Every Friday, Deuce dips into the mighty Grab Movies catalog and recommends a movie that may have slipped your notice.
This Week's Selection: Mayor of the Sunset Strip
"And that's when I started to know Rodney. He knew more about English bands than I did. - David Bowie
His name is Rodney Bingeheimer, and he's probably one of the most influential people of American pop music for the past thirty years. Chances are, you've never heard of him. However, the list of bands he's introduced to American listeners is incredible: the Sex Pistols, David Bowie, Coldplay, The Ramones, X, Blondie, and more.
Many more.
Rodney Bingenheimer has had the good fortune to be in the right place at the right time, finding the right music. A club promoter through the 70's, a DJ since the 80's, Rodney's love of music has allowed him the good fortune to be involved in every pop music scene since the 60's (he was Davy Jones' stand-in in the Monkees), to the 70's (with his English Disco night club) and the 80's. A lot of people owe their careers to Rodney.
So why haven't you heard of him? It's because Rodney's the perennial groupie that has always done it for the love of music, not fame. And because of this, he's never truly received the respect he deserves. It's bittersweet to hear and see so many major superstars attribute their good fortune to Rodney's exposure, and more importantly his belief in their music, and yet to see the man living modestly in Los Angeles as he continues to do what he does while the music scene slowly moves on.
Personally, I've known of Rodney for years - he's been a local radio staple in Los Angeles for two decades that I can remember. His show is always eclectic, combining rare tracks and unknown bands that always seem to break out into superstardom. But I had no idea of his history in the music scene until this documentary.
I think
The Mayor of Sunset Strip captures more than just the rise and slow decline of a mover and shaker in pop music, I think it shows how the industry itself has changed (and not for the better.) The love of music slowly gives way to the commercialism of big business. It's a shame that people like Rodney are becoming the exception to the rule. Because if it weren't for people like Rodney, there'd be no one to play for.
A final coda: There has been a grassroots campaign to get Rodney Bingenheimer his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, due to his contributions to the music industry. He was turned down by the Committee, claiming they didn't know who he was. Instead, they gave a star to Ryan Seacrest. Like I said, it's a shame.
That's this week's recommendation. Keep coming back every Friday for more Sleeperdisc selections.
Grab.com
