'd expect from the ex-Beatle. Also known as: Wings Over the World (1979).

The Blues Brothers (1980)… John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Steve Cropper, Duck Dunn, John Candy, Cab Calloway, Henry Gibson, Carrie Fisher, Charles Nappier, Jeff Morris, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Kathleen Freeman. The crazy story of Elwood and Jake Blues who get their band back together in order to raise money for their orphanage -- their "mission from God." Entertaining throughout and featuring several cameos including Steven Spielberg, Steve Lawrence, Twiggy, John Lee Hooker and Pee-Wee Herman.

One-Trick Pony (1980)… Paul Simon, Blair Brown, Rip Torn, Joan Hackett, Mare Winningham, Allen Garfield, Lou Reed, the B-52s, Harry Shearer, the Lovin' Spoonful, Sam and Dave, Tiny Tim. The story of an aging rock star trying to save his marriage and career is pretty good with excellent supporting cast and score but Simon just doesn't have leading man appeal. Check it out anyway. Musical highlights besides Simon include the Spoonful's Do You Believe in Magic? and S&D singing Soul Man.

No Nukes (1980)… Jackson Browne, Crosby, Stills and Nash, the Doobie Brothers, Nicolette Larson, Bonnie Raitt, Gil Scott-Heron, Bruce Springsteen, James Taylor, Carly Simon, Jesse Colin Young, Tom Petty, Jane Fonda. Highlights of the five 1979 concerts at Madison Square Garden for the benefit of MUSE (Musicians for Safe Energy).

Roadie (1980)… Meat Loaf, Kaki Hunter, Art Carney, Gailard Sartain. Performers include Alice Cooper, Blondie, Roy Orbison, Alvin Crow, Emmylou Harris, Hank Williams Jr. and Ramblin' Jack Elliot. Movie revolves around a roadie and a groupie's efforts to meet Cooper. Mostly misses the mark but Meatloaf and the assortment of talent makes it worth checking out on a rainy afternoon.

The Idolmaker (1980)… Ray Sharkey, Tovah Feldsuh, Peter Gallagher, Paul Land, Joe Pantoliano, Maureen McCormick, Olympia Dukakis. Partially true story of producer Bob Marcucci who made stars of 50s teen talents like Frankie Avalon and Fabian. Film has good cast and fine performances but lacks the mood of the times, especially in the music. Too bad.

The Great Rock and Roll Swindle (1980)… An outrageous look at the famous punk-rock group The Sex Pistols featuring performances by Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious and other punk bands as well as behind the scenes with their manager Malcolm McLaren. Released after the deaths of Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen. For fans of the genre only.

Rude Boy (1980)… David Mingay, the Clash, Ray Gange, John Green, Barry Baker, Terry McQuade, Caroline Coon, Jimmy Pursey. British movie of punk roadie for punk-rock band is told in a believable documentary style format. Concert footage of the Clash is excellent but movie is obviously for fans only.

Breaking Glass (1980)… Phil Daniels, Hazel O'Connor, Jon Finch, Jonathon Pryce, Peter Hugo Daly, Mark Wingett. British film about the rise to stardom of female rock singer and the problems she encounters along the way suffers from uneven script and below average songs. O'Connor wrote and performs the music.

Can't Stop the Music (1980)… The Village People, Valerie Perrine, Bruce Jenner, Steve Guttenberg, Paul Sand, Tammy Grimes, June Havoc, Barbara Rush, Jack Weston, Leigh-Taylor Young. Below average comedy about the beginning of the Village People. Only for hard core disco fans but Perrine looks great. David London and the Ritchie Family also perform. Pass.

The Jazz Singer (1980)… Neil Diamond, Laurence Olivier, Lucie Arnaz, Catlin Adams, Franklyn Ajaye, Paul Nicholas, Sully Boyar, Mike Kellin. Third remake of 1927 classic (that starred Al Jolson) has a twist-- Diamond wants to be a rock and roll singer rather than a Jewish Cantor. Diamond (singing America and Love on the Rocks among others) is ok but we'd rather watch Jolson sing Toot Toot Tootsie Goodbye. [The original staring Al Jolson was the first all-talkie movie.]

Reggae Sunsplash (1980)… Documentary of the 1979 Sunsplash II Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Performers include Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Third World and Burning Spear. A must for fans of the genre and Marley is the highlight as usual.

Living Legend: The King of Rock and Roll (1980)… Earl Owensby, William T. Hicks, Ginger Alden, Jerry Rushing, Greg Carswell, Toby Wallace, Kristina Reynolds. A big rock star goes downhill fast due to the overuse of prescription medication. Forgettable movie save for the inclusion of Ginger Alden (Elvis' real life girlfriend at the time of his death) and the soundtrack by Roy Orbison.

AC/DC: Let There Be Rock (1980)… Documentary of the band’s '78 'Highway To Hell' tour in Belgium and Paris with interviews. One of the final appearances of now deceased lead singer Bon Scott. The movie itself is dedicated to him.

Divine Madness (1980)… Bette Midler and the Harlettes performing at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Definitely worth viewing.

Heartland Reggae (1980)… Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, U-Roy, Natty Garfield, Jacob Miller, Ras Lee Morris, Judy Mowatt, Lloyd Parkes, Junior Tucker. Documentary of the 1978 One Love Peace Concert held in Kingston, Jamaica. It also celebrated the return of Marley following an attempt on his life the year before.

This is Elvis (1981)… Elvis Presley, David Scott, Paul Boensh III, Johnny Harra, Lawrence Koller, Rhonda Lyn, Debbie Edge, Larry Raspberry, Furry Lewis. A combination of documentary footage and real actors playing Elvis throughout his life makes for an interesting viewing experience.

Elvis and the Beauty Queen (1981)… Don Johnson, Stephanie Zimbalist, Ann Dusenberry, Rick Lenz, John Crawford, Richard Herd, Ann Wedgeworth, Ruta Lee. TV-movie about the five-year affair Elvis had with actress Linda Thompson.

American Pop (1981)… Animated history of 20th century American music covering four generations culminating with rock and punk. Top-notch animation is wasted by so-so script and questionable song choices. The best include Hell Is For Children (Pat Benatar), People Are Strange (Doors), Turn Me Loose (Fabian), Summertime (Big Brother and the Holding Company) and Night Moves (Bob Seger).

Heavy Metal (1981)… Voices of John Candy and Harold Ramis. Features the music of Black Sabbath, Blue Oyster Cult, Cheap Trick, Devo, Grand Funk, Journey, Nazareth and Sammy Hagar. An outer space fantasy from the magazine of the same name.

The Decline of Western Civilization (1981)… Alice Bag Band, Black Flag, Catholic Disciple, Circle Jerks, Fear, Germs, X. Not a bad documentary of the LA punk rock scene but only for fans of the genre. [Many members of the bands are now deceased.]

Beatlemania (1981)… Christina Applegate, Ralph Castelli, David Leon, Tom Teely, Mitch Weissman. The musical based on the stage show featuring look-alikes playing Beatle songs in front of a montage of ‘60s events on screen. It was better in person.

The Concert for Kampuchea (1981)… Benefit concert for the African country. Paul McCartney, Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, Elvis Costello, Chrissie Hynde, Denny Laine, Linda McCartney, Ian Dury, Billy Connolly, Laurence Juber.

Manhattan Transfer (1981)… For Transfer fans only. The Complete Beatles (1982)… Excellent documentary on the great British group narrated by Malcolm McDowell. Definitely worth seeing even though '96 effort is by far more "complete." Among the interviewees are George Martin, Billy Preston, Gerry Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Marianne Faithfull, Tony Sheridan, Bruce Johnston and Lenny Kaye.

Pink Floyd -- The Wall (1982)… Bob Geldof, Christine Hargreaves, James Laurenson, Eleanor David, Bob Hoskins. The film version of the album basically deals with a rock star (known simply as Pink) and his depressing life. The music and animation are outstanding but the negative mood of the movie wears on you. Plus there's very little dialog. Based on the real life band member's experiences. Floyd fans will love it. Roger Waters has a cameo in the wedding scene.

The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1982)… John Cleese, Peter Cook, Michael Palin, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Pete Townsend, Sting, Phil Collins, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Donovan, Eleanor Bron, Pamela Stephenson, Alexei Sayle. Highlights of two separate Amnesty International fundraising shows from 1979 and 1981 is a combination of comedy skits (some by Monty Python group) and live music. Overall effort is ok but especially worth seeing for the performances of Sting (solo versions of Roxanne and Message in a Bottle) and Townsend (singing rare acoustic versions of Pinball Wizard and Won't Get Fooled Again).

The Weavers: Wasn’t That a Time (1982)… Lee Hays, Pete Seeger, Ronnie Gilbert, Fred Hellerman, Arlo Guthrie, Harold Leventhal, Don McLean, Holly Near, Harry Reasoner, Studs Terkel, Mary Travers. Documentary about the blacklisted folk group and their comeback concert at Carnegie Hall. The blacklisting happened during the McCarthy Era and the reunion happened when Hays was dying. Songs include If I Had a Hammer, The Disappeared, Good Night, Irene and the title tune. Definitely worth seeing.

Let's Spend the Night Together (1982)… Footage of three separate performances from the Rolling Stones' 1981 US tour is interesting but far from their best effort. All the songs were performed in big stadiums in front of massive crowds. The energy picks up as the movie goes on. This is the tour where Mick Jagger donned the home jersey of each local NFL quarterback in that particular stadium.

Human Highway (1982)… Neil Young, Russ Tamblyn, Dennis Hopper, Sally Kirkland, Dean Stockwell, Charlotte Stewart, Devo. Young and Tamblyn run a gas station in the middle of nowhere in forgettable movie except for the concert footage of Young and Devo. Directed by Young as Bernard Shakey. [The phrase “rust never sleeps” came from this movie.]

Starstruck (1982)… Jo Kennedy, Ross O'Donovan, Pat Evison, Margo Lee. Australian movie about a teenage boy's quest to transform his barmaid cousin into a rock singer. Director Gillian Armstrong also did My Brilliant Career.

Smithereens (1982)… Susan Berman, Brad Rinn, Richard Hell, Roger Jett. Pretty good story of a selfish and greedy woman who happens to manage a punk-rock band in New York's Greenwich Village.

DOA -- A Right of Passage (1982)… the Sex Pistols, Generation X, Rich Kids, Terry and the Idiots, X-Ray Spex. For punk rock fans only.

Brothers of the Road (1982)… The Allman Brothers Band after Duane Allman and Barry Oakley's deaths.

Earth, Wind and Fire in Concert (1982)… For EW&F fans.

Eddie and the Cruisers (1983)… Tom Berenger, Michael Pare, Joe Pantoliano, Matthew Paurence, Helen Schneider, Ellen Barkin. The story of a 50s rock band who mysteriously lose their lead singer, their saxophonist and some valuable tapes -- all in the same movie. Pare is very good as the legendary Eddie Wilson and the original score is excellent but script sags in places. Original music by John Cafferty. Followed by less appealing sequel, Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives!

The Royal Albert Hall Concert For Arms (1983)… Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Kenny Jones, Ronnie Lane, Jimmy Page, Charlie Watts, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman. Benefit concert for Lane, the original bassist for the Small Faces, who was struggling with Multiple Sclerosis.

Rock & Rule (1983)… Animated rock movie with good special effects and excellent score. Music furnished by Lou Reed, Debbie Harry, Cheap Trick, Iggy Pop and Earth, Wind and Fire.

Forever Young (1983)… James Aubrey, Nicholas Gecks, Julian Firth, Jason Carter, Alec McCowan, Karen Archer, Liam Holt. British movie about two young singers aspiring to make it as a duo has good music but not much of a plot.

A Night With Lou Reed (1983)… Energetic concert taped at New York City's Bottom Line Club. Catch it if you can.

Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars (1983)… David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick Woodmansy, Angela Bowie. The July 3rd, 1973 concert was Bowie's last as the Ziggy character. Directed by D.A. Pennebaker.

The Guess Who Together Again (1983)… Very good reunion concert.

Blues Alive (1983)… John Mayall, John McVie, Mick Taylor, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Etta James, Albert King, Colin Allen, Sippie Wallace. Reunion concert of the original John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.

Rock and Soul Live (1983)… Daryl Hall and John Oates.

This is Spinal Tap (1984)… Michael McKean, Christopher Guest, Harry Shearer, Rob Reiner, June Chadwick. Reiner's parody of a rock documentary is well done but a tad clichéd. The story revolves around the two leaders of an aging British heavy metal band on a last-gasp tour of the US. Some very funny bits and the solid acting make this film worth seeing but not a “must-see,” as some would lead you to believe.

Stop Making Sense (1984)… David Byrne, Alex Weir, Jerry Harrison, Tina Weymouth, Bernie Worrell, Chris Frantz, Steven Scales, Lynn Mabry, Ednah Holt. Expertly filmed and edited performance of a Talking Heads concert (over three nights) featuring lead singer David Byrne. Everything works -- the music, the lighting and the special effects.

That Was Rock (1984)… The best of The T.A.M.I Show and The Big T.N.T. Show remixed and released with extra color footage. Hosted by Chuck Berry.

Purple Rain (1984)… Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day, Olga Karlatos, Clarence Williams III, Jerome Benton, Billy Sparks, the Revolution, the Time. Semi-biographical story of young black rocker (known as The Kid) struggling for acceptance and fame. Well written but depressing script. Performances are enhanced by Oscar winning score with makes the film worth a look-see. Followed by less appealing Graffiti Bridge.

Streets of Fire (1984)… Michael Pare, Diane Lane, Rick Moranis, Amy Madigan, Deborah Van Valkenburgh, William Dafoe, Robert Townsend, the Blasters. Bikers kidnap female rock star and her ex-boyfriend spends the rest of the movie getting her back. Not bad but Pare's performance is disappointing coming off Eddie and the Cruisers success. Realistically filmed street scenes with a good rock score by Ry Cooder make this worth seeing but who decided to use 80s musical routines (complete with flashy lights and moon walking) in a movie supposedly set in the 50s? Lane's vocals dubbed by Laurie Sargent.

Yoko Ono Then and Now (1984)… Also features performances by John Lennon singing songs from their very good Starting Over album as well as Give Peace a Chance. Not bad.

Rock and Roll -- The Early Days (1984)… Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, Fats Domino, Everly Brothers, Bill Haley and His Comets, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Gale Storm, Joe Turner. Sketchy history of R&R including some rare clips and well worth a look. Gene Vincent, Pat Boone and Ernest Tubb are interviewed as well.

Give My Regards to Broad Street (1984)… Paul McCartney, Bryan Brown, Ringo Starr, Barbara Bach, Linda McCartney, Tracey Ullman, Ralph Richardson, George Martin. Lots of musical performances (including five Beatles songs) connected by so-so plot about some missing tapes. Highlights include the Eleanor Rigby and Ballroom Dancing segments as well as renditions of No More Lonely Nights and Here, There, and Everywhere.

Top Secret (1984)… David Zucker, Jerry Zucker, Val Kilmer, Lucy Gutteridge, Omar Sharif, Peter Cushing. Unusual comedy of an Elvis-like pop star getting involved with Nazis and the French resistance while touring in Germany.

The Secret Policeman's Private Parts (1984)… John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Graham Chapman, Peter Cook, Terry Gillian, Peter Townshend, Phil Collins, Donovan, Bob Geldof. Kind of a sequel features more Monty Python-type comedy with musical interludes. Not as good as the first one.

Du-beat-e-o (1984)… Ray Sharkey, Joan Jett, Derf Scratch, Len Lesser, Nora Gaye. A filmmaker is out to make a punk-rock movie in Los Angeles while continuously hassled by the local mob. Lots of outrageous (and sometimes offensive) energy but film has no direction.

Hard To Hold (1984)… Rick Springfield, Janet Eilber, Patti Hansen, Albert Salmi, Bill Mumy. Eock star James Roberts constantly pursued by women finally falls for the one who couldn't care less about him. Designed as a vehicle to promote Springfield but failed in the attempt. Features a few of his better songs though. [Mumy was Will Robinson in TV’s Lost in Space.]

David Bowie Live (1984)… Taken from the Serious Moonlight Tour is probably the best Bowie film. He is interviewed in his dressing room as an added treat for fans. Followed by David Bowie -- Serious Moonlight.

The Berserker Tour (1984)… For Gary Newman fans only.

John and Yoko: A Love Story (1985)… Mark McGann, Kim Miyori, Kenneth Price, Peter Capaldi, Phillip Walsh, Richard Morant. Mostly covers the relationship between John Lennon and Yoko Ono but also delves into the Beatles somewhat. Interesting subject matter suffers from average script but you get to hear 31 Beatles recordings.

*The Beach Boys: An American Band (1985)… The history of the band culminating with their annual Fourth of July Washington DC concert is pretty good even for non-fans if you ignore the choppy editing. Early performance clips are great as are some of their movie and TV appearances.

Does Humor Belong in Music? (1985)… Frank Zappa. From IMDB: Whether or not you're a fan of Zappa's music, philosophy, or looks, you'll like this live performance of his 1984 band captured live in NYC. The video quality is superb, since Zappa got his hands on some of the first digital video recording equipment available at that time. Performance-wise, this was arguably the best ensemble of artists he'd ever assembled, and both the performance and the music are superb. Really great concert footage from a band that knows how to give it their all. If you've listened to some of Zappa's live recordings before (such as the 'You Can't Do That On Stage Anymore' series), this video allows you to really see the band in action. For Zappa fans, this is a must. For fans of rock concert videos, you can't go wrong here.

Video From Hell (1985)… Frank Zappa. From IMDB: A must see for Zappa fans. It has clips from some of his other movies like 200 Motels and Uncle Meat and it also has some of the material he was working on at the time. Zappa's humor is seen throughout the movie but it is at its best during the Baltimore, Maryland obscenity in music trials. He really makes them look like idiots. But no Zappa is complete without a kick-ass guitar solo. This movie has Zappa and Steve Vai battling it out on stage in an unbelievable performance. The visuals in this movie are great.

Bring on the Night (1985)… Sting, Omar Hakim, Darryl Jones, Kenny Kirkland, Branford Marsalis, Dolette McDonald, Janice Pendarvis, Trudie Styler, Miles Copeland. Documentary about the formation of the Police rock group culminating with their first concert performance. Worth seeing even for non-Sting fans.

White Star (1985)… Dennis Hopper, David Hess, Terrance Robay, Cathy Haase, Ramona Sweeny. A freaked-out rock manager tries anything (staged riots, assassination) to place a record onto the charts. Hopper is a tad disturbing, as always.

Joey (1985)… Neill Barry, James Quinn, Elisa Heinsohn, Linda Thorson, Ellen Hammill, Dan Grimaldi, Frankie Lanz. Explores the relationship between troubled teen and his ex-rock star father. Features cameos by the Limelights, the Silhouettes, the Ad-Libs, the Elegants, Screamin' Jay Hawkins and the surviving members of the Teenagers.

Thunder Alley (1985)… Roger Wilson, Jill Schoelen, Scott McGinnis, Cynthia Eilbacher, Clancy Brown, Leif Garrett. The story of a young guitarist who joins the local band Magic and slowly becomes the main attraction. His popularity breaks the harmony of the group that eventually leads to tragedy. We've seen better, we've seen worse.

Crossroads (1986)… Ralph Macchio, Joe Seneca, Jami Gertz, Joe Morton, Robert Judd, Harry Carey, Jr. Uneven story about a about a young musician tracking down a dying bluesman who's character was loosely based on the legendary guitarist Robert Johnson. Seneca does a good job portraying Johnson. Ry Cooder's musical score also saves the film, as does Steve Vai’s guitar playing. The climax of the film is the 'Duel' between Cooder (doubling for Macchio on guitar) and Vai that makes the movie worth watching.

Sid and Nancy (1986)… Gary Oldman, Chloe Webb, Drew Schofield, David Hayman, Debby Bishop, Tony London. The true-life relationship between punk rocker Sid Vicious and groupie Nancy Spungeon is told in depressing but fascinating documentary-type fashion.

La Bamba (1987)… Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosano De Soto, Elizabeth Pena, Danielle von Zerneck, Joe Pantoliano, Rick Dees, Marshall Crenshaw, Brian Setzer. Exciting story of Ritchie Valens who rose from poverty to rock and roll fame before his premature death. Well casted with strong performances all around including the soundtrack by Los Lobos and Carlos Santana. Crenshaw plays Buddy Holly.

Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)… Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Etta James, Julian Lennon, Linda Ronstadt. Reviews the career of Berry and culminates with a live concert celebrating his sixtieth birthday. Features interviews with several other rockers and a spirited dressing down of Richards in the recording studio.

Jimi Plays Monterey (1987)… The complete set by the Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Monterey Pop Festival filmed by D.A. Pennebaker. The songs in order: Can You See Me, Hey Joe, Purple Haze, The Wind Cries Mary, Killing Floor, Foxy Lady, Like A Rolling Stone, Rock me Baby, Wild Thing.

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today (1987)… Paul McCartney, George Harrison, George Martin, Timothy Leary, Allen Ginsberg, Abbie Hoffman, Peter Coyote. The Beatles groundbreaking album, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, released in 1967, is explored in terms of creation, themes and impact. The film also examines the summer of love that same year – the counter-culture and the hippies – of which this album was the start.

Light of Day (1987)… Michael J. Fox, Gena Rowlands, Joan Jett, Michael McKean, Thomas G. Waites, Cherry Jones, Michael Dolan, Jason Miller, Michael Rooker. Jett and Fox play brother and sister who start a band and encounter nothing but problems -- musical and family -- along the way. Real life rocker Jett is great but script is too downbeat to really hold the viewer. Filmed on location in Cleveland and worth one viewing. Look for NIN Trent Reznor as the Keyboard player in rival band.

Uncle Meat (1987)… Frank Zappa et all. From IMDB: Uncle Meat, who sometimes goes under the guises of Don Preston (his keyboardist) and Biff Debris, is an eccentric character who believes in musical progress and enjoys drinking fuming beakers and transforming into a monster. After seeing footage of him (as Don) transforming in this way while fighting for musical progress, film editor Phyllis Altenhaus meets him in person and falls in love. Later the two meet again at a pool hall under the guises of Biff Debris and Sheba Flieshman and they share a kinky shower scene together where they indulge each other's fetishes of clothes and hamburgers and declare their mutual love. Meanwhile, Uncle Meat and his band are secretly working on a hit single (made up of household items carefully arranged on a cloth), which they hope will change the world for the better by improving everyone's karma. However, no matter what he does, he can't seem to compose a hit and eventually, after he and Sheba have been married for over twelve years, his obsession with composing a single drives her to the brink and Uncle Meat must choose between his music and the woman he loves. [Most all of the film's dialogue is on the album too.].

Stand by Me: Aids Day Benefit (1987)… Elton John, Meat Loaf, Herbie Hancock, Ben E. King, Boy George, John Entwistle, Zak Starkey, Andy Summers. Filmed at Wembly Arena, London.

Candy Mountain (1987)… Kevin J. O'Connor, Harris Yulin, Laurie Metcalf, David Johansen, Dr. John, Leon Redbone, Tom Waits, David Margulies, Roberts Blossom, Jayne Eastwood, Rockets Redglare, Wayne Robson. A struggling musician is determined to find the legendary guitar maker Elmore Silk.

Scenes From the Goldmine (1987)… Catherine Mary Stewart, Cameron Dye, Steve Railsback, Alex Rocco, Jewel Shepard, Mark Michaels, Pamela Springsteen, Timothy B. Schmit, John Ford Coley, Joe Pantoliano, Lee Ving, Lesley-Anne Down. Typical tale of a young girl trying to make it as a New Wave rock and roll singer in Los Angeles. [Pamela Springsteen is the sister of Bruce Springsteen.]

Hearts of Fire (1987)… Fiona Flanigan, Rupert Everett, Bob Dylan, Julian Glover, Richie Havens, Ron Wood. Forgettable story of female rock star's rise to fame. For Bob Dylan fans only. Soundtrack is below average.

Shake (1987)… The exciting set by Otis Redding at the Monterey Pop Festival filmed by D.A. Pennebaker.

Roy Orbison and Friends: A Black and White Night (1987)… B&W movie shot and recorded so well that you truly feel you are there. Bruce Springsteen, James Burton, Jackson Browne, JD Souther, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jenifer Warnes and others the legendary singer.

Imagine: John Lennon (1988)… Documentary, partially narrated by Lennon from Yoko Ono's personal files, is an intriguing inside look at the famous ex-Beatle. Also features Yoko Ono, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Cynthia Lennon, Julian Lennon and Sean Lennon with cameos by David Bowie, cartoonist Al Capp and journalist Gloria Emerson.

Elvis and Me (1988)… Dale Midkiff, Susan Walters, Billy Green Bush, John Cypher, Linda Miller, Anne Haney, Marshall Teague. Decent TV-movie adaptation of Priscilla Presley's book of the same name. Midkiff is adequate as Elvis, with singing once again dubbed by Ronnie McDowell. Priscilla served as technical advisor.

Tapeheads (1988)… John Cusack, Tim Robbins, Mary Crosby, Katy Boyer, Doug McClure, Connie Stevens, Clu Gulager, Lyle Alzado, Jessica Walter, Susan Tyrell, Don Cornelius, Junior Walker, Sam Moore. Silly movie about a pair of losers who make it big with their own rock video company. Has some funny moments and a few decent production numbers but on the whole falls flat. Cameos by Michael Nesmith (who also produced), Ted Nugent, Martha Quinn, Weird Al Yankovic and the Lords of the New Church.

The Return of Bruno (1988)… Bruce Willis, Michael J. Fox, Elton John, Bill Graham, Dick Clark, Joan Baez, Jon Bon Jovi, Phil Collins, Clive Davis, Wolfman Jack, Chip Monck, Graham Nash, Grace Slick, Paul Stanley, Stephen Stills. Willis plays Bruno Radolini, an unknown pioneer in rock history. Most of the movie consists of 'interviews' with people in the business and 'archival footage' of Bruno. The "documentary" ends in a real concert featuring Willis backed by a really good blues band.

Hairspray (1988)… Sonny Bono, Ruth Brown, Divine, Debbie Harry, Ricki Lake, Jerry Stiller, Pia Zadora, Ric Ocasek, John Waters. Better-than-expected story of a 1962 teen dance show in Baltimore, a kind of an off-the-wall American Bandstand. Tracy Turnblad becomes a star on the Corky Collins Dance Show and then starts speaking out against integration. Waters (Pink Flamingoes, Polyester, Cry-Baby) also directed. Toussaint McCall sings his 1967 hit, "Nothing Takes the Place of You."

Heartbreak Hotel (1988)… David Keith, Tuesday Weld, Charlie Schlatter, Angela Goethals, Jacque Lynn Colton, Chris Mulkey. Original story has Ohio teenager kidnapping Elvis as a gift for his divorced mother. Well-casted and worth viewing if you like this kind of a fantasy but don’t expect a great film. Elvis fans may not like certain aspects of the filmmakers’ interpretation of the King’s anger.

The Decline of Western Civilization Part II (1988)… Aerosmith, Kiss, Megadeth, Ozzie Osborne, Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Gene Simmons, Paul Stanley, Lemmy. Pretty good look at the Heavy Metal rock scene but features more interviews than music. Also features Poison, Lizzy Borden, Faster Pussycat, Seduce, Odin, London.

Satisfaction (1988)… Justine Bateman, Liam Neeson, Britta Phillips, Julia Roberts, Scott Coffey, Trini Alvarado. Uneven story of all-girl rock band (plus one guy) who spend the summer as a beach resort's house band. The girls have lots of energy but the script is lackadaisical. Neeson is miscast as the veteran rocker who tutors and seduces Bateman. Steve Cropper and Debbie Harry have cameos. Also known as Girls of Summer.

Tokyo Pop (1988)… Carrie Hamilton, Yutaka Tadokoro. Punk rocker travels to Japan in search of fame. Hamilton is good but overall results are disappointing. [Hamilton is the daughter of Carol Burnet.]

Purple People Eater (1988)… Ned Beatty, Shelly Winters, Beil Harris, Peggy Lipton, Chubby Checker, Little Richard. The story of an outer space monster trying to form a rock band on earth reminds us of low budget 50s flicks. It's based on the popular 1958 novelty song of the same name by Sheb Wooley who also has a cameo as a trapeze teacher.

Moonwalker (1988)… Michael Jackson, Sean Lennon, Kellie Parker, Joe Pesci, Brandon Quintin Adams, Dante Basco. Film clips of Michael Jackson's career on and off the stage with some performances and music videos thrown in.

Big Time (1988)… Tom Waits in concert and on the road interspersed with several performing vignettes.

U2: Rattle and Hum (1988)… Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., B.B. King, Phil Joanou. Follows the band through their 1987-88 Joshua Tree tour in North America. A must for fans and worth seeing once for others.

Great Balls of Fire! (1989)… Dennis Quaid, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, Lisa Blount, Trey Wilson, John Doe, Steve Allen. Energetic story of Jerry Lee Lewis, the rocker whose career took a tumble when he married his 13-year-old cousin. Quaid plays the piano but Lewis dubbed his own voice in realistic concert scenes.

Mystery Train (1989)… Masatoshi Nagase, Youki Kudoh, Screamin' Jay Hawkins, Cinque Lee, Nicoletta Braschi, Elizabeth Bracco, Joe Strummer, Rick Aviles, Steve Buscemi, Tom Noonan, Rockets Redglare, Rufus Thomas, voice of Tom Waits. Three stories depict different (Japanese, Italian, British) Elvis fans’ stay in a sleazy Memphis motel revealing how the king affected their lives. Worth seeing once.

Eddie and the Cruisers II: Eddie Lives! (1989)… Michael Paré, Marina Orsini, Bernie Coulson, Matthew Laurance, Michael Rhoades, Anthony Sherwood. Eddie is not dead, but now goes by Joe West, a construction worker in Montreal. He starts a new band of course but, like the first movie, is not as good as the original. For the first time though, emotional weaknesses surface in the Eddie character. Bo Diddley, Larry King and Martha Quinn have cameos.

Leningrad Cowboys Go America (1989)… Foreign comedy about a rock band (a real-life Finnish rock band) so bad, they're forced to seek fame on tour with their Russian manager in the United States. Different and sometimes dreary but well done and worth a look.

Crickets: My Love Is Bigger Than a Cadillac (1989)… Jerry Allison, Joe B. Mauldin, Gordon Payne, Paul McCartney, Bobby Vee.

25 x 5: Continuing Adventures of the Rolling Stones (1990)… Excellent documentary on the history of the Stones covers their beginnings, their drug busts, the deaths of Brian Jones and Ian Stewart and touring. Includes archival concert and television footage (Hollywood Palace, Shindig, Ed Sullivan Show, Top of the Pops) plus videos and interviews with the group at various stages in their career. Howlin' Wolf and Muddy Waters, who were two of their biggest influences, have cameos. First song played on the Sullivan Show: Time is on My Side.

The Story of the Beach Boys: Summer Dreams (1990)… Bruce Greenwood, Greg Kean, Casey Sander, Bo Foxworth, Arlen Dean Snyder, Laura Lee Hughes, Wendy Kaplan. TV-movie of the group concentrates mostly on Brian Wilson, the enigmatic leader, and Dennis Wilson, the wild man of the band. Good performances throughout and based on Steven Gaines' unauthorized biography.

The Wall: Live in Berlin (1990)… Roger Waters, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Levon Helm, Sinead O' Connor, Cindi Lauper, Albert Finney, Marianne Faithfull, Tim Curry, Bryan Adams, Thomas Dolby. TV-movie of the concert that celebrated the destruction of the Berlin Wall under the direction of former Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters. Jerry Hall plays the part of the party girl.

Cry-Baby (1990)… Johnny Depp, Amy Locane, Susan Tyrrell, Polly Bergen, Iggy Pop, Ricki Lake, Traci Lords. Typically campy John Waters film featuring Depp as a delinquent rocker (Wade "Cry-Baby" Walker) in love with a beautiful rich girl. Waters goes for the updated '50s exploitation angle but comes up short at times. Still, a lot of fun in a kind of a Rocky Horror High School kind of way. Cameos by Joe Dallesandro, Troy Donohue, Patricia Hearst, Joey Heatherton, David Nelson and Mink Stole add to the one-of-a-kind cast. Catch it if you can. "High school hell cats -- we love bein' bad 'cause it sure feels good!"

The Doors (1991)… Val Kilmer, Meg Ryan, Kathleen Quinlan, Frank Whaley, Kevin Dillon, Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Wincott, Billy Idol, Dennis Burkley, Josh Evans, Michael Madsen, John Densmore, Will Jordan, Mimi Rogers, Paul Williams, Crispin Glover. Oliver Stone's vivid biography of ill-fated poet rocker Jim Morrison's rise to fame. Well casted with excellent performances and good period music. Jordan again reprises his Sullivan role. Densmore, who appears at the beginning and the end of the movie, was the original Doors drummer. Stone has a cameo as a UCLA film professor as do Eric Burdon as the backstage manager, Bill Graham as the New Haven promoter, Bonnie Bramlett as a bartender and Billy Vera as the Miami promoter.

Truth or Dare (1991)… A look and Madonna -- onstage and off -- with energetic performances during her Blond Ambition tour. Features a cameo by then boyfriend Warren Beatty. Other cameos include Antonio Banderas, Sandra Bernhard and Kevin Costner. A must for fans and worth seeing for the curious.

Johnny Suede (1991)… Brad Pitt, Calvin Levels, Alison Moir, Catherine Keener, Tina Louise, Nick Cave, Samuel L. Jackson. Pitt is entertaining and believable (even if his pompadour is not) as Johnny Suede, an average rock and roller in the 90s who wants to be like his idol, Ricky Nelson from the 50s. A sleeper of a film and well casted and acted with an excellent soundtrack by veteran rocker Link Ray. Filmed on location in Brooklyn NY. Check it out. [Louise played Ginger on TV's Gilligan's Island.]

The Commitments (1991)… Robert Atkins, Michael Aherne, Johnny Murphy, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle. Foreign-made film about young Irishmen forming a soul band in Dublin. They cover hits like Mustang Sally, Too Many Fish in the Sea, Show Me, Chain of Fools, Midnight Hour. They have their moments (all of the actors performed the music) and is worth seeing but film lacks direction and a cohesive script. Filmed on location in Ireland. Look for the classic performance of James Brown singing Please, Please, Please.

Peefeeyatko (1991)… Frank Zappa Diva Zappa John Cage Pierre Boulez Matt Groening Ray Wallis Iannis Xenakis, Karlheinz Stockhausen. From IMDB: An intimate music portrait of Frank Zappa after he turned away from Rock and Roll and (started) working on new, contemporary, orchestral electronic music; in solitude and beyond any commercial conventions or commitments. It is the first time that Zappa has allowed a film crew to study him during compositional work, actually filming the first moments of a new compositional process. By contrast, in a staged interview Zappa gives comments on music. This film seeks to reveal the sensitivities of (his) personality and character also beyond narrative content.

The Five Heartbeats (1991)… Robert Townsend, Michael Wright, Leon, Harry J. Lennox. Average saga of a 1960s R&B group's rise to fame. Townsend also directs the story, which was loosely based on the singing group, The Dells. Townsend and Keenan Ivory Wayans wrote the script.

Shout (1991)… John Travolta, James Walters, Heather Graham, Richard Jordan, Linda Fiorentino, Scott Coffey, Glenn Quinn, Frank von Zerneck, Michael Bacall. The premise is good. Interesting concept of hip music teacher Jack Cabe introducing rock and roll to a bunch of young band members on a farm for delinquent boys in the mid-50s has promise. Unfortunately, the film misses due to a poor script, silly dialog and a boring romantic subplot involving one of the boys and the warden's daughter. Also missing is a legitimate feel for the period-- especially the music. Only one original song from the era (I was a Fool by Elmore James) was used. Robbie Robertson wrote and performed a couple of the others.

Jacksons: An American Dream (1992)… Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs, Angela Bassett, Holly Robinson Peete, Billy Dee Williams, Jason Weaver. TV-movie about the Jackson rise to fame from Indiana childhood to super stardom is pretty good and a must for fans. Worth seeing once. Jermaine Jackson II portrayed his father aged 13-17.

Spinal Tap Reunion… Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Bob Geldof, Robert Bauer, June Chadwick, Graham Nash, Rob Reiner, Kenny Rogers, Paul Shaffer, Martin Short, Mel Tormé, Fred Willard, Danny Woodburn. Ok reunion concert filmed mostly onstage in London. TV-movie.

Just My Imagination (1992)… Jean Smart, Tom Wopat, Richard Gilliland, Mary Kay Place, Audra Lindley, Gilbert Lewis, Lynn Milgrim, Ernie Sabella, Orson Bean, Pat Carroll. A small town teacher loses her job when a famous rock star and former high school classmate writes a suggestive song about her called Whompin' Pally Thompson. Average TV-movie.

Backbeat (1993)… Stephen Dorff, Sheryl Lee, Ian Hart, Gary Bakewell. Engrossing account of the John Lennon's relationship with original Beatles bass player Stu Sutcliffe. Most of the action takes place in Hamburg, Germany where the Beatles twice had long-running gigs before they became famous. The film recreates the period very well not to mention the excellent soundtrack.

Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story (1993)… Beau Bridges, Rob Youngblood, Scott Wilson. TV-movie about the relationship of Elvis Presley and his manager Colonel Tom Parker suffers from uneven script but picks up steam in the second half. Youngblood looks like Ricky Nelson early on but sounds like Elvis throughout, and is more convincing when drugs take control of the King's life.

Buddy's Song (1993)… Roger Daltry, Chesny Hawkes, Sharon Duce, Michael Elphick, Douglas Hodge. British film about a father's relationship with his musical son and estranged wife. Some good moments, especially when the energetic Daltry (former lead singer of the Who) is on screen, but script fails to hold one's interest and the original music is drab.

What's Love Got to Do With It (1993)… Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jenifer Lewis, Rae'ven Kelly, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Chi, Khandi Alexander, Penny Johnson, Robert Guy Miranda, Pamela Tyson. Examines the career of Tina Turner in a no-holds-barred energyfest. Basset and Fishburne play Ike and Tina to the hilt and make the films worth watching once.

Heaven Tonight (1993)… John Waters, Guy Pierce, Rebecca Gilling, Kim Gyngoil, Sean Scully. British film about an aging rocker Johnny Dysart who cannot accept his career is over - or that his son's is just beginning. Good performances all around but music is just average. Waters wrote and performed most of the songs.

Airheads (1994)… Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, Joe Mantegna, Chris Farley, Michael McKean, Amy Locane, Michael Richards, Harold Ramis. Desperate heavy metal rock band (The Lone Rangers) armed with squirt guns loaded with hot pepper sauce holds radio station KPPX (Rebel Radio) hostage and makes them play their demo tape. You know you’re in trouble when Beavis and Butthead’s call to the station is the highlight. Many cameos by several semi-famous people.

Road Racers (1994)… David Arquette, Salma Hayek, John Hawkes. A rock musician and his girlfriend are harassed by townspeople back in the ‘50s. TV-movie.

Empire Records (1995)… Anthony LaPaglia, Maxwell Caulfield, Debi Mazar, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Renée Zellweger, Ethan Embry, Coyote Shivers, Brendan Sexton III, Liv Tyler. From IMDB: “Empire Records is an independent music store in danger of being sold to a large chain. To raise money, they stage a wild party and in the process, come to terms with who they are and who they want to be. It's a tale of love, personal tragedy, and finding ones true self with the added splash of a little rock and roll.” Worth seeing.

The Reggae Movie (1995)… Dean Fraser, Shaggy, Rayvon, Buju Banton, Wayne Wonder, Luciano, Garnett Silk, Inner Circle, Shinehead, Mystic Revealers, Winston Rodney, Beresford Hammond, Carlene Davis, Freddie McGregor, Ziggy Marley, Sandra Bernhard, Chaka Demus, Dennis Brown, Apache Indian, Yami Bolo, Maxi Priest. A celebration of all styles of Reggae music.

A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes: The Annette Funicello Story (1995)… Annette Funicello, Eva LaRue Callahan, Linda Lavin, David Lipper, Frankie Avalon, Len Cariou, Andrea Nemeth, Shelley Fabares. Annette’s story from the Mickey Mouse Club through her Beach Party movies and short pop singer career up to the day she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Red Hot (1995)… Balthazar Getty, Carla Gugino, Jan Niklas, Donald Sutherland. A rebellious classical music student starts ill-fated rock and roll band in 1959 communist Russia. Interesting subject matter and the cast tries hard to make it work but the script drags in too many places.

Soul Survivors (1995)… Ian McShane, Isaac Hayes, Taurean Blaque, Derrick O'Connor, Al Matthews, Antonio Fargas, Margi Clarke, Patty Mack, Scott Wilson. After losing his job, Otis Cooke, a British soul music DJ in Liverpool, travels to the U.S. to convince The Tallahassees to reunite for a reunion tour of the U.K. TV-movie.

Tie-Died (1995)… Tries to capture the feel of the Dead Heads at a Grateful Dead concert. Filmed during the Dead's ‘94 summer tour, it will appeal mostly to the fans that follow the band around the country. This is an ok movie except for the fact that the Dead do not appear nor is their music heard because licensing was denied at the last minute. A decent band, Solar Circus, filled in the salvage the project.

Vibrations (1995)… James Marshall, Christina Applegate, Faye Grant, Paige Turco, Scott Cohen, Bruce Altman, David Burke, Steven Keats, Virginia Sandifur. O the way to a hot audition, promising rock star TJ Cray gets into a car wreck and loses the use of his hands. He starts drinking but meets Anamika who, with the help of her weird friends and artificial hands, becomes a superstar known as Cyberstorm. Not very good.

That Thing You Do (1996)… Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Jonathon Schaech, Steve Zahn. Struggling band rides the wave of one hit single and then breaks up circa 1964. Everything Hanks has a hand in has class and this film is no exception. Hanks wrote or co-wrote most of the music. [Tyler is the daughter of Aerosmith's lead singer Stephen Tyler.]

The Beatles Anthology (1996)… Made-for-TV documentary of the most popular recording group in musical history. Includes never before seen footage and two new Beatles songs. The 8-tape video set is twice the length of the ABC broadcast. The DVD set includes additional footage. All of them include concert footage, interviews, backstage clips, press conferences, home movies and studio cuts – lots of rarely seen material.

MasterCard Masters of Music Concert for the Prince's Trust (1996)… Pete Townshend, Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton and Alanis Morissette with Al Kooper, Ron Wood, David Gilmour, Gary Glitter and Zak Starkey. British TV benefit concert includes a performance of The Who’s Quadrophenia. Filmed at Hyde Park, London.

Shake, Rattle and Rock! (1996)… Renee Zellweger, Latanyia Baldwin, Max Perlich, Howie Mandel. TV-movie about two 1950s teenage girls who want to be rock and roll singers and open a nightclub against their parents wishes. Not bad. Paul Anka has a cameo.

Freebird: The Movie (1996)… Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson, Artimus Pyle, Judy Van Zant Jenness, Cassie Gaines, Teresa Gaines. Interviews, home movies and concert footage profile Lynyrd Skynyrd, the ill-fated rock band who rose quickly to fame but met their fate in an airplane accident.

Grace of my Heart (1997)… Illeana Douglas, Matt Dillon, Eric Stoltz, John Turturro. Follows the singing career of the fictional Edna Buxton, aka Denise Waverly, from her rise as a writer for singing groups in the late 50s on through the torrid 70s. Shades of Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Don Kirshner and Brian Wilson. Good acting and production values make this film worth seeing but script drags at times. Bridgett Fonda has a cameo and Peter Fonda is the voice of the guru.

Year of the Horse (1997)… Documentary of the 1996 concert tour of Neil Young and Crazy Horse (Frank 'Pancho' Sampedro, Billy Talbot, Ralph Molina). Director Jim Jarmusch interviews the band as well as showing backstage footage from the ‘70s and ‘80s. Also appearing are Larry Cragg (master guitar tech), Elliot Roberts (manager), Keith Wissmar (lighting) and Scott Young (Neil’s father).

In Search of the English Folk Song (1997)... Director ken Russell travels the English countryside interviewing performers who were involved at one time or another in the movie title’s theme. Included are Donovan, Fairport Convention, Osibisa, Eliza Carthy, So What, Edward II and The Albion Band among others.

Elvis Meets Nixon (1997)… Rick Peters, Bob Gunton, Alyson Court, Denny Doherty, Jackie Burroughs, Curtis Armstrong, Gabriel Hogan. Decent TV effort. Alexander Butterfield, Dick Cavett, Tony Curtis, Kevin McCarthy, Graham Nash, Edwin Newman, Wayne Newton have cameos.

The Temptations (1998)… Charles Malik Whitfield, D.B. Woodside, Christian Payton, Terron Brooks, Leon, Alan Rosenberg, Tina Lifford, Jenifer Lewis, Gina Ravera, Obba Babatundé. Quality NBC mini-series about the legendary Motown group. The drama follows their rise to fame, their decline and all of the trials and tragedies in between. Quality casting, script and music all the way.

Rock & Roll Invaders: The AM Radio DJ's (1998)… Documentary featuring the pioneer disc jockeys from the early days of rock. Included are legends such as Alan Freed, Wolfman Jack and Joe Finan. Included are discussions of early R&B influences, black DJ's and payola scandals.

The Brian Epstein Story (1998)… Paul McCartney, George Martin, Gerry Marsden, Billy J. Kramer, Stella Epstein, Peter Brown, Robert Stigwood, Johnny Gustafson, Bryan Barrett, Lionel Bart, Simon Napier-Bell, Joanne Petersen, Alistair Taylor, Lonnie Trimble. A fine documentary about the man who discovered the Beatles and other Liverpool bands like Gerry and the Pacemakers and Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas. Included are many interviews and rare archival footage. A must for Beatles fans.

Blues Brother 2000 (1998)… Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, Joe Morton, J. Evan Bonifant, Steve Cropper, Donald 'Duck' Dunn, Murphy Dunne, Willie Hall, Lou Marini, Tom Malone, Alan Rubin, Matt Murphy, Aretha Franklin, James Brown. Not as good as the first effort but, if you ignore the plot and dialog, the music will get you through. B.B. King, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Taj Mahal, Steve Lawrence, Paul Shaffer, Eric Clapton, Dr. John, Sam Moore, Gary US Bonds, Clarence Clemons, Grover Washington, Steve Winwood, Lou Rawls, Billy Preston, Bo Diddley, Isaac Hayes, Travis Tritt and Charlie Musselwhite also appear.

Kurt & Courtney (1998)… Kurt Cobain, Courtney Love, Nick Broomfield, El Duce, Tom Grant, David Grohl, Hank Harrison, Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear. A documentary on the life of Kurt Cobain and his relationship with Courtney Love.

Why Do Fools Fall in Love (1998)… Halle Berry, Vivica A. Fox, Lela Rochon, Larenz Tate, Ben Vereen, Little Richard. The story of three women out to claim royalties from 50's pop singer Frankie Lyman, all claiming to be his widow. Worth checking out.

Velvet Goldmine (1998)… Ewan McGregor, Jonathon Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Toni Collette, Eddie Izzard, Emily Woof, Michael Feast. A David Bowie-like rock star named Brian Slade (Meyers) vanishes after faking his own death onstage and a reporter (Bale) sets out to uncover the truth ten years later. McGregor plays rock star Curt Wild. Well-done British effort set in 1984 with decent soundtrack.

The Decline of Western Civilization Part III (1998)… Flea. Director Penelope Spheeris interviews some of the homeless punks in LA – some touching, some embarrassing.

Mr. Rock 'N' Roll: The Allan Freed Story (1999)… Judd Nelson, Madchen Amick, Paula Abdul, Leon, Bobby Rydell, Fabian. NBC-movie about the life of the 1950s Cleveland DJ who coined the phrase. Freed eventually was framed in the payola scandal which took a serious toll on his life. Filmed in Toronto. Leon played David Ruffin in the Temptations movie and plays Jackie Wilson here. Rydell and Fabian play a couple of angry fathers who hate the music.

Still Crazy (1999)… Stephen Rea, Billy Connolly, Jimmy Nail, Timothy Spall, Bill Nighy, Juliet Aubrey, Helena Bergström, Bruce Robinson, Hans Matheson, Phil Daniels. Strange Fruit, a fictional band of the 70s, reunites 20 years later for more sex and drugs and rock & roll. Kind of a serious British remake of This Is Spinal Tap. Director Brian Gibson also did What’s Love got To Do With It. The songs were co-written by Foreigner's Mick Jones and Chris Difford of Squeeze. [Connolly, who plays Hughie the roadie, is one of the top stand-up comics in England … Nail was in a couple of real bands playing guitar.]

Ricky Nelson: Original Teen Idol (1999)… Gregory Calpakis, Jamey Sheridan, Sara Botsford. The story of Ricky Nelson's rise (on his father's TV show), decline and rise again. Worse seeing once, but a must for fans. A VH1 made-for-TV movie.

And The Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story (1999)… Jay Underwood, Renee Faia, Christian Leffler. TV-movie spans their overnight rise to fame and eventual breakup during their CBS TV show. Cher is not always presented in a positive light as the story was based on Sonny's autobiography of the same name. Average script and production values but still entertaining for fans of the era. Faia does a great job as Cher. Jess Harnell and Kelly Van Hoose Smith do the actual singing. Sonny appears as himself at the end.

British Rock Symphony (1999)… Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Gary Brooker, Zak Starkey, Darlene Love. Concert featuring the music of The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, The Who and others. Filmed at Ragley Hall in Devon, England. Brooker was a member of Procul Harum. Starkey is Ringo’s son.

Sweetwater: A True Rock Story (1999)… Amy Jo Johnson, Michelle Phillips, Frederick Forrest, Kelli Williams, Adam Ant. A reporter decides to track the band that opened the 1969 Woodstock festival to find the lead singer - Nancy Nevins. Shortly after the Woodstock performance, Nevins was hit by a car and suffered damage to her vocal cords. She eventually rejoined the band in the mid-80s. A VH1 made-for-TV movie.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: An American Love Story (1999)… Bonnie Somerville, Brad Hawkins, Samaria Graham, Travis Fine, Kai Lennox, Dana Delany, James Coburn, Kathy Baker, Frank Whaley, Gerald McRaney, Troy Donahue, Elinor Donahue. Story about young musicians and racial tension in the 50s-60s music industry.

Detroit Rock City (1999)… Edward Furlong, Giuseppe Andrews, James DeBello, Sam Huntington, Natasha Lyorne, Lin Shaye. Gene Simmons produced film about four kids from Ohio trying to make it to a Kiss concert in the mid-70s. Features a performance by the band - Simmons, Paul Stanley, Ace Frehley, Peter Criss. Pass.

Sugar Town (1999)… Jade Gordon, John Taylor, Michael Des Barres, Martin Kemp, Larry Klein, John Doe, Ally Sheedy, Rosanna Arquette, Beverly D’Angelo. Washed-up LA rock band tries to deal with their decline. The three leads are played by real musicians who are pretty good actors as well. Not bad but a little more character development would have made it very good. The band is played by Des Barres (lead singer - Power Station), Taylor (base player - Duran Duran) and Kemp (bass player - Spandau Ballet).

It’s Only Rock N Roll (2000)… A VH-1 original documentary featuring the greatest moments of rock in film beginning with the Blackboard Jungle (Bill Haley's "Rock Around the Clock" became the first rock song in a feature film). Each decade is fully represented. VH-1 production.

Hollywood Rocks the Movies (2000)… Ringo Starr narrates this look at rock film subtitled, “The Early Years (1955-1970).” Features film and TV clips and interviews with directors and rock stars and also chronicles how rock movies tried to copy the changes in the youth culture.

In His Life: The John Lennon Story (2000)… Phillip McQuillan, Daniel McGowan, Blair Brown, Gillian Kearney, Lee Williams, Mark Rice-Oxley, Jamie Glover, Kristian Ealey, Palina Jonsdottir. Film traces Lennon’s life, age 16-24 to when the Beatles got the Sullivan gig. TV-movie shot on location in Liverpool including his boyhood home and the infamous Cavern Club where it all started. [First movie to gain access to the house where Lennon grew up … Originally shown on the twentieth anniversary of his death … She Love’s You is only original song because of copy write problems … Pete Best was a visitor to the set.]

The Beach Boys: An American Family (2000)… Kevin Dunn, Alley Mills, Frederick Weller, Nick Stabile, Ryan Northcott, Matt Letscher, Ned Vaughn, Jesse Caron, Dublin James, Amy Van Horne, Jad Mager, Raegan Kotz, Emmanuelle Vaugier, Camille Lanfield, Vanessa Dorman, Harris Laskawy, Clay Wilcox, Anthony Rapp, Eric Passoja. The best of the three Beach Boys movies. It should be, its 240 minutes long, focusing on the domineering father and confused genius of Brian Wilson. Also touches on Mike Love’s vital song-writing contribution and the Manson family’s intrusion into the life of drummer Dennis Wilson. John Stamos (Full House) was the executive producer and has toured with Love as his drummer since 1983. VH-1 production.

High Fidelity (2000)… John Cusack, Iben Hjejle, Todd Louiso, Jack Black, Lisa Bonet, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joan Cusack, Tim Robbins, Chris Rehmann, Ben Carr, Lili Taylor, Joelle Carter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, Sara Gilbert. Top 5 reasons to watch this movie… great soundtrack, good script, fine acting, the scenes in the record store and Bruce Springsteen. Beverly D'Angelo and Harold Ramis appear in extra footage of the DVD version.

Almost Famous (2000)… Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Francis McDormand, Kate Hudson, Jason Lee, Anna Paquin. True story of Rolling Stone rock writer Cameron Crowe. Follows his coverage of the (fictional band) Stillwater tour in the mid-70s and also touches on his family life in San Diego. Crowe (Jerry McGuire, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) also wrote and directed. [Hudson is the daughter of Goldie Hawn.]

Down From the Mountain (2000)… Ralph Stanley, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, Alison Krauss, John Hartford, Evelyn Cox, Holly Hunter, Suzanne Cox, Willard Cox, Buck White, Sheryl White, Sharon White, Chris Thomas King, Joel Coen, Tim Blake Nelson, Billy Bob Thornton. A documentary filmed at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville about the artists who performed the songs in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

The Ballad of Ramblin’ Jack (2000)… Jack Elliott, Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Kris Kristofferson, Odetta, Alan Lomax, Dave Van Ronk, June Shelley, D.A. Pennebaker. A documentary of Ramblin' Jack Elliott (born Elliott Adnopoz in Brooklyn) made by Aiyana Elliott, his daughter. Elliott was the vital link between close friend Woody Guthrie and the young Bob Dylan. He traveled the country performing the terminally ill Guthrie’s music in the 50’s and became the leading performer in the American folk music scene until Dylan’s rise to fame in the early ‘60s. Included are interviews with several of his peers but with Dylan conspicuous in his absence. [Elliott has appeared in two other movies: Roadie (1980) and Renaldo and Clara (1978).]

Two of Us (2000)… Aidan Quinn, Jared Harris. What might have happened when Paul McCartney visited John Lennon in New York to discuss a possible reunion, argue and chat about life in general. The VH-1 character study takes place in April 24, 1976 and is based partly on fact and partly on fiction. Directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg who worked with Lennon-McCartney on numerous projects including Let It Be. Hogg says the volatile chemistry between the two was captured well in the film.

Little Richard (2000)… Leon, Jenifer Lewis, Carl Lumbly, Tamala Jones, Garrett Morris. Leon is terrific playing rock pioneer Richard Wayne Penniman and the movie also has lots of great music. From his childhood to his rise to fame to his religion and his comeback. All rock fans should check this one out. Robert Townsend (The Five Heartbeats, Hollywood Shuffle) directs. Leon also starred in a The Temptations.

Hendrix (2000)… Wood Harris, Billy Zane, Dorian Harewood, Vivica A. Fox, Christian Potenza, Michie Mee, Kris Holdenried, Christopher Ralph, Christopher Bolton. Harris does his best Hendrix despite low budget treatment. Black and white footage of Jimi is also used. The rights to his original music could not be obtained so only the remakes (Dylan stuff, Star Spangled Banner, etc.) were used. We deserve better. A Showtime presentation.

Gimme Some Truth (2000)… John Lennon, Yoko Ono, George Harrison, Phil Spector, Nicky Hopkins, Klaus Voormann, Miles Davis. British TV-movie about the recording of the Imagine album. Rare archive footage with Harrison and Voorman is great and also includes the seen before but always fascinating scene with Lennon trying to reason with a confused fan outside his home.

Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back (2000)… W. Earl Brown, Dedee Pfeiffer, Kim Robillard, Tom Wood, Lisa Jane Persky, Zachary Throne, Jesse Lenat. Biography of the flamboyant singer who went from superstar to has-been within a few years. VH-1 movie documents his legal troubles, alcohol abuse, mental struggles and eventual comeback. Worth seeing once but a must for fans.

Daydream Believers: The Monkees Story (2000)… George Stanchev, Aaron Lohr, Jeff Geddis, L.B. Fisher, Colin Ferguson, Wallace Langham. The story of Hollywood’s version of the Beatles. Concentrates mostly on Mike Nesmith’s disenchantment with the music, his battles with Don Kirshner and his lack of control. Worth seeing once. VH-1 production.

The Linda McCartney Story (2000)… Elizabeth Mitchell, Gary Bakewell, George Segal, Tim Piper, Chris Cound, Michael McMurtry, Matthew Harrison, Aaron Grain, Jane Sowerby, Linda Ko. TV-movie follows Linda’s career as a rock photographer to Beatle wife and performer. Elizabeth Mitchell does a good job as Linda. This is Bakewell’s second film playing Paul (also Backbeat).

At Any Cost (2000)… James Franco, Eddie Mills, Glenn Quinn, Gene Simmons. Two brothers (with their best friend as a manager) start a rock band Beyond Gravity in Austin, Texas and try to make it big in Los Angeles battling drugs and artistic integrity all the way. Also known As: Exodus Live. VH-1 production.

Out of Sync (2000)… Gail O'Grady, Kari Wuhrer, Peter Outerbridge, Stewart Bick, Ryan Dennis, Jonathan Whitaker, Harvey Atkin, Jerry Ciccoritti. Retired vocalist makes a comeback and unknowingly helps a struggling record producer with his no talent protégé. She has family and legal problems along the way. VH-1 production.

The David Cassidy Story (2000)… Andrew Kavovit, Malcolm McDowell, Dey Young, Roma Maffia, Chandra West, Matthew John Armstrong, Katie Wright, Paul Ben-Victor. Pop star and TV star alike, Cassidy finds short-lived success but struggles in his relationship with his father, (actor Jack Cassidy who was married to David’s stepmother Shirley Jones at the time). VH-1 production.

Songcatcher (2001)… Janet McTeer, Aidan Quinn, Pat Carroll, Emmy Rossum, Jane Adams, Greg Cook, Stephanie Roth, David Patrick Kelly, E. Katherine Kerr, Muse Watson, Michael Davis, Michael Goodwin. Also features cameos by Taj Mahal, Iris DeMent and David Mansfield. In 1907, Dr. Lily Penleric discovers unheard Scots-Irish ballads in backwoods Appalachia that have been handed down from generation to generation. She collects them with the intention of publishing but things go wrong. Rossum's beautiful voice is a delight as well as DeMent’s. Mahal’s appearance on the banjo was too brief. Mansfield contributed some original stuff and does some pretty impressive fiddle work as well. Also features the singing of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Patty Lovelace. Sheila Kay Adams, who grew up listening to the accappella singing of English, Scottish, and Irish ballads in the mountains, was the dialect and singing coach. Beautifully filmed in Asheville, North Carolina.

Wingspan (2001)… The history of Paul McCartney and Wings following the band through the years 1971-80 via interviews, home movies and concert footage. Paul’s daughter Mary interviews him about his wife Linda, the band, the tours and his marijuana bust in Japan. Directed by McCartney’s son-in-law Alistair Donald. [Mary was the infant on the back cover of Paul’s first solo album].

Inside The Osmonds (2001)… Bruce McGill, Veronica Cartwright, Patrick Levis, Janaya Stephens, Joel Berti, Ryan Golden Kirkpatrick, Jason Knight, Miklos Perlus, Thomas Dekker, Taylin Wilson, Trevor Blumas, Colin Ferguson, Milton Bruchanski, Shane Davidson. TV-movie follows the Mormon singing family through the '70s including internal tensions and investment failures. The real Osmonds appear in the finale.

Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story (2001)… Karl Geary, Anthony Michael Hall, Adam MacDonald, Esteban Powell, Orlando Seale, Amber Valletta, Tat Whalley. Follows the success of the '80s British super group from their start in 1977, through Rick Allen’s car crash and ending in 1987 with the release of the Hysteria album.

Rock Star (2001)… Mark Wahlberg, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Williams, Deborah Leydig, Timothy Spall. Chris “Izzy” Cole is an ex-salesman who becomes the lead singer in a popular tribute band. Modeled after Tim “Ripper” Owens, the Judas Priest cover singer hired after the demise of Rob Halford. Starts well but eventually suffers from too many clichéd scenes. Decent soundtrack though.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)… John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask, Theodore Liscinski, Rob Campbell, Michael Aranov, Andrea Martin. A rock-and-roll drag queen’s bizarre life story, told mostly through music. Very well done if you like this sort of thing. Based on the hit off-Broadway show that ran in New York from 1998-2000. Mitchell also directed and co-wrote.

Standing in the Shadows of Motown (2002)… Bassist James Jamerson, drummer Richard Allen, drummer Benny Benjamin, drummer Uriel Jones, keyboardist Joe Hunter, keyboardist Earl Van Dyke, percussionist Jack Ashford, guitarist Robert White, keyboardist Johnny Griffith, percussionist Eddie Brown, arranger Paul Riser. Documentary of the Funk Brothers, Motown’s phenomenal house band from 1959-1972. They played on more number ones hits than the Beach Boys, the Rolling Stones, Elvis and the Beatles combined but never got their due until now. The surviving band members reunited in Detroit for this movie with the help of archival footage, still photos, narration, interviews and a live performance. Based on Jamerson’s biography by Allan Slutsky. Surviving funk Brothers Joe Messina, Johnny Griffith, Joe Hunter, Bob Babbitt and Richard "Pistol" Allen perform. [Jamerson is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Side-Men.]

Rising Low (2002)… Documentary of the musicians gathered together to record a tribute album to the late Allman Brothers bassist Allen Woody. Some of the great bass players participating include Jack Bruce (Cream), Jack Casady (Jefferson Airplane, Hot Tuna), Les Claypool (Primus), Bootsy Collins, Billy Cox (Jimi Hendrix's Band of Gypsies) John Entwistle (The Who), Flea (Red Hot Chili Peppers), Roger Glover (Deep Purple), Mike Gordon (Phish), Warren Haynes (Allman Brothers), Phil Lesh (Grateful Dead), Tony Levin, Chris Squire, (Yes) Michael Watt (Minutemen, Firehose).

Garage Days (2002)… Kick Gurry, Pia Miranda, Maya Stange. Decent effort about a struggling garage band in Sydney and, while it's not the most original script, it's pretty good energy/cast/direction wise. It has a good feel to it overall.

School of Rock (2003)… Jack Black, Adam Pascal, Lucas Papaelias, Chris Stack, Sarah Silverman, Mike White, Lucas Babin, Joan Cusack. From IMDB: “Down and out rock star Dewey Finn (Black) gets fired from his band, and he faces a mountain of debts and depression. He takes a job as a 4th grade substitute teacher at an uptight private school where his attitude and hijinx have a powerful effect on his students.”

Festival Express (2003)… Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, The Band, Buddy Guy, Delaney & Bonnie, The Flying Burrito Bros, Sha Na Na, Ian & Sylvia, Mashmakhan. Documentary of the famous train tour across Canada in the summer of 1970. They all lived and partied together for five days, stopping in major cities along the way to play live concerts and jamming in between on the train. Joplin, the Dead and the band are by far the stars of this movie.

The Howlin Wolf Story (2003)… The life of Chester Arthur Burnett, who influenced such British rock stars like the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Kinks, the Yardbirds and the Animals, is profiled in old clips and home movies. Filmmaker Don McGlynn also profiled Louis Prima, Charlie Mingus, Charles Chaplin and Glenn Miller among others in his films.

A Mighty Wind (2003)… Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Fred Willard, Catherine O'Hara, Eugene Levy, Bob Balaban, Parker Posey, Ed Begley Jr., Harry Shearer. What happens when the son of a deceased folk icon tries to organize a memorial concert featuring (fictitious) 1960s folk acts like Mitch and Mickey, The Folksmen and The New Main Street Singers at New York City's Town Hall. Guest (writer, director and actor) uses the documentary interview style to tell the story (like in the Spinal Tap movie). The performers were based on real life groups like Peter, Paul and Mary, Ian and Sylvia, the Kingston Trio and the New Christy Minstrels. [Guest is best known as Nigel Tufnel of the rock group Spinal Tap. McKean was also in Spinal Tap as rhythm guitarist as well as playing Lenny in "Laverne and Shirley." Shearer was the bass player Derek Smalls for Spinal Tap. "The Folksmen" was originally a sketch performed on "Saturday Night Live" by Guest, McKean and Shearer during the 1984-85 seasons.]

My Dinner With Jimi (2003)… Justin Henry, Royale Watkins, Jason Boggs, George Wendt. The story of the Turtle’s Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan.

Masked and Anonymous (2003)… Jeff Bridges, Penelope Cruz, Bob Dylan, John Goodman, Jessica Lange, Luke Wilson, Angela Bassett, Bruce Dern, Steven Bauer, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer, Cheech Marin, Giovanni Ribisi, Mickey Rourke, Christian Slater. A singer (Dylan) in the distant future, whose career has gone downward, is forced to make a live comeback for a benefit to save the world.

Greendale (2004)… Eric Johnson, Ben Keith, Elizabeth Keith, Erik Markegard, James Mazzeo, Sarah White. A movie version of the album, the film falls way short of entertaining the viewer. The music is good but the acting and filming is amateurish. The characters lip-sync all the songs as well. Neil Young (as Bernard Shakey) wrote and directed.

Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile (2004)… Brian Wilson, Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, Van Dyke Parks. Interviews trace the history of Wilson's abandoned 1967 album "Smile," a project that finally came to fruition 37 years later. The album (recently completed by Wilson with the Wondermints) was never originally finished because of Wilson’s mental and dependency problems. Some of the songs surfaced on other albums though. He became a virtual recluse afterwards. Parks collaborated with Wilson on "Cabinessence" and "Surf's Up," and it was also his idea to include an upfront cello on "Good Vibrations." Blaine is in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame as a session drummer.

Walk The Line (2005)… Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Fine biography of Johnny Cash, from the Arkansas cotton farm as a boy to his rise to fame with Sun Records through his drug addiction and marriage to June arter. Phoenix performed all of the songs himself and learned to play guitar from scratch. Shooter Jennings portrayed his father Waylon.

Elvis (2005)… Jonathan Rhys-Meyers, Randy Quaid, Rose McGowan, Tim Guinee, Antonia Bernath, Jack Noseworthy, Robert Patrick, Camryn Manheim, Clay Steakley, Mark Adam. Another telling of the story of Elvis Presley’s rise to fame. Well done with fine performances all around. CBS mini-series.

No Direction Home: Bob Dylan (2005)… From imbd.com: Roughly chronological, using archival footage intercut with recent interviews, a story takes shape of Bob Dylan's coming of age from 1961 to 1966 as a singer, songwriter, performer, and star. He keeps moving: on stage, around New York City and on tour, from Suze Rotolo to Joan Baez.

So there you have it. If I left anything out...consider it a hidden gem. Thanks to Film Archives Online for the input and info. So tell ya what...why not hit ebay, find some old vids, pick up some Jiffy Pop and have a rock n roll day!

STONEY