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Skeeter....Stop making Googly-Eyes at that Poodle on Mamas' SkirtAug 03 '03 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line Rock and Roll is here to stay.... Sam Phillips was once called The Man Who Invented Rock and Roll in one of the A&E cable networks' excellent biographies. He passed away this past Wednesday night and he will long be remembered for his influence and foresight in the music industry. Back in 1952 here in Memphis, he founded Sun Records and was the first person to record a certain young man that would touch many lives for years to come. Yes, you know his name. If you're a member of my generation you probably remember the hysteria that was felt the night he first appeared on the Ed Sullivan show. The producers wouldn't allow him to be seen from the waist down. They felt that it would be considered obscene, with that body moving in ways that no young woman of the era had ever seen before. As my Grandmother would say, It just wahn't fittin'. We could only see those eyes, those locks of hair falling across his brow, listen to that velvety voice and we knew there was something very special about this sexy young man named Elvis. And so it was in the earliest days of Rock and Roll. What was considered risque in those days is looked on today with a somewhat "Oh, wasn't that sweet" sort of attitude. Our parents didn't think it was sweet. They were convinced that listening to Rock and Roll music paved the way straight into purgatory. They did every thing they could think of to stop the flood of popularity that this new wave of music had created. They truly believed that their children were doomed to an eternity of fire and brimstone if they were subjected to this unique new sound that made their hips swivel and their pulses pound. Now just for the record, this isn't going to be a history of Rock and Roll. That would require thousands of pages and a whole lotta statistics. What this is going to be, however, is a collection of movies that have brought back some wonderful memories for me of the early days of Rock and Roll. It may be the music itself, the lives of the artists, or just the "feel" of the movie. In one way or the other, when I've watched these films I get this "Yea, Man, now that was Rock n' Roll" sense, almost like that of coming home. 10. ~ Peggy Sue Got Married ~ 1986 I've probably watched this movie more times than some of you have changed your socks (note to self...avoid these folks...). Kathleen Turner and Nicholas Cage are getting a divorce. You didn't even know they were married, did you? Well, they are in this film. Peggy Sue Kelcher Bodell (Ms. Turner) is so distraught over the demise of her marriage that she collapses at her high-school reunion. When she awakens, she is confused at first, but soon realizes that somehow she has gone back in time to her Senior year in High School. The more she tries to undo what she considers her past mistakes, the more she realizes what really counts in life. You'll also get to see Nicholas Cage, Helen Hunt and Jim Carrey in some of their earliest performances. Some of the songs that you'll hear include: Peggy Sue Got Married - Buddy Holly I Wonder Why - Dion and The Belmonts Teenager in Love - The Belmonts You Belong to Me - Marshall Crenshaw Shimmy Shimmy Ko Ko Bop - Little Anthony & the Imperials Just a Dream - Jimmy Clanton Tequila - Champs He Don't Love You (performed here by Nicholas Cage...the original hit was called "He Will Break Your Heart", by Jerry Butler). 9. ~ La Bamba ~ 1987 This is the biography of 17 year old Ritchie Valens, whose life was cut so very short when he died in a airplane crash on February 3, 1959, along with the Big Bopper and Buddy Holly. Ritchies' music had spread like wildfire and he appeared to have such a promising future. The story focuses on Ritchies' home, the poverty they endured, his relationships with his family and his deep love of music. Lou Diamond Phillips gives a wonderful performance in his portrayal of Ritchie. Marshall Crenshaw plays the role of Buddy Holly very convincingly (you may notice his name a few lines above this....he was the lead singer in the band at Peggy Sues' reunion). The actual performers of Ritchies' music in the film is done by Los Lobos. Some of the songs include: Donna - Ritchie Valens La Bamba - Ritchie Valens Come on, Let's Go - Ritchie Valens Rip It Up - Ritchie Valens We Belong Together - Ritchie Valens Lonely Teardrops - Howard Huntsberry Sleepwalk - Santo and Johnny 8. ~ That Thing You Do ~ 1996 Let's begin by stating the obvious....any list of films that I may concoct is going to have the name Tom Hanks in there somewhere. And this list is no exception. The dream of becoming a Rock and Roll star was a predominant thought in many a young mind back in the 60's. With fantasies of fame, fortune and a million girls oozing with adoration, young men took to their basements with drums and guitars. They convinced themselves that with just a little exposure they would become the stars of tomorrow. That is the premise of this film written and directed by Mr. Hanks himself. Four young musicians are discovered while playing at a local club and manage to record a hit record. They rise to stardom, just to tumble back down. The cast alone is impressive (Tom Hanks, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Ethan Embry), and the music is wonderful. Lovin You Lots and Lots - The Wonders That Thing You Do - The Wonders Little Wild One - The Wonders Hold My Hand, Hold My Heart - The Chantrellines Time To Blow - Del Paxton My World is Over - Diane Dane 7. ~ Dirty Dancing ~ 1987 Let me begin by saying that I really hesitated before adding this film to my list. The story itself would have never found it's place here, but the music was the determining factor. There were just too many really great Rock and Roll songs here for it to be ignored. So, you ask why I'm not so crazy about the story. It's totally predictable and Jennifer Grey could definitely use some acting lessons. But the music is wonderful! The characters are the same ones you've seen in dozens of other rich-girl-falls-for-boy-from-the-wrong-side-of-the-tracks movies. But the music is fantastic! The cliche'd "star" of the show just happens to get injured, which means, of course, our heroine must step in and take her place on the dance floor for the final big number. Give me a break (pun intended). But the music is terrific! Oh, did I mention that this film has some great Rock and Roll? Check it out for just a sampling... In the Still of the Nite - Five Satins (God, I love that song...) Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - The Shirelles These Arms of Mine - Otis Redding Some Kind of Wonderful - The Drifters Wipeout - The Safaris Big Girls Don't Cry - Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons Be My Baby - The Ronettes 6. ~ Christine ~ 1983 So what in the world is a Horror film doing on this list? Well, first of all, the soundtrack is wonderful. But even more importantly is the memory that it brings back to me when I recall the Horror in my fathers' eyes the first time he heard the lyrics to the Rolling Stones' Honky Tonk Woman (I laid her, then she covered me in roses). The only music I heard for the next few months were either the hymns at church or Lawrence Welk on Saturday night. Anyway, I digress. Directed by John Carpenter and based on the novel by Stephen King, Christine was a classic, shiny red 1958 Plymouth Fury....with a mind of its own. Now it wasn't so shiny or bright when first purchased by nerdy Archie Cunningham. This car becomes his obsession. Over a period of time the car begins to take on its own personality, and changes Archie from a geek to a real bad boy. The car also has a radio that begins by itself and only plays "Golden Oldies". Hey, that showed it did have good taste, even if it was just a tad murderous. Rock And Roll Is Here To Stay - Danny & The Juniors I Wonder Why - Dion & The Belmonts Beast Of Burden - Rolling Stones Keep A-Knockin' - Little Richard Not Fade Away - Buddy Holly We Belong Together - Robert & Johnny Little Bitty Pretty One - Thurston Harris 5. ~ The Buddy Holly Story ~ 1978 It is no wonder that Gary Busey was nominated for an Oscar in this film with his portrayal of the talented Buddy Holly. His earliest days of performing his own special style of music are depicted here, as well as some of the situations that he faced when he and his Crickets were mistaken for a black rhythm and blues group and booked to play at the Apollo Theater. The silence of the audience when the group walked on stage was something like that of a library. Not a sound was heard until Buddy Holly put it into gear and started singing with his soon-to-be-well-known energy and sparkle. The Rock and Roll world lost a bright star when Buddy Holly died in the airplane crash that also took the lives of the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens back in 1959. Some of the songs from the film... Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly Oh Boy - Buddy Holly That'll Be The Day - Buddy Holly Maybe Baby - Buddy Holly It's So Easy - Buddy Holly 4. ~ Selena ~ 1997 Here is another film based on the real life of a young musician that suffered a tragic death. Jennifer Lopez portrays the person of Selena Quintanilla Perez, known more commonly as simply "Selena". The movies follows Selenas' life as her popularity grows within the Latino community and her desire to bring her sound to America. She also falls in love and eventually elopes with a new member to her band, Chris Perez. It was discovered that one of her employees (Yolanda Saldivar) was embezzling money. Later, 23 year old Selena was found brutally murdered in a motel room, and Ms. Saldivar was charged with the crime. Some of the songs from the film include: Where Did The Feeling Go? Is It The Beat? Only Love Dreaming of You A Boy Like That I Could Fall In Love One More Time 3. ~ Grease ~ 1978 Grab your Brylcreem and your comb, fellas. It's time to slick back that hair, roll your cigarettes up in the sleeves of your white T-shirt and take your girl to the local malt shop. Grease is a silly, cute, wonderful look back at life in the 50's. The plot involves a Bad Boy, Greaser-type, Danny Zuko (John Travolta) falling for a sweet, Sandra Dee-type, Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton John) while on summer vacation. They think that they must part forever as the new school year begins, because Sandy is supposed to return to her home in Australia. Things are not as they seem, though, but I didn't really need to tell you that, now, did I? There are several other elements to the story, but what you'll remember the most are the dance numbers and the songs from this classic musical. Just a few of them are: Grease - Frankie Valli Hopelessly Devoted to You - Olivia Newton John Summer Nights - John Travolta Sandy - John Travolta Those Magic Changes - Sha Na Na (another song I could listen to over and over) Blue Moon - Sha Na Na Rock N Roll is Here to Stay - Sha Na Na You're The One That I Want - John Travolta and Olivia Newton John 2. ~ Back To The Future ~ 1985 This is such a fun film to watch. Take one of todays' kids and watch their reactions when they're transported back in time to the 50's. How would that youngster feel, seeing his parents as they were when they were teenagers. Interesting concept, right? Well, that's exactly what happens to Marty McFly (Michael J. Fox). He not only sees his parents, he gets to know them, and he must make sure they fall in love to ensure his very own existence. It's a challenge, though, when Martys' Mom "has got the Hots" for Marty himself. There were 2 sequels to this film, but this is the one that to me had the greatest Rock and Roll feel to it. And, of course, you know I'm going to give you some examples of the music... Mr. Sandman - Four Aces Heaven is One Step Away - Eric Clapton The Power of Love - Huey Lewis and The News Back In Time - Huey Lewis and The News Earth Angel - Marvin Berry and the Starlighters Johnny B. Goode - Marty McFly 1. ~ American Graffiti ~ 1973 This is what I consider the absolute, ultimate Rock and Roll film. The cast is tremendous ... Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Harrison Ford, Cindy Williams, Paul Le Mat, etc....as well as a brief glimpse at Ms-Thighmaster herself, Suzanne Somers (she's the one driving the white T-bird), pre "3's Company" fame. The settings and the costumes, the vintage cars and, of course, the music all give this movie an authentic feel of the 60's. The story takes place all in one evening...the evening before 2 young men are supposed to leave for college the next morning. They are looking for fun and excitement on this last night. For one of them, there is a serious discussion with his girlfriend, and a lot of contemplation as to whether he wants to follow his current path. There is also a little drag racing, some ka-noodlin' going on, and a little visit to Wolfman Jack, himself. Here is just a very small sampling of some of the music from the film: Green Onions - Booker T and The MG's Get A Job - The Silhouettes Runaway - Del Shannon Sixteen Candles - The Crests Chantilly Lace - The Big Bopper Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon Ain't That a Shame - Fats Domino You're Sixteen - Johnny Burnette Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets Crying In The Chapel - Sonny Till and The Orioles And 2 of my Top 5 Favorite Songs of all time... Since I Don't Have You - The Skyliners I Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos There are a few honorable mention films on this list... ~ American Hot Wax ~ 1978 ~ Eddie and the Cruisers ~ 1983 ~ Saturday Night Fever ~ 1977 ~ Idolmaker ~ 1980 ~ The Girl Can't Help It ~ 1956 So there you have it. Hopefully I've given you some ideas for a bit of great viewing when you're in the mood for a little drive down memory lane. I used to don my white saddle oxfords and my poodle skirt before I'd sit down to watch one of these films. I try to avoid that now, though, because when Skeeter sees that poodle, he grabs out the wine and the candles and it's really hard to heard the movie with the voice of Johnny Mathis crooning in the background. 8-) ~~Nedi~~  |
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