MusicRadar
The place for music makers
12 awful rock movies you must see
Why sucky music flicks rule
Joe Bosso, Fri 3 Jul 2009, 5:46 pm UTC
Lots of people can make bad movies, but the truth is, that's never the plan. Most people set out to make great movies.
Invariably, they fail, and when it comes to making rock movies, that failure often takes on gargantuan proportions.
But the pantheon of awful, crappy and just plain stupid rock movies are a strange lot. Some - or most - of them are so absurd that they transcend their wretchedness and become watchable... and actually capable of putting a smile on your face!
What follows is MusicRadar's list of 12 awful rock movies you must see.
Are these great films? No - not by a long shot. But if you see them, you might be surprised at how something so bad can make you feel so good.
12. Roger Daltrey loses his freakin' marbles
Lisztomania (1975)
Why it blows: Because it has nothing to do with the life of the Hungarian composer Franz Liszt, allegedly portrayed here by The Who's Roger Daltrey. Nor does it have anything to do with reality. Director Ken Russell presents fellow composer Richard Wagner as Listzt's bitter rival (in truth, the two musicians were friends), so consumed by jealousy that he unleashes a cryogenic monster (played by a well-cast Rick Wakeman) along with a bunch of machine-gun toting Nazis. Nutty stuff.
Why you must see it: Well, because it's nutty stuff, full of endless scenes of excess, orgies and screaming women who faint at Liszt's concerts. Daltrey and Russell, drunk on the success of Tommy (released earlier that year), embrace the 'anything goes' ethos to the point of sheer lunacy. Check your head at the opening credits and it's wonderful entertainment. Best bit: Ringo Starr appears at one point, looking like he's wandered in from another movie - he plays The Pope!
Next: The Bee Gees and Peter Frampton butcher The Beatles
User comments (8)
-
I'd also have included at least one of Zappa's film-making attempts. Probably '200 Motels', which is sheer lunacy - not in a particularly good way, as the film makes no real sense. It's still a must-see, just because Ringo Starr does such an excellent job of playing Frank.
'Easy Rider' a rock movie? Why? Because of the soundtrack? -
Thank you SMPse. I think you're right.
-
@FMo
I think this is the movie,
Six-String Samurai (1998)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118736/ -
Hmmm... I really enjoyed "Easy Rider", even without any drugs, maybe your just to young to get it?
But I was actually reading the list, in hope of finding the name of a weird music movie I watched the ending of one day, and new found the title. It's about the world after a nuclear war, where Elvis is king of the only remaining city (I think it's Las Vegas), and then the king dies, and there has to be found a new king. So we follow this Buddy Holly look alike, with a sword and a guitar, who is trying to make it to Las Vegas, while he is being challenged by everybody he meets, and chased by a Slash-look alike with a white Fender and an entourage.
Does this ring a bell? And can anybody tell me the title, so I can watch the start? -
OK you missed "REPO: A Genetic Opera" (With Sarah Brightman and Ogre among others), and Phantom ofthe Paradise (though it was covered in Cult Films)
and While it isn't bad (and should be in Cult films), Ralph Bakshi's "American Pop" was widely panned on release. -
Zakk Wylde was also in rock star
-
Even though i quite like the Who i thought Tommy was an awful movie, i guess one has to use drugs to enjoy Easy Rider, i dont and didnt.
-
"Easy Rider" and "Tommy" ?
MusicRadar: *Fail*
You need to be logged in to post a comment. Login or Register to post a comment.
Poll
Blogs
-
Help Computer Music invade Hollyoaks!
Channel 4’s teen soap Hollyoaks spin-off The Hollyoaks Music Show is running a...
-
FM Quick Tip: Bart B More
Here is this weeks quick tip, direct from ADE with Dutch Bouncy Baltimore Bootleg...
ReviewFinder
Click to find gear in the following categories:
- Guitars (2983)
- Amplification (787)
- Computers & Software (1382)
- Recording (369)
- Keys & Synths (131)
- Drums (640)
- DJing (22)
- Publications (47)
- Clothing (2)
- Gadgets (13)
Buy here
MusicRadar Marketplace
If you're looking for great deals on gear, tuition, mastering, education or kit hire, click here for our new and improved marketplace.
lopopolop
17 weeks ago.