First Look Home Entertainment presents what has been dubbed “The Greatest Rock and Roll Movie of all Time”. Mayor of the Sunset Strip, A George Hickenlooper film, is a truly remarkable music documentary. The film tells the story of the life of Los Angeles KROQ radio DJ Rodney “On the ROQ” Bingenheimer.
The film chronicles Bingenheimer’s career as well as the history of the illustrious Los Angeles Sunset Strip from the 70’s to the present. His music show on KROQ began in 1976 and still airs today. Rodney was the first to break bands such as Nirvana, No Doubt, Oasis, The Strokes, The White Stripes and Coldplay. He was also owner of the small but famous “Rodney Bingenheimer's English Disco” Club that boasted a stage that had been graced by such greats as Bowie, Iggy Pop, and Led Zeppelin. The film itself features in depth interviews with Cher, David Bowie, Deborah Harry, Alice Cooper, and famed groupie Pamela DesBarres, just to name a few.
The story takes a poignant look at the life of an extraordinary man. A man so humble that he should have been a giant instead of a “friend to the stars”. He was best known for breaking music and for being on the cutting edge of new and innovative sounds. Rodney was once dubbed the “music messiah”. I love the interview section, especially featuring Cher who was like a Mother to Rodney, and Alice Cooper who is always a worthy addition with his candid and articulate storytelling. The content seems almost like a difficult trip for Rodney who is a very private and unassuming person who doesn’t seem to contain a single thread of arrogance although he has been friend to some of the most famous faces in the entertainment industry. He has been part of creating the “who’s who” in Hollywood history.
I think his success relies upon the fact that he is one of the few people in it for the music and not the fame. Rodney Bingenheimer is the man that truly gave underground music a chance, bringing it to the light and making it edible for mass consumption.
Overall, the film is well written, well produced, and well delivered. This is a worthy addition to any collection.
