Let's Talk Genre -- Rockumentaries

My My, Hey Hey. Let's talk rockumentaries today.

 

     Musicals have been around since the 78s (record speed, that is, not year). Rock-themed musicals like The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine are a little more contemporary, though obviously more ephemeral (does anyone even remember the Monkees’ Head). But what’s here to stay is the rockumentary. Their format is pretty basic. Act one: intro. Act two: behind the scenes set-up. Act three: concert.

     The Who’s 1979 The Kids Are Alright and Led Zeppelin’s 1976 The Song Remains the Same (a/k/a TSRTS) are held as standards, but they’re certainly not alone in the genre.

     Here’re a few of the best.

 

Gimme Shelter (1970)

     The first and best of the rockumentary genre. An amazing film by the Maysles brothers -- and, if you believe the rumor, a young George Lucas who was one of the camera operators -- documenting the fiasco that was the 1969 The Rolling Stones’ free concert at the Altamont Speedway. But perhaps even more remarkable than the murder caught on film is the image of the ever-slim ever-youthful 26-year-old Mick Jagger trying to maintain order over 300,000 people and a few dozen rogue Hells Angels allegedly hired for "security."

 

The Last Polka (1984)

     An underrated “mockumentary” -- This Is Spinal Tap seems to get all of the attention -- that follows the career ups and downs of Lutonian twosome, the Shmenge Brothers (John Candy and Eugene Levy as Yosh and Stan, respectively) and closes with a concert, the highlight of which is the tuba solo. Really.

    

 

Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)

     A tribute by Keith Richards, if you must know. Follows the career of the father of Rock 'n' Roll, Chuck Berry with a culminating concert in St. Louis featuring Berry and many of those whom he influenced like Eric Clapton with an especially interesting commentary by Bruce Springsteen.

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Elvis: That's the Way It Is (1970)
     Elvis in his prime. Nothing more need be said.

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...and, of course, it bears repeating, Young@Heart.

    

     And you? What bangs your head?

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