Search - Rebel Beat: The Story of L.A. Rockabilly on DVD

Brandon B. (brando)
Reviewed on 1/9/2009...

A great dvd for any music lover. It takes you to the true scene of Rockbilly. Great music and just a lot of energy. A true showing that Rockabilly isn't dead. If you love music check it out.

1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.

Not a good representation of LA rockabilly from the 70's & 8

B. Hudson | Everywhere | 09/01/2007

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I was disappointed in this representation. How could anyone talk about LA Rockabilly and not mention Art Fein or Club Lingerie??!!

This does mention Ray Campi and Ron Weiser, the Blasters, Los Lobos and the Paladins, oh, and Tony Conn, but it leaves out so many others. It does go as far as crediting Ronnie Weiser with the entire revitalization which is well deserved.

There is mention of the Stray Cats. Note to all, when Stray Cats came to LA, they hardly gave Ray and Ron - or any other LA Rockabilly artist, the time of day. Such brats... sorry to vent. They owed everything to Ron and Ray and really did very little if anything to acknowledge it when they had the chance.

There are so many artists and promoters missing. Maybe I will sit down and make a list, but it suffices to say, this seems to be more about the Latino version of the scene - not the Hollywood, rockin', all out ripping scene that had everyone so excited.

Picture lines of kids that wrapped around for blocks to get in, all dressed up in their finest, with hair too cool. From Hollywood to Orange County, the kids lined up to see bands like Ray Campi and his Rockabilly Rebels; Rockin Rebels; James and Rick Intveld; Rip Masters and the Cool & the Crazy; Rosie Flores; Red Devils; to name a few. I apologize to all of the names/bands not listed.

There were spin-off acts, too, that rocked - like Keith Joe Dick and James Harmon. Maybe in the best rendition, these might not have been mentioned, but I am mentioning them, here. :)

It also does not highlight Ronnie Mack and his barn dances at the Palomino that kept the scene alive as much as Art's bashes at the Lingerie had.

To go from interesting film and interviews on the 50's and skim right over the true 70/80's scene is a shame. Sooo much is left out of this that one can't even begin to get the real feel of the time. I was there and fully immersed in it. I knew all of these people and am very disappointed to see these kind of omissions. There was more footage on tattoos and 50's cars than the 70's/80's LA music scene.

This did not give full kudos to the real backbone(s) of the scene when it was all so hip to be rockabilly in LA. What I got out of it was that they felt they HAD to include Ray, so they did. After all, no one would ever accept this without Ray or Ronnie Weiser in it, but they really took license with the rest.

I don't negate the artists that are on here, but they were certainly not what brought the Hollywood and Orange County rockabilly fanatics out to party. Maybe there just weren't enough cameras in the 70's/80's, but there still should have been more mention of the actual artists and promoters of the time.

I am always happy to see rockabilly being promoted as it is incredible music and fun way of looking at life. This being said, this is not a very good representation of the 70's and 80's LA Rockabilly scene. I hope it inspires someone to make a more accurate one and do it all justice.

On a lighter, brighter note, I liked the description further on of the merits of authentic vintage rockabilly clothes, hair, etc. Loved the background music, too. The current LA scene looks interesting. I don't live in LA, anymore so I cannot review this aspect. Big Sandy seems more rockabilly/swing. Good, but I guess I am partial to roots rock rockabilly.

BH"