These films are just good, in a away they're responsible to make the younger generation love these artists who gave a lot during their heyday, I myself got to admire Johnny Cash and his all discography after seeing "Walk the Line" back in 2005

Walk the Line about Johnny Cash
Ray about Ray Charles
I'm Not Here about Bob Dylan
Shine about David Helfgott
La vie en rose about Edith Piaf
...etc

We have "All By My Side" starring André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix, getting an official release this year, but it looks more like an indie film, his director & screenwriter is the same who wrote the script for 12 Years a Slave.

Which artist do you think needs his own share?

(not sure if this is going to stay in the Non Prince board... but it's about music after all)

Sam Cooke.

JoeBala said:

Sam Cooke.

I DEF AGREE!

But nobody has his look or can sing like him

I find book biographies/autobiographies or a documentary more interesting and detailed than a biofilm, which is like Cliff Notes. They also often have stuff added to them that didn't really happen (The Temptations) to make it watchable to a general audience. But if I were going to see one, they'd be about:

Sun Ra

Johnnie Taylor

Moondog (there's actually a doc about him in production now)

King Records

Stringbean (country singer)

a movie about the mafia behind the scenes of the record business

Bob Wills

Celia Cruz

International Sweethearts Of Rhythm

Charley Pride

Genesis

Jose Feliciano

Thomas A. Dorsey

Lawrence Welk

Gap Band

Johnny Mathis

Rahsaan Roland Kirk

MickyDolenz said:

I find book biographies/autobiographies or a documentary more interesting and detailed than a biofilm, which is like Cliff Notes. They also often have stuff added to them that didn't really happen (The Temptations) to make it watchable to a general audience.

Sure thing, documentaries are even better, like "Searching for Sugar Man" from last year, that movie was really a good one and made us aware of Rodriguez and his work, I certainly became a fan after that film...

Shawy89 said:

JoeBala said:

Sam Cooke.

I DEF AGREE!

But nobody has his look or can sing like him

They can lipsync to Sam's recordings or get Steve Perry or Gerald Alston to re-record the songs. They were basically doing Sam's style anyway. I don't get this finding a lookalike of a person they're playing. Kurt Russell doesn't look like Elvis Presley, neither did the guy who played Elvis in the TV series about him in the late 1980s and nor does Gary Busey (Buddy Holly) & Lou Diamond Phillips (Richie Valens). Lawrence Hilton Jacobs has no resemblance to Joseph Jackson at all.

SuperSoulFighter said:

I'm very very happy that nobody made a film about James Brown. Let's hope there will never be one.

Mick Jagger is making one about him now.

The Marvin Gaye one's still on the way, I think - though who knows how that'll turn out.

I like these music biopics best when they're cheap 'n' cheesy - like the made-for-TV movies about The Temptations or The Jacksons, or even that one about Frankie Lymon. As you move up the scale, they seem to try and get more artsy, and it takes away from the 'comfort viewing' aspect that I enjoy about this kind of flick. That said, Walk The Line and What's Love Got To Do With It? are both very watchable, but then they don't try to get too fancy.

It's a shame that a Marvin Gaye biopic hasn't been released by now.If they did it right,it could be one of the best biopics ever.There's an intriguing story there,just waiting to be told.

deebee said:

The Marvin Gaye one's still on the way, I think - though who knows how that'll turn out.

There's a biopic of Miles Davis on the way too. Don Cheadle is said to be playing the legend...which I think is an excellent choice.

How about a Luther Vandross biopic?

hasn't the movie about Queen been cancelled?

and I think a biopic of MJ will never be done, too much controversy after the Dangerous era...

JoeTyler said:

hasn't the movie about Queen been cancelled?

and I think a biopic of MJ will never be done, too much controversy after the Dangerous era...

Not only that, but fans or even casual listeners won't appreciate another actor playing him, its just hard, you gotta find a black actor, then use a hell of lot of make up to make him look white

Maybe a film on MJ but only during OTW era or Thriller era, it'll be easy...

IMO a documentary is what I need concerning MJ, for Thriller & OTW era especially..

As well as Prince though, the man never released anything personal or from the studio (footage)...

Shawy89 said:

JoeTyler said:

hasn't the movie about Queen been cancelled?

and I think a biopic of MJ will never be done, too much controversy after the Dangerous era...

Not only that, but fans or even casual listeners won't appreciate another actor playing him, its just hard, you gotta find a black actor, then use a hell of lot of make up to make him look white

Maybe a film on MJ but only during OTW era or Thriller era, it'll be easy...

IMO a documentary is what I need concerning MJ, for Thriller & OTW era especially..

As well as Prince though, the man never released anything personal or from the studio (footage)...

I think a MJ movie would a masterpiece, if some Hollywood studio had the guts (and rights! lol) to make it, it would be a powerful drama about the lights and shadows of one the top artists of all time...MJ suffered like no other...for multiple reasons

and Prince needs to make another movie, starring as himself!!!

MickyDolenz said:

They can lipsync to Sam's recordings or get Steve Perry or Gerald Alston to re-record the songs. They were basically doing Sam's style anyway. I don't get this finding a lookalike of a person they're playing. Kurt Russell doesn't look like Elvis Presley, neither did the guy who played Elvis in the TV series about him in the late 1980s and nor does Gary Busey (Buddy Holly) & Lou Diamond Phillips (Richie Valens). Lawrence Hilton Jacobs has no resemblance to Joseph Jackson at all.

I agree. The only guy who looked like Elvis were these guys who both played him in a miniseries. Both lip syched.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers

He won his only golden globe award for his acting performance in Elvis so far.

and Michael St Gerard. Who I met in person a few years ago in NYC and told him how good he was in the series and he humbly said thanks. We talked for like 5 min. Really nice guy.

JoeTyler said:

Shawy89 said:

Not only that, but fans or even casual listeners won't appreciate another actor playing him, its just hard, you gotta find a black actor, then use a hell of lot of make up to make him look white

Maybe a film on MJ but only during OTW era or Thriller era, it'll be easy...

IMO a documentary is what I need concerning MJ, for Thriller & OTW era especially..

As well as Prince though, the man never released anything personal or from the studio (footage)...

I think a MJ movie would a masterpiece, if some Hollywood studio had the guts (and rights! lol) to make it, it would be a powerful drama about the lights and shadows of one the top artists of all time...MJ suffered like no other...for multiple reasons

and Prince needs to make another movie, starring as himself!!!

I searched in Google for MJ look alikes, (black MJ circa thriller),,, Nobody looks like him I guess its hard to pull off a biopic about him

Dre killed Jimi Hendrix look though

Also, this guy can do Prince

The lead singer Tony Williams of The Platters is another, but I doubt that will happen.

I don't ever hear anyone saying anything about an Otis Redding biopic. I think that would be interesting. Idris Elba has the height and the body build to play him, but would have to obviously lip sync the songs.

missfee said:

I don't ever hear anyone saying anything about an Otis Redding biopic. I think that would be interesting. Idris Elba has the height and the body build to play him, but would have to obviously lip sync the songs.

He is a musician, so I'm sure he can. He is an amazing actor and would pull it off.

JoeBala said:

missfee said:

I don't ever hear anyone saying anything about an Otis Redding biopic. I think that would be interesting. Idris Elba has the height and the body build to play him, but would have to obviously lip sync the songs.

He is a musician, so I'm sure he can. He is an amazing actor and would pull it off.

MickyDolenz said:

Wow, he looks like him an awful LOT

Well, the director is the one who did the Help which was an oscar favorite, plus, its been a long time since they awarded a biopic (Last being Walk the Line).

Or either way, this could end up being an awful Ray rip off.

I wonder if Elwood Blues is supposed to be Ben Bart.

Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker

2013 - 90 minutes

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The Ivory Emperor, the Black Liberace, Lil Booker, Little Chopin in Living Color… James Carroll Booker, III. Bayou Maharajah explores the life and music of New Orleans piano legend James Booker, the man Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.” A brilliant pianist, his eccentricities and showmanship belied a life of struggle, prejudice, and isolation. Illustrated with never-before-seen concert footage, rare personal photos and exclusive interviews, the film paints a portrait of this overlooked genius.

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The Viking of 6th Avenue

in production

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For the first time on film, The Viking of Sixth Avenue tells the story of Moondog, New York street icon, internationally renowned composer and the ultimate cult music figure.

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Charlie Parker and Benny Goodman hung out with him. Philip Glass lived with him, Steve Reich and Jon Gibson performed with him and all three modern music greats recorded with him. Janis Joplin covered his music, Ginsberg stuck it on his fridge and Andy Warhol’s mom designed one of his album covers. In the 60s he was a counter culture hero; today he’s celebrated and performed by the likes of Antony and the Johnsons, John Zorn, The Kronos Quartet and Jens Lekman. His ongoing influence can be heard in the music of artists from Bjork to The Books.

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Featuring a rich archive, including international TV, radio and film appearances, never- before-seen home movies and personal and crowd sourced footage and photographs, The Viking of Sixth Avenue examines the life and work of the one-time homeless musician whose influence on contemporary music continues to this day.

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Born in Kansas and raised across the Midwest, Louis Thomas Hardin lost his eyesight in an accident as a teenager and studied music at the Iowa School for the Blind. Arriving in New York in 1943, over the next three decades Hardin reinvented himself as Moondog and honed the handcrafted, otherworldly look and idiosyncratic musical style that would make him famous. Part outsider, Moondog was also in popular demand: he was a repeat guest on The Tonight Show, was frequently featured in newspapers and magazines and Columbia Records released several albums of his music. Moondog’s remarkable personal story spans over 80 years and takes him from Black Foot ceremonies in Idaho to a case involving the New York Supreme Court to being honored by European royalty. His unique musical journey has him performing with Salvador Dali, recording a children’s record with Julie Andrews and conducting the Brooklyn Philharmonic.

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In striking cinematic style, The Viking of Sixth Avenue is a feature length documentary that delves into the mystery of this fascinating man who devoted his life to music, eschewing all comforts and many personal relationships to pursue a singular artistic vision. The film goes beyond the popular spectacle of Moondog as the Viking to uncover the motivations of a man determined not only to create original music, but to live a truly original life.

"The Case of the Three Sided Dream" (2014) is the story of multi-instrumentalist Rahsaan Roland Kirk, who went from blind infant, to child prodigy, to adult visionary, political activist, and finally to paralyzed showman who toured and played music literally until the day he died.

Documentary site

[Edited 4/7/14 22:44pm]

Deep City: The Birth of the Miami Sound {2014}

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"Deep City" is an inspirational story that explores the early days of soul music in Florida, the era’s pioneers and their lasting contributions to the broader American musical landscape.

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During the mid-1960s, producers Willie Clarke and Johnny Pearsall masterminded Deep City Records. Both from the streets of Miami, they honed the business and musical skills learned in college and went on to change the face of soul music in Miami and eventually the country by creating the first black-owned record label in Florida.

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"Deep City" delves into the life and times of these groundbreaking producers, their label, the artists they spawned and the remarkable era in which they accomplished it.