Anyone See "Mayor of Sunset Strip"

[Yavin4]

That documentary blew me away. I was floored by it. Rodney Bingenheimer's life is soo fascinating, soo complex, and he's such an intriguiging figure. He's almost a real-life Zelig. But there's also this saddness about him. This is a man who pretty much got to live out a fan's rock star fantasy life, and yet, he seems so unfulfilled, so alone.

Also, you can just see how rock and roll is fading away from pop culture. It's no longer the force it once was. Music is now firmly in the control of mega media corporations, and people like Rodney Bingenheimer are being left behind like the silent movie stars once were when talkies came out.

[swag]

1. Yeah, I need to own a copy of that movie

Like all R&R documentaries made now ("End of the Century" about the Ramones and "Edgeplay" about the Runaways come to mind), it takes a bit too much of the MTV/VH1 approach instead of sticking to more filmic structures and aesthetics (of say "The Filth and the Fury"), but I enjoyed it immensely anyway.

The documentary I'm looking for to be made is one about Kim Fowley (who figured prominently in the Biggenheimer flick). Talk about your fucking fabulous psychos. Stand back, everybody.

What you say about Rock and Roll and society is true, and I think it parallels (though may not be related to) the political disengagement of our society, that allows something like Bush to happen.

Anyway, cheers to you, and thanks for bringing up this most worthy movie.

[tigereye]

2. aw crap

I meant to look for it at the video store! And I forgot.

[flamingyouth]

3. Yes, it's very good and very intense

It's much sadder than I had imagined too. Very well done documentary. :thumbsup: