Mayor of the Sunset Strip

Films/DVD Asylum

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Interesting Documentary about Rodney Bigenheimer, the Los Angeles D.J. for KROQ. He got his start as a stand in for Davy Jones in the Monkees, and was an all around gopher on the set. He was then taken in by Sonny and Cher. He basically starts his career as a hanger on, sort of a male groupie. Unlike real groupies, it is clear that he hangs around because he loves the music, and those that create the music.
The film intercuts his relationships with musicians, his family, his upbringing, and his professional rise and fall, and how all are interconnected. Starting with musicians: Among those interviewed are David Bowie, Brian Wilson, Joan Jett, Deborah Harry, Davy Jones, Ray Manzarek, Brooke Shields, Nancy Sinatra, Gwen Stefani, Alice Cooper, and Courtney Love. There are many shots of him with musicians such as Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney, Elvis Presley, The Ramones, The Sex Pistols, Phil Spector, and Linda Ronstadt. He appeared in videos with John Lennon, the Mamas and the Papas, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Ray Manzarek told a funny story about when The Doors were performing a festival with The Beatles on the bill, and Bigenheimer was responsible for the food. He let the Beatles eat all the shrimp. He figured that since they were the biggest, they should get the first choice. Apparently, they devoured the shrimp. He brought the tray to the Doors, with three shrimp left. The Doors complained about Bigenheimer letting the Beatles eat all the shrimp, to which he simply replied "Well, they're the Beatles."
The musicians interviewed clearly liked Bigenheimer. In no small part because he was apparently responsible for many of them beginning their careers in the United States by being the first to play them. He was the first to play Bowie, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones, No Doubt, Coldplay, Nirvana, and Oasis. They do not view him as a hanger on, but a genuinely nice person.
His ability to "discover" new acts made him the prime time D.J. at KROQ. But his current slot is the midnight to 3:00 a.m. slot. In other words, the graveyard shift. But it is instructive that Brian Wilson makes a live appearance on his slot, and David Bowie calls in. Another D.J. makes the statement that they are afraid to fire him.
His family is also shown. His mother, deceased, was apparently caring, but tortured. His parents were divorced with his was three. His father, who has remarried, appears rather distant. No pictures of Bigenheimer grace the living room. They are reserved for the back bedroom. In one scene, Bigenheimer gives his stepsister a personalized autograph of Elvis Presley, and said that he never got around to giving it to her. Curious, since Elvis has been dead since 1977.
Bigenheimer's love of music is shown in his apartment. There is countless memorobilia that is worth thousands of dollars. But he lives in a small, modest apartment, and drives a Nova.
The film is made by George Hickenlooper, responsible for the very good "Man from Elysian Fields", starring Mick Jagger. He elegantly weaves the many elements of Bigenheimer's life into an organic film that leaves us with the feeling that we have seen, and understand, his life. He dresses and looks like an aged rock star. His hair is the same mop top that was the style of the day. He is a man that smiles through the times that are passing him by, clinging to his memories, and his graveyard shift.
Recommended not only for those interested in popular music and musicians, but also for those who to see a non-musician who loves music, and whose life is virtually dependent upon music and those who create it. After seeing this film, he is one of the few persons that I would love to spend a few hours talking without asking for an autograph.

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Topic - Mayor of the Sunset Strip - jamesgarvin 11:52:22 04/24/05 (0)

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