Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll

Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll.
1987 Universal Pictures and Delilah Films.
Featuring: Chuck Berry
The band: Keith Richards, Johnnie Johnson, Chuck Leavell, Bobby Keys, Joey Spampinato, Steve Jordan, Ingrid Berry
Guest musicians: Eric Clapton, Robert Cray, Linda Ronstadt, Julian Lennon, Etta James, Joe Walsh (uncredited)
Also appearing: Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Little Richard, Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon (archival footage)
Director: Taylor Hackford
Available from Amazon as a two-disc edition, or as a four-disc box set.

One of the architects of rock and roll stars in a decent documentary slash concert film to celebrate his 60th birthday. The live concert footage was filmed at the Fox Theater in St. Louis on October 16, 1986, although only about half of the movie is live music. For the first hour, we see interview clips from some of Chuck Berry's contemporaries, footage of Keith Richards rehearsing the backing band (with an argument between Berry and Richards in the middle of it), and plenty of footage of the star of the show; whether he's visiting old St. Louis landmarks from earlier in his life, or embarking to Columbus, Ohio to play a concert during the production of his film. Taylor Hackford accompanied him on this trip, where we learn that Berry only travels with his guitar (which he checks at the gate), and a briefcase with just a few toiletries inside it.

The concert footage, as expected, is excellent, as Keith Richards put together a decent band for Berry to lead, although Richards ends up playing nearly every guitar solo while Chuck dances around on stage. Despite being somewhat difficult during the production of the film and at the rehearsals, Chuck Berry is clearly having the time of his life onstage. All of the guest musicians shined, particularly Eric Clapton and his rendition of "Wee Wee Hours", which was the only song performed that wasn't an uptempo one.

This is an easy recommendation from me, and if you have to ask, get the four disc set. As of now, it's on sale for Amazon for very cheap right now, and worth every penny. In addition to the main film, the set includes extra rehearsal footage with Berry, Richards, Clapton and others. Disc two has a feature called "The Reluctant Movie Star" where Hackford and his crew discuss some of the problems they had with Chuck during production, including a filmed phone call where Berry demands an immediate cash payment, or he's leaving the film. Disc three has "Witnesses to History", essentially an extended interview with Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard where they discuss the ups and downs of their careers in music. Also, the third disc features "The Burnt Scrapbook" with Berry and The Band's Robbie Robertson. Disc four contains "Witnesses to History, Part II", three and a half hours of interviews with nearly every surviving early rock and roller, including the ones who had been showcased in the main film.

Get this one!