Gonzorilla: Music, Movies, Comedy and Excessive Consumption

Film editor and creative collaborator Claire Didier shares the back stories of how the definitive Lynyrd Skynyrd documentary was put together. Claire and director Stephen Kijak assembled the photos, videos and audio recordings that tell the story of Ronnie Van Zant and Skynyrd’s rise from Florida poverty to the top of rock 'n' roll – only to have it tragically crash and end all too soon. It’s a funny and insightful look at the making of the film that fans of the original band won’t want to miss. 

The setting was the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, in the mid 1960s. The Whisky a Go Go and clubs up and down the street were the ultimate showcase for eclectic bands that brought together folk, rock, jazz and blues. At the forefront of this new wave was a group called Love. A wildly experimental band started by lyricist and founder Arthur Lee and guitarist Johnny Echols.

This comprehensive interview with Johnny Echols covers all the bases, from the inception of Love and how Johnny worked with artists like Jimi Hendrix and Billy Preston, to the recording of the first proto-punk rock single, “7 and 7 Is." And continues to the groundbreaking album, “Forever Changes,” still rated the number one rock album of all time by the British music press.

Johnny riffs with incredible stories and anecdotes about Little Richard, The Beatles, Jim Morrison, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Charlie Manson, Neil Young, The Monkees and so many more. It's a great trip down memory lane for those who were there, and for those who wish they were, the lowdown on so many great stories. Johnny Echols was there every step of the way.

The setting was the Sunset Strip, Hollywood, in the mid 1960s. The Whisky a Go Go and clubs up and down the street were the ultimate showcase for eclectic bands that brought together folk, rock, jazz and blues. At the forefront of this new wave was a group called Love. A wildly experimental band started by lyricist/founder Arthur Lee and guitarist Johnny Echols.

This comprehensive interview with Johnny Echols covers all the bases, from the inception of Love and how Johnny worked with artists like Jimi Hendrix and Billy Preston, to the recording of the first proto-punk rock single, “7 and 7 Is." It continues to the groundbreaking album, “Forever Changes,” still rated the number one rock album of all time by the British music press.

Johnny riffs with incredible stories and anecdotes about Little Richard, The Beatles, Jim Morrison, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Charlie Manson, Neil Young, The Monkees and many more. It's a great trip down memory lane for those who were there, and for those who wish they were -- the lowdown on so many historic musical figures. Johnny Echols was there every step of the way.

Al Kooper was the keyboardist for Bob Dylan on the albums, "Highway 61 Revisited" and "Blonde on Blonde," including the song, “Like a Rolling Stone,” (ranked number one single of all time by Rolling Stone magazine). He started as a professional songwriter in the 60s, founded the group Blood, Sweat & Tears and was a stage manager at the Monterey Pop Festival. He jammed countless times with his good friend, Jimi Hendrix, recorded with Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills, and played on hundreds of albums. He was a much sought-after studio musician for The Rolling Stones, B.B. King, The Who, Alice Cooper and Cream. 

In the 70s, he signed the original Lynyrd Skynyrd and produced their first three albums, including the timeless classic, “Freebird,” which has elicited frenzied “requests” from shouting fans at thousands of concerts since. Al Kooper produced the first Tubes album and the production masterpiece, “White Punks on Dope.” He also wrote “Backstage Passes,” maybe the best memoir book, ever, from a musician. I recently got a chance to talk to Al and he is one tough interview, but also a loyal supporter to countless artists and a man with a big heart.

Part 2 of 2 podcasts, devoted to the release of the new rock doc, Creem: America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine. In this episode, we talk with Jaan Uhelszki, one of the founding editors at Creem and one of the first women to write nationally about rock n’ roll. It’s a fascinating road trip through the backyard of the Creem offices in the 70’s. They were a group of outlaw writers, living in cramped quarters 24-7 and determined to reach rock readers with the unvarnished truth. Along the way, Jaan reveals rich stories on legendary misfits like Lester Bangs, Dave Marsh and Creem publisher, Barry Kramer. 

There probably isn’t a rock icon that Jaan hasn’t interviewed. In the 70 minute conversation (which does not drop in attention level), Jaan talks in great detail about Lou Reed, Neil Young, Ronnie Van Zant, Kiss, Ted Nugent, to name a few. Hear what it felt like, both intellectually and emotionally, to cover these seminal artists firsthand. Check show times and streaming info for the new Creem movie at www.creemmovie.com or their Facebook site.

In the history of rock ‘n’ roll, Creem was the only true Rock ‘n’ Roll magazine. It began in a run-down neighborhood of Detroit and at the epicenter of a rock movement (The Stooges, MC5) that was far removed from the commercial pressures of either Coast. This gave Creem the freedom to be bold, mercilessly speak the truth and damn the consequences. 

The magazine’s all-star staff included legendary critics like Dave Marsh and Lester Bangs. Decades after the magazine ceased publishing, its fanatical and loyal readers still celebrate Creem’s fearless, non PC humor.. and regard it not just as a magazine about rock, but an integral part OF rock. 

In this interview, documentary filmmaker Scott Crawford discusses the four-year making of the movie and the challenges, joys and obstacles to bringing this story of a revolutionary editorial movement to the screen.

When a plane crash in 1977 ended the career of the original Lynyrd Skynyrd, the world lost one of the greatest American rock bands. Skynyrd drummer, Artimus Pyle survived the crash, crawling from the wreckage and saving lives. For the first time, Artimus’ story has been brought to the screen in a dramatic recreation that focuses on the band's last few days. To get this film produced, the filmmakers had to navigate a dangerous swamp of lawsuits and litigation. Writer and Director Jared Cohn discusses the courtroom dramas and the stories behind the making of the movie – the highlight being one of the scariest crash sequences ever shot.  

Steve Moramarco (Superbean, Abe Lincoln Story), talks about his lampoon video, "Fu*k Youth," (600,000 Facebook views) and L.A.’s Silver Lake music scene in the 90’s. A compadre of Beck, before anyone had heard of "Loser," Steve reminiscences about the days before Alt Rock/Punk/Folk/R&B took off. Steve has taken off, himself – to Arizona and a new home. He’s broken free from the claustrophobic Cali lockdown, toward personal freedom and writing more satirical songs that skewer popular culture. Steve also plays two of his new songs live.

A trip down memory lane with Bob Bell, a music buyer for some of the biggest record store chains in the 90's. Bob describes inside details of the retail music industry, including how labels treated the birth of rap and alternative. The highlight is his account of the 15,000 Depeche Mode fans who swarmed a West Hollywood record store for an autograph signing that turned into a wacky madhouse out of a Hard Days Night.