Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution | |
---|---|
David Oppenheim | |
Written by | Leonard Bernstein, David Oppenheim |
Produced by | Pat Jaffe, David Oppenheim |
Starring | Leonard Bernstein |
Release date |
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Running time | 60 mins |
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution is a 1967 American television documentary by
Inside Pop followed other TV programs dedicated to contemporary rock, such as a 1966 ABC News special titled Anatomy of Pop,[2] but Oppenheim's documentary represented the first time that pop music had been presented on television as a genuine art form.[3] This acknowledgement coincided with a newfound appreciation, by cultural commentators and scholars, of the advances that the Beatles and other contemporary artists had made during the 1960s.[4][5]
Background
Bernstein, a classical composer and the director of the New York Philharmonic, was among the first American classical musicians to publicly recognize the artistic worth of the new wave of rock music led by the Beatles.[6][7] The status he held among conservative and middle-aged viewers allowed him to bridge the age and philosophical divide that separated them from the youth-centered message of this new music.[8] During the show, he described himself as "fascinated by the strange and compelling scene called 'pop music'"[9] and said that, while the majority of it was "trash", the remainder was "so exciting and vital … it claims the attention of every thinking person".[10] Bernstein also suggested that, while many parents might banish contemporary pop music from the family home, "I think this music has something terribly important to tell us adults."[11]
According to Beach Boys biographer
An interview with Wilson was attempted, but Oppenheim said the filmmakers were unable to "get much out of him" and was told by one of Wilson's "odd" associates that "he's not verbal".[13] Other discarded sequences featured Wilson at his swimming pool[13] and recording alone and with his group at a Hollywood studio.[15][nb 2] Leaf wrote that it was later decided to expand the scope of the program due to the band's waning popularity in early 1967.[12] There were ultimately no references to Smile in the film.[18]
Program contents
Part I
Inside Pop opens with an interview between Bernstein and songwriter
For the end of part one, Bernstein invited teenage folk singer Janis Ian to perform "Society's Child",[8] which she wrote about the then controversial issue of interracial romance.[3][23] Due to its subject matter, the song had been banned by many radio stations.[2][3]
Part II
The second part of the special includes footage filmed by Oppenheim in November 1966 of civil unrest in Los Angeles. Young people are shown
Singer-songwriter Bobby Jameson momentarily appears as a protester in the film, albeit uncredited.[26][nb 5] Herman's Hermits also appear,[3] as does Graham Nash of the Hollies.[2][nb 6] One of the program's final scenes is a film of Brian Wilson, on solo piano and vocals, premiering the original song "Surf's Up".[9][nb 7] In the narration accompanying his performance, Oppenheim remarks that the song holds too much to comprehend on an initial listen, and attributes a profound and elusive quality to the composition.[28]
Legacy
Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution premiered on the CBS network, on April 25, 1967,
Cast
Listed by order of first appearance:
- Leonard Bernstein
- Tandyn Almer
- Peter Noone (as "Herman of Herman's Hermits")
- Pam Polland
- Brian Wilson
- Graham Nash
- Frank Zappa
- Janis Ian
- Roger McGuinn (as "Jim McGuinn")
- Tim Buckley
- David Oppenheim
- John Hartmann[nb 8]
- Frank Cook
- Ann Sternberg
- Diane Tribuno
- Lisa Kindred
- Paul Jay Robbins
- Lorry Stanton
- Bobby Jameson
- Graham Gouldman
- Rick Stanley
See also
Related social and historical topics |
Related contemporary works by the featured musicians
|
References
Notes
- ^ Band publicist Derek Taylor arranged for Wilson to appear in the film.[14]
- candelabrum placed on his grand piano, was captured by three film cameras and deemed satisfactory for use in the documentary.[17]
- ^ Almer wrote "Along Comes Mary" for the Association, which was a top 10 hit on the Billboard charts in 1966.[19]
- ^ Decades later, Zappa reflected that after the 1960s, record executives were succeeded by their "far more conservative -- and more dangerous" hippie employees. He explained that "the old guys ... were willing to take a chance on an [unusual or experimental] idea, even if [they didn't] like or understand it. The new guys don't have that spirit."[25]
- Gail Sloatman (later the wife of Zappa) who characterized him as "somebody who was desperately seeking to be famous or die."[26]
- Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young.[27]
- ^ The song had yet to be released at the time.[9]
- ^ Identified through subtitle as a "manager.
Citations
- ^ ISBN 978-1-62356-956-3.
- ^ a b c d e Hall, Claude (May 13, 1967). "U.S. Business Reaches Teen Market Via Pop TV Shows". Billboard. pp. 1, 10. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f Metzger, Richard (2012). "Leonard Bernstein Explains the Rock Revolution to Squares in 1967's 'Inside Pop' Doc". Dangerous Minds. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ISBN 978-0-226-28737-9.
- ^ Hamilton, Jack (May 24, 2017). "Sgt. Pepper's Timing Was As Good As Its Music". Slate. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ Gendron 2002, pp. 171–72.
- ISBN 978-1-57806-965-1.
- ^ a b Marshall, Colin (March 28, 2013). "Leonard Bernstein Demystifies the Rock Revolution for Curious (if Square) Grown-Ups in 1967". Open Culture. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c d Mojo staff (August 27, 2013). "Brian Wilson, Frank Zappa & Graham Nash Go Inside Pop". mojo4music. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Sanchez 2014, p. 96.
- ^ Hoby, Hermione (June 17, 2012). "Are you ever too old for pop music?". The Guardian. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-448-14626-3.
- ^ ISBN 0306806479.
- ISBN 978-1-4094-0678-5.
- ISBN 978-0-87930-818-6.
- ^ Badman 2004, p. 166.
- ^ Badman 2004, p. 167.
- ^ Sanchez 2014, p. 97.
- ^ a b c Schudel, Matt (February 16, 2013). "Tandyn Almer, enigmatic composer of 'Along Comes Mary,' dies at 70". The Washington Post.
- ^ Frontani 2007, pp. 153–54.
- ^ Frontani 2007, p. 154.
- ^ Priore 2007, p. 144.
- ^ Priore 2007, p. 234.
- ISBN 978-1-906002-04-6.
- ISBN 978-0-671-70572-5.
- ^ a b Thomas, Bryan (May 21, 2015). "Remembering 'Mondo Hollywood''s Bobby Jameson". Nightflight. Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
- ISBN 978-0-9915892-1-0.
- ^ Sanchez 2014, p. 118.
- ISBN 978-0-300-17909-5.
- ISBN 9780786730742.
External links
- Inside Pop: The Rock Revolution at IMDb