Jim, Jimi, and Howard and Jimi

The 1960s were a volatile time that affected many things in the world. One of the major contributors to the changes this decade created was the music that was being produced. This music was fresh and new and struck a chord with both young and old. That chord was blissful to some and sour to others. No matter what side of the dance floor you were on the effects of this revolution in how and why music was made could been seen, felt, and hear. I was a child at the time, and as such the music of the 1960s has always been a part of my consciousness. Because of this, I do not have the awareness of what it was like to hear this music for the first time. The only way that I have of understanding what music fans in the 1960s felt, when they heard these new bands and musicians, for the first time, is by combining my own experiences of the feelings a had listening to early Punk Rock, with biopics about 1960s music. There are three biopics about 1960s music that stand above the rest for me. When I watch these three films, they give me a sense of the excitement people must have felt hearing the artists, depicted in these films, for the first time.

The Doors

This 1991 film, is a director Oliver Stone’s, vision of the raise of the band The Doors, and the collapse into the abyss of their front man Jim Morrison, played by Val Kilmer. The film shows the excitement of the 1960s and the cultural revolution taking place in the decade. The Doors and Morrison were directly responsible for the changes in lifestyle and attitudes of many people coming of age at the time. Their name was taken from a quote by William Blake, “when the doors of perception are cleansed, everything will appear as it is, infinite.”. Part of this quote was also used by Aldous Huxley, to titled is book, about an LSD experience, The Doors of Perception. A few scenes in the film deal with Morrison’s use of LSD, and many scenes in the film deal with his use of other substances, as a way of attaining some type of enlightenment. In addition it shows Morrison getting sidetracked away from the use of these substances as a tool, to becoming trapped by them. The film also shows the chaotic relationship between Jim and his girlfriend, Pam Courson, played by Meg Ryan. Some members of The Doors feel that the film was not accurate. I feel that maybe Stone, in some ways, made this film more of an homage to the cultural revolution going on in 1960s, than to the band The Doors. I believe that is the true value of the film, rather than being an actual history of The Doors.

The Doors-Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU0tR0EjAXA

Hendrix

Directed by Leon Ichaso, and starring Wood Harris, as Jimi Hendrix, this 2000 film, attempts to depict the life and death of the guitar legend. As with The Doors, many feel this film is inaccurate, while some call it an outright exploitation of Hendrix. As with any period piece, people who were alive at the time or involved, will find faults and inaccuracies. I do not know if this film is actually showing me a slice of history or simply making a quick buck from the memory of someone I admire. What I do know is the film gives in a glimpse into the excitement people feel when they see or hear something for the first time. From what I have heard from people, who were of an age of understanding, about the first time they heard Hendrix, this films captures that “wow factor” and presents it to the viewer. The film may not depict how things actually were, however, it effectively gives a sense of social attitudes in transition.

“Hey Joe” Scene from “Hendrix”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgNvauPMbQE

My Dinner With Jimi

This film 2003, was written by someone who was there, The Turtles’ Howard Kaylan, played by Justin Henry. Although, many of the people in the film seemed like caricatures to me, the film shows us an exciting time in music history. Kaylan swears, “It’s an absolutely true story.”, of events that took place in his live and those of his band mates. These events took place between the years 1966 and 1967, when The Turtles were at the height of their popularity. The title of the film comes from the focus event of the film, where Kaylan has dinner, with the raising star, Jimi Hendrix, played by Royale Watkins. I adore this film, as it primarily shows the happy side of the music revolution that took place in the 1960s. What more could you expect from the front man of The Turtles.

Howard Kaylan, on The Turtles reaction, to My Dinner With Jimi

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMJMCdic8Qc

These three films, may or may not be accurate histories of those being portrayed in them, however, they are enjoyable films. They give those of us, who were too young, or not around, at the time, a sense of the chaotic decade of changes, the 1960s.

Related Links

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