I ask again: Anyone seen "Mayor of Sunsit Strip" Bingenheimer docu

[darkstar]

Making the rounds through my cirlce of friends and you wouldn't believe the disussion it has sustained as both a rock movie and a bit of docu filmaking. Seemingly exploitve unitl you realize Rodney is on the commentary track. Strange and beautiful and oddly moving and tons of rock icons passing through on film.

Reccommeded to all DU rock and roll fans of a certain 40ish-50ish vintage.

[fishnfla]

1. I've heard about it but have not seen it

why dont you give us a some background: who is the mayor of sunset strip?

[darkstar]

3. Well, the "Mayor" is Rodney Bingenheimer (sp?)

A major uber fan celeb chaser from the 60's who took to the streets of LA at a tender age and somehow got into circles such as the Stones and the Doors where he was taken under protetive wing.

He moved in those sorts of ever expanding circles (seemingly knowing EVERYONE in rock), started a glitter/glam club in the 70's that didn't last too long, then kind of started the whole commercial alt rock scene on LA's KROQ. "Rodney on the ROQ." Pushed/helped break Nirvana, No Doubt, Green Day.

But his star is fading. He lives in a dingy place among mountains of rock memorabilia (Elvis's first drivers license!), drives a beater, and his only air time now is midnight to 3:00 on Sundays.

Layered into this is the American preoccupation w/ fame, his mission to spread his mothers ashes in England, a love unrequited, and TONS of rock personalities who run the gamut from being dismissive of the man who once helped make them stars to fake sincerity to genuine affection.

Bitersweet. Oddly commpelling.

[flamingyouth]

2. I was really surprised by that movie

First off, I'm a huge fan of Rodney's, so I wanted to see it when it was in theaters, but I never got around to it. Most of the reviews I read at the time said it was campy and hilarious.

So, I was really surprised when I saw it on DVD ... it was actually very sad, especially when he's spreading his mother's ashes in London and when his "girlfriend" turns out to not be his girlfriend after all.

I thought the movie was really well done and that there were some great cameos.

[darkstar]

4. Glad you thought so, too FY

I wasn't a Rodney fan, per se, as I'm from the midwest and never heard his show. But I knoew about him from the pages of Creem mag, etc.

Well edited. Nice choices thoughout, IMO, but therein lies the mostly vague, but sometimes pointed, sense of exploitation that hovers about the whole thing. Like I said, if it wasn't for Rodney's participation on the commentary track, I might have felt really conflicted about the whole thing.

And ughh. Kim Fowley is a way bigger creep than I ever knew.

Plus, for those still reading, on the DVD there is a bonus section of celeb interview outakes. The longest one is Brian Wilson and Elvis Costello meeting for the first time. For some, that alone might be worth the rental

[flamingyouth]

5. Oh yeah, I already knew about Fowley

But yeah, that film certainly cemented his creepy reputation.

I loved the outtakes too! :hi:

[tigereye]

6. didn't know it was out on DVD

maybe I should put in it on my X-mas list with the Bob Dylan bio.

Hi FY. :hi:

BTW there are two Cynics shows this weekend - they are playing on a show Little Steven does in Rochester NY and also here at a local venue. I have a desire to see them here - it has been a really long time.

[flamingyouth]

7. I haven't seen the Cynics since 1990 or '91

I can't remember the exact year, but it was a great show. The Mono Men and Girl Trouble opened, and Bon Von Wheelie from Girl Trouble played drums with the Mono Men. The Cynics were great!

My late husband was a roadie for them, back in the early '80s. Gregg is a hilarious guy. :D

[tigereye]

8. Girl Trouble!

Where did your husband grow up? Was he from my neck of the woods? Gregg is a little stuck on himself, but he seems to have mellowed a lot.

[flamingyouth]

9. Alan was from Kingston, Ontario

But he lived in Pittsburgh for a few months while hanging out with those guys. LOL about Gregg "mellowing out" - yeah, he always seemed a tad intense. :D