Cocksucker Blues: Difference between revisions
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There was much anticipation for the band's arrival, with their having not visited the [[United States]] since the [[1969 in music|1969]] disaster at [[Altamont Free Concert]], in which a fan, [[Meredith Hunter]], was stabbed and beaten to death by [[Hells Angels]]. Behind the scenes, the tour embodied debauchery, lewdness and [[hedonism]]. |
There was much anticipation for the band's arrival, with their having not visited the [[United States]] since the [[1969 in music|1969]] disaster at [[Altamont Free Concert]], in which a fan, [[Meredith Hunter]], was stabbed and beaten to death by [[Hells Angels]]. Behind the scenes, the tour embodied debauchery, lewdness and [[hedonism]]. |
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The film was shot [[cinéma vérité]], with several cameras available for anyone in the entourage to pick up and start shooting. This allowed the film's audience to witness backstage parties, drug use ([[Mick Jagger]] is seen snorting [[cocaine]] backstage), [[roadie]] antics, and the Stones with their defences down. The provocative title notwithstanding, its nudity, needles and hedonism was supposedly incriminating and the picture was shelved, and this, this during a liberal climate that saw the likes of [[Cry Uncle!]], [[Deep Throat]], and [[Chafed Elbows]] playing in neighborhood theatres. A generic performance film, [[Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones]], was released instead, and Cocksucker Blues was forever shelved. |
The film was shot [[cinéma vérité]], with several cameras available for anyone in the entourage to pick up and start shooting. This allowed the film's audience to witness backstage parties, drug use ([[Mick Jagger]] is seen snorting [[cocaine]] backstage), [[roadie]] antics, and the Stones with their defences down. The provocative title notwithstanding, its nudity, needles and hedonism was supposedly incriminating and the picture was shelved, and this, this during a liberal climate that saw the likes of [[Cry Uncle!]], [[Deep Throat]], and [[Chafed Elbows]] playing in neighborhood theatres. A generic performance film, [[Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones]], was released instead, and Cocksucker Blues was forever shelved. A more likely scenario would have the financiers and distributors aghast by Frank’s stoned shapelessness. Curiously sparse on songs and ostensibly unconcerned with band’s musical process, the film, rather than act as bystander, becomes one with its subject. Haphazardly arranged, Cocksucker Blues is less a film than a chattering cocaine hum. |
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A more likely scenario would have the financiers and distributors aghast by Frank’s stoned shapelessness. Curiously sparse on songs and ostensibly unconcerned with band’s musical process, the film, rather than act as bystander, becomes one with its subject. Haphazardly arranged, Cocksucker Blues is less a film than a chattering cocaine hum. |
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"Cocksucker Blues" was also the title of a Rolling Stones song, recorded in 1970, that [[Mick Jagger]] wrote to be the Stones' final single for [[Decca Records]] as per their contract. The song is a parody of [[Dr. John]]'s ''The Lonesome Guitar Strangler'', released on his album ''[[Babylon_(Dr._John_album)|Babylon]]'' the year before, however its context and language was chosen specifically to anger Decca executives. The track was refused by Decca, although promotional 12" singles of it were pressed in the US, and was only officially released later on a [[West Germany|West German]] compilation in 1983, although the compilation was discontinued and since re-released without the song.<ref name = "Snopes">{{cite web | last = Mikkelson| first = B| coauthors = David P. Mikkelson | title = The Screw - An album of the songs was released on the Kornyfone Records label - a bootleg - # TKRWM 1822| url = http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/spector.htm| year = 2007| month = May| publisher = [[Snopes|Urban Legends Reference Pages]]| accessdate = 2007-08-16 }}</ref> |
"Cocksucker Blues" was also the title of a Rolling Stones song, recorded in 1970, that [[Mick Jagger]] wrote to be the Stones' final single for [[Decca Records]] as per their contract. The song is a parody of [[Dr. John]]'s ''The Lonesome Guitar Strangler'', released on his album ''[[Babylon_(Dr._John_album)|Babylon]]'' the year before, however its context and language was chosen specifically to anger Decca executives. The track was refused by Decca, although promotional 12" singles of it were pressed in the US, and was only officially released later on a [[West Germany|West German]] compilation in 1983, although the compilation was discontinued and since re-released without the song.<ref name = "Snopes">{{cite web | last = Mikkelson| first = B| coauthors = David P. Mikkelson | title = The Screw - An album of the songs was released on the Kornyfone Records label - a bootleg - # TKRWM 1822| url = http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/spector.htm| year = 2007| month = May| publisher = [[Snopes|Urban Legends Reference Pages]]| accessdate = 2007-08-16 }}</ref> |
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Revision as of 04:39, 24 November 2010
| Cocksucker Blues | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Robert Frank |
| Produced by | Marshall Chess |
| Starring | The Rolling Stones |
| Edited by | Robert Frank Paul Justman Susan Steinberg |
| Music by | The Rolling Stones |
Release date | 1972 |
Running time | 93 min |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Cocksucker Blues is an unreleased documentary film directed by Robert Frank chronicling The Rolling Stones' North American tour in 1972 in support of their album Exile on Main Street.
There was much anticipation for the band's arrival, with their having not visited the United States since the 1969 disaster at Altamont Free Concert, in which a fan, Meredith Hunter, was stabbed and beaten to death by Hells Angels. Behind the scenes, the tour embodied debauchery, lewdness and hedonism.
The film was shot cinéma vérité, with several cameras available for anyone in the entourage to pick up and start shooting. This allowed the film's audience to witness backstage parties, drug use (Mick Jagger is seen snorting cocaine backstage), roadie antics, and the Stones with their defences down. The provocative title notwithstanding, its nudity, needles and hedonism was supposedly incriminating and the picture was shelved, and this, this during a liberal climate that saw the likes of Cry Uncle!, Deep Throat, and Chafed Elbows playing in neighborhood theatres. A generic performance film, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Rolling Stones, was released instead, and Cocksucker Blues was forever shelved. A more likely scenario would have the financiers and distributors aghast by Frank’s stoned shapelessness. Curiously sparse on songs and ostensibly unconcerned with band’s musical process, the film, rather than act as bystander, becomes one with its subject. Haphazardly arranged, Cocksucker Blues is less a film than a chattering cocaine hum.
"Cocksucker Blues" was also the title of a Rolling Stones song, recorded in 1970, that Mick Jagger wrote to be the Stones' final single for Decca Records as per their contract. The song is a parody of Dr. John's The Lonesome Guitar Strangler, released on his album Babylon the year before, however its context and language was chosen specifically to anger Decca executives. The track was refused by Decca, although promotional 12" singles of it were pressed in the US, and was only officially released later on a West German compilation in 1983, although the compilation was discontinued and since re-released without the song.[1]
The film itself is under a court order which forbids it from being shown unless director Robert Frank is physically present.[2] This ruling stems from the conflict that arose when the band, who had commissioned the film, decided that its content was inappropriate and potentially embarrassing, and didn't want it shown. Frank felt otherwise — hence the ruling. However, bootleg copies of the film are available.
References
- ^ Mikkelson, B (2007). "The Screw - An album of the songs was released on the Kornyfone Records label - a bootleg - # TKRWM 1822". Urban Legends Reference Pages. Retrieved 2007-08-16.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ IMDb
External links
- Cocksucker Blues at Flickhead
- Cocksucker Blues at Subterranean Cinema
- Cocksucker Blues at IMDb
- ‹The template AllMovie title is being considered for deletion.› Cocksucker Blues at AllMovie
- Review by Rick McGrath
