>>>I guess I can understand why someone like you, obsessed with the facts, would be put off by some of the discrepancies you mentioned in your review … it must be hard for you to see any film pertaining to music, knowing as much as you do about the subject matter … but I think you will come to enjoy and appreciate the film more when you see it again and just accept it for what it is. Let the music speak for itself, lose yourself in the fantasy, and I believe you will have a much better experience. (Mary)
I think Mary may be on to something here. The average person going into a movie theater to see the new Elton John flick isn’t going to have the wealth of background information that YOU do … so they’re not likely to be put off by any of those discrepancies that bothered you so much.
Lighten up a little bit and you’ll enjoy the film a whole lot more.
Carrie
The problem is, as stated in my review, a movie like this promotes the opportunity for complete falsehoods to be misinterpreted as facts … which then become part of the history and legend, repeated again and again … and it’s just wrong. (We took a similar approach twenty years ago when we launched Forgotten Hits … oldies radio at the time was offering its listeners the same 200 songs again and again and again and we insisted that these oldies fans wanted … and deserved … more.)
The whole idea of a biopic is to pay tribute to an artist by establishing … factually … what that artist had to go thru in order to get to where he got! That journey should be documented factually. (Imagine if history books “embellished” the facts … where would we all be today?)
But this film goes WELL beyond “embellishing” … it flat out just makes things up!!!
It’s a disservice to the artist … and a disservice to anybody buying a movie ticket to come away from their viewing so misinformed. Interestingly enough, Elton John has an autobiography scheduled to come out later this year … what’s he going to do now? Set the record straight in the book and dispel all the bullshit he endorsed in the film … or just continue to let the myth perpetuate? Trust me … his story is PLENTY interesting enough with all the extra embellishment! (kk)
Thanks for the review of the Elton John movie, Rocket Man.
I think it is a good idea to see it again in a few months, like you mentioned. I commend you for being flexible.
I also commend you for your vast knowledge of the facts and the discrepancies of the movie. You are a factual person and it may be hard to tolerate the distortions and non-truths. I haven't seen it yet, but I am hoping to.
I heard the music is fantastic so I can’t wait to see his life story. I also understand that if a rock star has died, their movie is a lot more profitable for sentimental reasons.
Therefore, the "Rocket Man" movie may not be as lucrative, but that's ok. Kudos to Elton! We want Elton to live a long and happy life.
Take good care and Keep on rockin’.
Sandy
Hi Kent,
Rocketman is an incredibly wonderful movie.
The film did an awesome job of putting some of the world’s most powerful and memorable songs into historical and personal context. You see the genesis of one of the great pop franchises. And the midwives presiding at this wondrous birth are two overly sensitive dudes who live with their Moms. One writes poems and one has boogie woogie piano hands that have grown too big for the piano with the doily on it in the parlor.
I was expecting the current sensibilities toward gay sex to creep in, but no, the filmmakers took great care to preserve the leitmotif of despair and loathing that defined the era. In other words, it was anything but a loud advertisement for how great it is to be gay. The film did get loud, but with great joy that jumps off the screen and into your heart. I'm not a huge fan of musicals as a rule. And my main objection is that people don't tend to sing key moments of dialogue in real life, so how can I take it seriously. They DID sing the key moments out loud in this film and it worked very well. I suppose because the movie is about a guy who didn't have the power of spoken dialogue so much as he did the power of pure music.
It IS an adult film, but when rock star Elton has sex, finally!, you don’t feel like it’s a rock star having sex. You feel like a nerd loser just won the cheerleader and the lottery all at once. And you see how treacherous that personal pinnacle was. And how he has to hide it, and deny it, and put on a painfully happy face. To see the epilogue, in which Elton did find lasting love, is a nice cherry atop this tasty Sunday.
The kid who played Elton is an unknown no more. He is headed for the same kind of rocket ride.
Mostly it was about survival. A must see for all the survivors of our generation!!!
Jim Shea
kk …
Add this to your Elton John file.
FB
Elton John's Brother Slams Rocketman Over Biopic's Depiction Of His Father
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/elton-john-rocketman-dad-brother-family_uk_5cf4e4bee4b0e8085e3cadf0?ncid=fcbklnkukhpmg00000001&fbclid=IwAR2nhebw2ePy-fEbmVV57M50oGTeslFXq4AlIr6_OoBhpKKiopd9gm5Xxnw&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK2wp5xht7HKZYS5MjYpt1RplnfffJ0OQWLg7G5xz5W4MyArEYEDF98QP7FIC3OKYBh_PAAsBGjecXMExuuscEL70FJoBHswVBZhlaa1yDp0ng5UaLmk7CNk2plLvawQUgOUaWNOtDDH8Vj-IUxpkoUSP8vc627oGmMpAJLXaCbK
A couple of things I would have found interesting to include in the film was a bit more about Elton’s pre-stardom career. Besides playing in his own band Bluesology (eventually overtaken by Long John Baldry, the REAL “John” in Elton’s namesake), he also did quite a bit of session work, including providing the exceptional piano on The Hollies’ Top Ten Hit “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” Elton also recorded a number of those quick knock-off tracks as a studio musician put together by the budget record companies to try and cash in on the current hits of the day. Years ago we featured “Reg Dwight” playing and singing early ‘70’s hits like “My Baby Loves Lovin’,” “United We Stand,” “Yellow River” and “Spirit In The Sky.”
I think Mary may be on to something here. The average person going into a movie theater to see the new Elton John flick isn’t going to have the wealth of background information that YOU do … so they’re not likely to be put off by any of those discrepancies that bothered you so much.
Lighten up a little bit and you’ll enjoy the film a whole lot more.
Carrie
The problem is, as stated in my review, a movie like this promotes the opportunity for complete falsehoods to be misinterpreted as facts … which then become part of the history and legend, repeated again and again … and it’s just wrong. (We took a similar approach twenty years ago when we launched Forgotten Hits … oldies radio at the time was offering its listeners the same 200 songs again and again and again and we insisted that these oldies fans wanted … and deserved … more.)
The whole idea of a biopic is to pay tribute to an artist by establishing … factually … what that artist had to go thru in order to get to where he got! That journey should be documented factually. (Imagine if history books “embellished” the facts … where would we all be today?)
But this film goes WELL beyond “embellishing” … it flat out just makes things up!!!
It’s a disservice to the artist … and a disservice to anybody buying a movie ticket to come away from their viewing so misinformed. Interestingly enough, Elton John has an autobiography scheduled to come out later this year … what’s he going to do now? Set the record straight in the book and dispel all the bullshit he endorsed in the film … or just continue to let the myth perpetuate? Trust me … his story is PLENTY interesting enough with all the extra embellishment! (kk)
Thanks for the review of the Elton John movie, Rocket Man.
I think it is a good idea to see it again in a few months, like you mentioned. I commend you for being flexible.
I also commend you for your vast knowledge of the facts and the discrepancies of the movie. You are a factual person and it may be hard to tolerate the distortions and non-truths. I haven't seen it yet, but I am hoping to.
I heard the music is fantastic so I can’t wait to see his life story. I also understand that if a rock star has died, their movie is a lot more profitable for sentimental reasons.
Therefore, the "Rocket Man" movie may not be as lucrative, but that's ok. Kudos to Elton! We want Elton to live a long and happy life.
Take good care and Keep on rockin’.
Sandy
Hi Kent,
Rocketman is an incredibly wonderful movie.
The film did an awesome job of putting some of the world’s most powerful and memorable songs into historical and personal context. You see the genesis of one of the great pop franchises. And the midwives presiding at this wondrous birth are two overly sensitive dudes who live with their Moms. One writes poems and one has boogie woogie piano hands that have grown too big for the piano with the doily on it in the parlor.
I was expecting the current sensibilities toward gay sex to creep in, but no, the filmmakers took great care to preserve the leitmotif of despair and loathing that defined the era. In other words, it was anything but a loud advertisement for how great it is to be gay. The film did get loud, but with great joy that jumps off the screen and into your heart. I'm not a huge fan of musicals as a rule. And my main objection is that people don't tend to sing key moments of dialogue in real life, so how can I take it seriously. They DID sing the key moments out loud in this film and it worked very well. I suppose because the movie is about a guy who didn't have the power of spoken dialogue so much as he did the power of pure music.
It IS an adult film, but when rock star Elton has sex, finally!, you don’t feel like it’s a rock star having sex. You feel like a nerd loser just won the cheerleader and the lottery all at once. And you see how treacherous that personal pinnacle was. And how he has to hide it, and deny it, and put on a painfully happy face. To see the epilogue, in which Elton did find lasting love, is a nice cherry atop this tasty Sunday.
The kid who played Elton is an unknown no more. He is headed for the same kind of rocket ride.
Mostly it was about survival. A must see for all the survivors of our generation!!!
Jim Shea
kk …
Add this to your Elton John file.
FB
Elton John's Brother Slams Rocketman Over Biopic's Depiction Of His Father
https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/elton-john-rocketman-dad-brother-family_uk_5cf4e4bee4b0e8085e3cadf0?ncid=fcbklnkukhpmg00000001&fbclid=IwAR2nhebw2ePy-fEbmVV57M50oGTeslFXq4AlIr6_OoBhpKKiopd9gm5Xxnw&guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZmFjZWJvb2suY29tLw&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK2wp5xht7HKZYS5MjYpt1RplnfffJ0OQWLg7G5xz5W4MyArEYEDF98QP7FIC3OKYBh_PAAsBGjecXMExuuscEL70FJoBHswVBZhlaa1yDp0ng5UaLmk7CNk2plLvawQUgOUaWNOtDDH8Vj-IUxpkoUSP8vc627oGmMpAJLXaCbK
A couple of things I would have found interesting to include in the film was a bit more about Elton’s pre-stardom career. Besides playing in his own band Bluesology (eventually overtaken by Long John Baldry, the REAL “John” in Elton’s namesake), he also did quite a bit of session work, including providing the exceptional piano on The Hollies’ Top Ten Hit “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.” Elton also recorded a number of those quick knock-off tracks as a studio musician put together by the budget record companies to try and cash in on the current hits of the day. Years ago we featured “Reg Dwight” playing and singing early ‘70’s hits like “My Baby Loves Lovin’,” “United We Stand,” “Yellow River” and “Spirit In The Sky.”
His incredible string of hits that followed was unmatched … Elton was releasing two, three and four albums a year and still never ran out of material … but more on those early days BEFORE he had contemplated songwriting … or met his perfect match, Bernie Taupin, would have been interesting, too.
I would have explored his relationship with John Lennon and Ryan White more … covered the fact that Elton was a key component of “We Are The World” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” I would have featured a bit more on Princess Diana and how, through his own record company, he was able to breathe new life into the careers of Kiki Dee, Neil Sedaka and The Hudson Brothers.
And still, one of the funniest Elton John stories I can remember hearing, was from just a few years ago when a former assistant was talking about how unrealistically demanding Elton could be at times. Even John had to laugh at himself after arriving in New York City and telling his aide “It’s really windy here … see if you can do something about it.”
Hopefully his book will be a bit more forthcoming … although I have to ask again … will it essentially say, “Pay no attention to what we told you in the movie” … or will it just continue the fantasy? (kk)
I will be in the same room as a Beatle on Thursday night.
It will be a big room, of course.
Sir Paul McCartney will be playing the Kohl Center.
The last time I saw him was back in 1993 and I have passed on other tours. Thursday night he will be a short distance from my house … and this will be his first time ever playing in Madison, Wisconsin.
The set list from his latest tour has been impressive.
Here are the solo songs that I wish that he would do:
Daytime, Nighttime, Suffering, Getting Closer, Helen Wheels, Take It Away, Press, My Brave Face, I've Had Enough, Coming Up, Arrow Through Me and Put It There. These songs were all charted records. Band On The Run is his best album and he always does Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five and Let Me Roll It. These are very good songs, however, he could easily sub one of my ten picks. He normally does Beatle songs, Band On The Run songs and a few from his latest album.
I will let you know how the concert goes.
Phil Nee
WRCO
I’ve seen McCartney about a dozen times now and I think the only one on your list that I haven’t seen him do is “Daytime, Nighttime Suffering” … in fact, I’m not sure he’s ever done it!
We last went in 2001 … I’ve been a major fan since the beginning of time and it’s just heartbreaking for me now to hear the state of his vocals. He tries so hard … and I truly believe he means well … but he probably should have given it up twenty years ago.
Still, there’s something about the experience of seeing him … the electricity of the moment … but I’ve felt that moment many, many time now … and prefer to cherish the most POSITIVE memory possible. (Every once in awhile he’ll still come thru with a shining moment ‘tho… having a #1 album at the age of 76 is pretty damn impressive by ANY standard!!!) Still kinda hard to imagine the guy who wrote “Yesterday” singing “I just wanna Fuh-You” at this age ‘tho. John Lennon probably peed himself listening to THAT one!!!
Please do send us a review of the show! (kk)
Congratulations to our two latest Forgotten Hits winners …
Colin Donahue of Camanche, IA, just picked up a copy of Davie Allan’s latest CD, “Retrophonic 6” while a copy of Jim Peterik’s new World Stage CD is on its way to Robert Coleman of Plainfield, IL.
Thanks again to both of these artists for this great give-away. Readers can pick up their own copies of these two hot new releases thru the artists’ websites:
http://davieallan.com/
http://radi.al/WindsofChange
FH Reader Clark Besch chimes in on a couple of recent comments today …
>>>The film “Bad Times At The El Royale” featured a bunch of our favorite tracks from 1967 including “Bend Me, Shape Me” by The American Breed (now when did you EVER think you’d hear THIS song in a movie?!?!) kk
It's about time people DO appreciate this song in other ways, I guess. Too bad Gary Loizzo isn't around to reap any benefits of it.
FYI, the American Breed did have songs in movies in the ‘60's.
In "No Way to Treat a Lady," a 1968 movie, you get about ten seconds of the Breed's "Quiet Place." Isn't it odd how often rock groups got about ten seconds of music in a movie and got more time in the press from it!
I would have explored his relationship with John Lennon and Ryan White more … covered the fact that Elton was a key component of “We Are The World” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” I would have featured a bit more on Princess Diana and how, through his own record company, he was able to breathe new life into the careers of Kiki Dee, Neil Sedaka and The Hudson Brothers.
And still, one of the funniest Elton John stories I can remember hearing, was from just a few years ago when a former assistant was talking about how unrealistically demanding Elton could be at times. Even John had to laugh at himself after arriving in New York City and telling his aide “It’s really windy here … see if you can do something about it.”
Hopefully his book will be a bit more forthcoming … although I have to ask again … will it essentially say, “Pay no attention to what we told you in the movie” … or will it just continue the fantasy? (kk)
I will be in the same room as a Beatle on Thursday night.
It will be a big room, of course.
Sir Paul McCartney will be playing the Kohl Center.
The last time I saw him was back in 1993 and I have passed on other tours. Thursday night he will be a short distance from my house … and this will be his first time ever playing in Madison, Wisconsin.
The set list from his latest tour has been impressive.
Here are the solo songs that I wish that he would do:
Daytime, Nighttime, Suffering, Getting Closer, Helen Wheels, Take It Away, Press, My Brave Face, I've Had Enough, Coming Up, Arrow Through Me and Put It There. These songs were all charted records. Band On The Run is his best album and he always does Nineteen Hundred Eighty-Five and Let Me Roll It. These are very good songs, however, he could easily sub one of my ten picks. He normally does Beatle songs, Band On The Run songs and a few from his latest album.
I will let you know how the concert goes.
Phil Nee
WRCO
I’ve seen McCartney about a dozen times now and I think the only one on your list that I haven’t seen him do is “Daytime, Nighttime Suffering” … in fact, I’m not sure he’s ever done it!
We last went in 2001 … I’ve been a major fan since the beginning of time and it’s just heartbreaking for me now to hear the state of his vocals. He tries so hard … and I truly believe he means well … but he probably should have given it up twenty years ago.
Still, there’s something about the experience of seeing him … the electricity of the moment … but I’ve felt that moment many, many time now … and prefer to cherish the most POSITIVE memory possible. (Every once in awhile he’ll still come thru with a shining moment ‘tho… having a #1 album at the age of 76 is pretty damn impressive by ANY standard!!!) Still kinda hard to imagine the guy who wrote “Yesterday” singing “I just wanna Fuh-You” at this age ‘tho. John Lennon probably peed himself listening to THAT one!!!
Please do send us a review of the show! (kk)
Congratulations to our two latest Forgotten Hits winners …
Colin Donahue of Camanche, IA, just picked up a copy of Davie Allan’s latest CD, “Retrophonic 6” while a copy of Jim Peterik’s new World Stage CD is on its way to Robert Coleman of Plainfield, IL.
Thanks again to both of these artists for this great give-away. Readers can pick up their own copies of these two hot new releases thru the artists’ websites:
http://davieallan.com/
http://radi.al/WindsofChange
FH Reader Clark Besch chimes in on a couple of recent comments today …
>>>The film “Bad Times At The El Royale” featured a bunch of our favorite tracks from 1967 including “Bend Me, Shape Me” by The American Breed (now when did you EVER think you’d hear THIS song in a movie?!?!) kk
It's about time people DO appreciate this song in other ways, I guess. Too bad Gary Loizzo isn't around to reap any benefits of it.
FYI, the American Breed did have songs in movies in the ‘60's.
In "No Way to Treat a Lady," a 1968 movie, you get about ten seconds of the Breed's "Quiet Place." Isn't it odd how often rock groups got about ten seconds of music in a movie and got more time in the press from it!
In ‘69, they had the theme song to the French movie, "The Brain." That song was released on 45 in several countries.
Clark Besch
>>>Can you believe they are still finding these clips after all this time? (FB)
Long-lost Beatles footage to be revealed after 50 years - CNN https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/29/entertainment/beatles-lost-footage-intl-scli/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2019-05-29T21%3A03%3A15&utm_medium=social&utm_source=fbCNNi&fbclid=IwAR1Vl-0p7U0uPyTrX1s-KoHmMAVKOBpu9ltjRkKIGbpumV5acoAPHbFiUNY
As to the Beatles 1966 film from Top of the Pops, that's great except that the ONLY other song they did on that show was "Rain," which was the only EVER performance of that song by the band!!! Wish we could see THAT!!!
Clark
>>>Can you believe they are still finding these clips after all this time? (FB)
Long-lost Beatles footage to be revealed after 50 years - CNN https://www.cnn.com/2019/05/29/entertainment/beatles-lost-footage-intl-scli/index.html?utm_term=link&utm_content=2019-05-29T21%3A03%3A15&utm_medium=social&utm_source=fbCNNi&fbclid=IwAR1Vl-0p7U0uPyTrX1s-KoHmMAVKOBpu9ltjRkKIGbpumV5acoAPHbFiUNY
As to the Beatles 1966 film from Top of the Pops, that's great except that the ONLY other song they did on that show was "Rain," which was the only EVER performance of that song by the band!!! Wish we could see THAT!!!
Clark
Harvey Kubernik tells us about a brand new musical opening in August at The San Diego Repertory Theatre (San Diego REP).
Opening in August in San Diego, CA … The World Premiere of the Musical “33 1/3 - House of Dreams … The Story of the Legendary Gold Star Recording Studio and the Pop and Rock Hits Recorded There
33 1/3 - House of Dreams tells the story of the legendary Gold Star Recording Studios and its co-founder, lead engineer and hit maker, Stan Ross. In Hollywood for 33 1/3 years, Gold Star was the birthplace of some of the greatest pop and rock hits of all time. Imagine a story featuring the music of a young Phil Spector and his Wall of Sound, The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher, Tina Turner, The Righteous Brothers, Ritchie Valens and many, many more.
You won't believe the 30-song playlist, which includes rock n’ roll classics such as “Summertime Blues,” “La Bamba,” “Good Vibrations,” "Be My Baby," “Unchained Melody,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” and, yes, even “In A Gadda Da Vida.”
(The full list enclosed.)
It will run August 1 – August 25, 2019 at San Diego REP’s Lyceum Stage Theatre.
Your readers in the area will definitely want to check this out!
Harvey Kubernik
Here is the current song list as of May 24, 2019 (rights and licenses secured):
The Birds and the Bees, All of You, All I Really Want to Do, Unchained Melody, Cherry Bomb, Tequila, Be My Baby, Da Doo Run Run, River Deep Mountain High, This Guy’s in Love With You, It Was a Very Good Year, Let’s Dance, Rhythm of the Rain, Twenty Flight Rock, The Happy Whistle, Rebel Rouser, Summertime Blues, He’s a Rebel, In a Gadda Da Vida, It Had to Be You, All I Know, Chanson D’Amour, Wouldn’t it Be Nice, Good Vibrations, The Big Hurt, The In Crowd, Ghost Riders in the Sky, I Love How You Love Me, Grazin' In The Grass, Rockin' Robin
Kent,
I am always fascinated by these commercials that come on with background music from the early days of rock and roll and then some. I saw two new commercials on television today (at least new to me). They probably are airing right now as I speak in your area.
The first one is for Arby's in which the chef is singing IN THE SUMMERTIME while he is making roast beef sandwiches. Mungo Jerry he isn't!
The second is of BOA with the Spinners' RUBBERBAND MAN instrumentally playing in the background.
Larry
It’s always a kick for me, too, when I hear a new one using a classic oldie as its backdrop. With advertisers getting younger and younger, I am always fascinated wondering where they even heard this music in the first place … their parents maybe? Because a lot of them seem to fall in the somewhat obscure category based on traditional oldies airplay.
Think about it … we’re currently experiencing the 20th Anniversary of debut hits by artists like Britney Spears, N*Sync and The Backstreet Boys, all of whom dominated my kids’ playlists at the time.
Rolling Stone just did a GREAT article celebrating the 20th anniversary of the release of the #1 Hit “Smooth” by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas of Matchbox 20. These tracks are already “oldies” by definition if over twenty years old.
Think about that in context for a second … when we were growing up and The British Invasion hit in 1964, comparatively speaking that would have meant that radio should have been playing oldies from 1944 based on that 20-year rule … and that simply never happened.
Rock and Roll Music CREATED the term “oldies” … because THIS music has proven to live on forever. It is still uniquely and distinctly OURS … our music, our memories … and it is the power of this music that keeps us going today. (Heck, we still find a way to talk about it nearly every single day!!!) kk
Check out Rolling Stone’s “Smooth” article here … and see how these artists came together to give us this memorable hit …
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/santana-rob-thomas-smooth-oral-history-841189/
MARK BEGO FETES SUPREME GLAMOUR BOOK
Monday night found author Mark Bego in NYC hosting a party - with Mary Wilson - for their forthcoming book, “Supreme Glamour” (Thames and Hudson) at The Blackbarn restaurant. In the book, Wilson and Bego, present her unparalleled collection and style as Motown's leading act of the 1960's. With a foreword by Whoopi Goldberg, the book is set fora September release.
Ran outta time …
Watch for more memories tomorrow in Forgotten Hits! (kk)
