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Best Rock and Roll Biopics of All Time Ranked

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Kevin Mazur.

Rock and Roll musicians always make interesting subjects for biopics, and often win Oscars like in the case of ‘Ray‘ or Bohemian Rhapsody.’

In recent years, we’ve seen the release of biopics about Bob Marley (‘Bob Marley: One Love‘), Amy Winehouse (‘Back to Black‘), Bob Dylan (‘A Complete Unknown‘), and Bruce Springsteen (‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere‘), and now we have ‘Michael‘ opening in theaters on April 24th, which stars Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson.
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In honor of the new film, Moviefone is counting down the top 20 Rock and Roll biopics of all time.

NOTE: Since the term “Rock and Roll” can cover several different genres of music, we are only including movies about musical artists who were known for performing popular music within the rock genre, including jazz, blues, country, rap, etc.

Without further ado, let’s begin!

Related Article: Edward Norton and Monica Barbaro Talk Dylan Biopic ‘A Complete Unknown’

20. ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere‘ (2025)

Jeremy Allen White as Bruce Springsteen in 20th Century Studios’ ‘Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Bruce Springsteen (Jeremy Allen White), a young musician on the cusp of global superstardom, struggles to reconcile the pressures of success with the ghosts of his past.
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19. ‘Bob Marley: One Love‘ (2024)

Kingsley Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ from Paramount Pictures.

Jamaican singer-songwriter Bob Marley (Kingsley Ben-Adir) overcomes adversity to become the most famous reggae musician in the world.
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18. ‘Control‘ (2007)

(Left) Sam Riley as Ian Curtis in ‘Control’. Photo: The Weinstein Company.

The story of Joy Division’s lead singer Ian Curtis (Sam Riley), from his schoolboy days in 1973 to his suicide on the eve of the band’s first American tour in 1980.
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17. ‘Miles Ahead‘ (2016)

Don Cheadle as Miles Davis in ‘Miles Ahead’. Photo: Sony Pictures Classics.

An exploration of the life and music of Miles Davis (Don Cheadle).
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16. ‘Jimi: All Is by My Side‘ (2014)

André 3000 as Jimi Hendrix in ‘Jimi: All Is by My Side’. Photo: Darko Entertainment.

A drama based on Jimi Hendrix‘s (André 3000) life as he left New York City for London, where his career took off.
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15. ‘ Michael‘ (2026)

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

Discover the story of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.
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14. ‘The Runaways‘ (2010)

(L to R) Alia Shawkat as Robin Robins, Riley Keough as Marie Currie, Scout Taylor-Compton as Lita Ford, Kristen Stewart as Joan Jett, and Dakota Fanning as Cherie Currie in ‘The Runaways’. Photo: Summit Entertainment.

Joan Jett (Kristen Stewart) and Cherie Currie (Dakota Fanning), two rebellious teenagers from Southern California, become the frontwomen for the Runaways — the now-legendary group that paved the way for future generations of female rockers. Under the Svengali-like influence of impresario Kim Fowley (Michael Shannon), the band becomes a huge success.
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13. ‘La Bamba‘ (1987)

Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens in ‘La Bamba’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

Los Angeles teenager Ritchie Valens (Lou Diamond Phillips) becomes an overnight rock ‘n’ roll success in 1958, thanks to a love ballad called “Donna” that he wrote for his girlfriend. But as his star rises, Valens has conflicts with his jealous brother, Bob (Esai Morales), and becomes haunted by a recurring nightmare of a plane crash just as he begins his first national tour alongside Buddy Holly (Marshall Crenshaw).
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12. ‘Get on Up‘ (2014)

Chadwick Boseman as James Brown in ‘Get On Up’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

A chronicle of James Brown‘s (Chadwick Boseman) rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
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11. ‘Ray‘ (2004)

Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles in ‘Ray’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles (Jamie Foxx) went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.
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10. ‘Sid and Nancy‘ (1986)

(L to R) Gary Oldman as Sid Vicious and Chloe Webb as Nancy Spungen in ‘SId and Nancy’. Photo: Palace Pictures.

January 1978. After their success in England, the punk rock band Sex Pistols venture out on their tour of the southern United States. Temperamental bassist Sid Vicious (Gary Oldman) is forced by his band mates to travel without his troubled girlfriend, Nancy Spungen (Chloe Webb), who will meet him in New York. When the band breaks up and Sid begins his solo career in a hostile city, the turbulent couple definitely falls into the depths of drug addiction.
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9. ‘Love & Mercy‘ (2015)

Paul Dano as Brian Wilson in ‘Love & Mercy’. Photo: Lionsgate.

In the late 1960s, the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson (Paul Dano and John Cusack) stops touring, produces “Pet Sounds” and begins to lose his grip on reality. By the 1980s, Wilson, under the sway of a controlling therapist, finds a savior in Melinda Ledbetter (Elizabeth Banks).
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8. ‘Rocketman‘ (2019)

Taron Egerton as Elton John in ‘Rocketman’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

The story of Elton John‘s (Taron Egerton) life, from his years as a prodigy at the Royal Academy of Music through his influential and enduring musical partnership with Bernie Taupin (Jamie Bell).
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7. ‘Elvis‘ (2022)

Austin Butler as Elvis in Warner Bros. Pictures’ drama ‘Elvis,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2022 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The life story of Elvis Presley (Austin Butler) as seen through the complicated relationship with his enigmatic manager, Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks).
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6. ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It‘ (1993)

Angela Bassett as Tina Turner in ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’. Photo: Touchstone Pictures.

Singer Tina Turner (Angela Bassett) rises to stardom while mustering the courage to break free from her abusive husband Ike (Laurence Fishburne).
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5. ‘I’m Not There‘ (2007)

Cate Blanchett as Jude Quinn in ‘I’m Not There’. Photo: The Weinstein Company.

Six actors (Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Marcus Carl Franklin, Richard Gere, Heath Ledger, and Ben Whishaw) portray six personas of music legend Bob Dylan in scenes depicting various stages of his life, chronicling his rise from unknown folksinger to international icon and revealing how Dylan constantly reinvented himself.
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4. ‘Walk the Line‘ (2005)

(L to R) Reese Witherspoon as June Carter and Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash in ‘Walk the Line’.

A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash‘s (Joaquin Phoenix) life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
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3. ‘The Doors‘ (1991)

Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in ‘The Doors’. Photo: Tri-Star Pictures.

The story of the famous and influential 1960s rock band and its lead singer and composer, Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer).
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2. ‘Straight Outta Compton‘ (2015)

O’Shea Jackson Jr. as O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson Sr. in ‘Straight Outta Compton’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

In 1987, five young men, using brutally honest rhymes and hardcore beats, put their frustration and anger about life in the most dangerous place in America into the most powerful weapon they had: their music. Starring O’Shea Jackson Jr. as O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Corey Hawkins as Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, and Jason Mitchell as Eric “Eazy-E” Wright.
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1. ‘A Complete Unknown‘ (2024)

Timothée Chalamet in ‘A Complete Unkown’. Photo by Macall Polay, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan‘s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
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April 24, 2026
‘Stans’ Exclusive Interview: Director Steven Leckart
Eminem (Center) and his fans at the New York City premiere of ‘Stans’. Photo: Jeremy Deputat.

Premiering on Paramount+ August 26th is the new documentary ‘Stans’, which was directed by Steven Leckart and chronicles both the career of rapper Eminem (Marshall Mathers) as well as his relationship with his fans.
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Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Steven Leckart about his work on ‘Stans’, the decision to focus on the fans, finding them for the film, working with Eminem, the legacy of the song ‘Stan’, and the moment when Eminem became the GOAT.

Related Article: Director Kevin MacDonald Talks Documentary ‘One to One: John & Yoko’

‘Stans’ director Steven Leckart at the SXSW London Screen Festival. Photo: Joe Maher/Getty Images.

Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about how this documentary came together and was it your idea or Eminem’s to focus on his fans?

Steven Leckart: So, the project predates me in terms of the original conceit, and Paul Rosenberg, who is Eminem’s longtime manager and is a producer on the film with us was an incredible collaborator. Paul has made it clear that they didn’t want to make anything conventional. They didn’t want to just look at his career and put him in a chair and tell his whole story. Paul has said very clearly and said this to me that the idea of doing that, I think it’s twofold. One, he’s such an unconventional artist that to do something so straightforward would be just not interesting, but also not very on brand for them. I think the other piece of it is, and Paul has said this, that apart from just that’s who he is as a person, you don’t necessarily do a whole retrospective of your career and life when you’re only in your early 50s and you’re still putting out music and doing things. The story’s not over. So why would you do that? So, I was delighted when I met them about five years ago and that they didn’t want to do anything conventional. Then because of the song ‘Stan’ and the way it’s impacted pop culture and become part of the ethos, so to speak, they thought, ‘Well, why don’t we turn the camera around on the fans?” Because if you know about the song ‘Stan’, it’s written from a fan’s perspective. So, when I came along, that was kind of all sitting there, but it was like, “Well, how do we navigate?” I think it’s important that we find a way to weave Marshall’s perspective through interviews and do some filming, but where’s the line in terms of when it’s him versus the fans? So, figuring out that balance is something we all collaborated very intensely on together, and as a filmmaker, it added to the challenge and that’s why I was so grateful and excited about this project.

Eminem in ‘Stans’. Photo: Paramount+.

MF: Can you talk about working with Eminem on this project and what was it like to sit down with him and interview him?

SL: Well, by the time we sat down to do the interview, obviously we’d met each other and he’s a producer on the movie. It was a long time coming. So, by the time we sat down, it was like I knew exactly what I wanted to achieve for the film. We had already been in the edit. When I met everybody, my promise to them was that we would be incredibly mindful of his time, and we wouldn’t waste his time. That’s not just because I think that’s a better way to manage the situation. It’s just, as a filmmaker, I like to be efficient. So, I wanted to make sure that what we did was we got a lot of depth in as little time as possible while simultaneously serving the needs for the film to have some balance between just being fans and needing his perspective. Because the film, if you think about it, is very much about the double-edged sword of the relationship between an artist and the fans. So, to not have the artist’s perspective to come in and punctuate it at times would’ve been a real missed opportunity. So, by the time we sat down, one, I’d met him before and we had, I think from the beginning, a nice rapport. He’s incredibly funny, sharp, witty, and all the things you’d probably expect. But what I found to be profound for me and very moving, was the way he could turn on a dime and become incredibly sincere, earnest and thoughtful. I think that’s what will be ultimately surprising to a lot of people in the film is just how much depth is there. But if you go to the records, it’s there. We just don’t necessarily know that if you haven’t listened to all the records or if you just know the singles. It’s in the albums. So, to me, he was exactly what you see in the movie, and I’m proud of that interview.

Katie in ‘Stans’. Photo: Paramount+.

MF: Can you talk about finding the “Stans” to interview for this project and did any of them alarm you?

SL: No, there was no one that was scary to me, and there was nobody that I was concerned about being in a room with, partially because we just vetted people quite a lot on the front end. We did casting-tapes and calls with people. So, we started with a link that went out over Eminem’s social media, which was fantastic because basically we put out this link to a questionnaire and we presented all the questions. So, we were able to kind of go through all of that and get a sense of each person already. Then we also asked for a 60-minute video. So, then we sort of culled from that. Then we worked with a great casting team, and they would go through the stuff, and they’d set up Zooms with people, and we would talk every few days about, “What are you seeing? Who are you finding? This person seems charming. Okay, but do they have all the story points that we’re looking for?” The thesis in POV of the movie is one of the lyrics from the song ‘Stan’, which is, “I’m just like you.” So, Stan in the original song writes to Marshall in his letter and says, “I’m just like you. Here’s how I’m just like you.” So, we looked through the profiles for people who felt they were just like him and could articulate why they were just like him. We found people that reflected on different parts of his life. Some people were like Venn diagrams, they had it all. Some people only had one kind of piece. Then we were looking for people that just popped off-screen, people that would be memorable, whether you like them, or you’re intrigued by them or you’re not sure. That was really by design. But everyone by and large was incredibly sweet. Then there were several people that I also talked to before we went to film with them, partially because I understood that if you’re going to make a film about people who will open-up about very deeply personal things, I wanted them to know who I was before we showed up on set. It was important to me to sort of, I think give them a safe space, and made them feel like they knew the interviewer before they showed up. It’s been great seeing and hearing from so many of them since they all now seen the film and that feels good that they expressed such vulnerability and they’re okay with it. Some people could feel a little either embarrassed or exposed, but they’re just like Eminem in that way because Eminem exposes so much of his own vulnerabilities in the music. It’s an interesting fun house mirror.

(L to R) Eminem and Zolt at the New York City premiere of ‘Stans’. Photo: Jeremy Deputat.

MF: Can you talk about the legacy of the song ‘Stan’ and how it has managed to stay in the pop culture zeitgeist for so long?

SL: I mean, I think it’s a perfect storm and confluence of everything that you hear in the song coming together. You have this Dido sample, which was a huge pop song that wound up in this movie ‘Sliding Doors’ with Gwyneth Paltrow. It’s just a love song, and it starts with a conga beat, and it’s just so soothing and gentle. Yet to make something that takes that and flips this on its head in terms of the narrative that was created by Eminem and his rapping, that’s what makes it so fascinating because it’s dark and light running together. I think that’s what we wanted to do in the movie was to have dark and light running concurrently together. I think what’s made it sustain is the fact that there was really nothing like it at the time. The song’s also been prophetic. Having a major artist write something about fame was I think a little bit interesting and new, right? Because he was newly famous when he wrote that song. I think that struck a chord, and then the video itself, which was co-directed by Dr. Dre, is cinematic. They shot on film; they had a crane. I mean, there’s stunts involved where a car is driving over a bridge. I think at the time it came out, people were really stunned by it and shocked. Then I think even people discovering it today, it’s just a masterpiece.

Eminem performing on stage in ‘Stans’. Photo: Paramount+.

MF: Finally, since you’ve done so much research on Eminem and his career, when do you think was the exact moment that he went from a respected rapper to the GOAT?

SL: I’m trying to remember if I can, when I feel like I heard about the GOAT conversation coming up, but I can’t remember exactly. I think looking back, I really think ‘8 Mile’ solidified the legacy and the legend of him because it gave a glimpse of where he came from, which is battle rap, which so many fans didn’t know about, but for fans who did know, it provided a sense of deep authenticity to him to come from that scene. I think the movie made average people who don’t know anything about hip hop aware of it. I think for people who are hardcore, I’m going to argue with you about this rapper versus this rapper, to see his old battle raps, which you can do on YouTube now, and find those raps, you realize just how preternaturally talented he was. I think the other aspect more recently that’s become clear about him as why people argue he’s the GOAT, is that he treats it like a 9 to 5 job. He goes to the studio in Michigan five days a week and works five days a week on music. I’m not the first person to say that. People know that. It’s hard to imagine any other rapper that’s going to work as hard as he works to create the art that he creates for as long as he’s planning to create it. I think that’s the other aspect that leads to people feeling he’s the GOAT. To me, he’s certainly on the Mount Rushmore. That’s not debatable.

Eminem at the New York City premiere of ‘Stans’. Photo: Jeremy Deputat.

What is the plot of ‘Stans’?

A revealing, edgy, and disarmingly personal journey into the world of super-fandom, told through the lens of one of the world’s most iconic and enduring artists, Eminem, and the fans that worship him.

Who is featured in ‘Stans’?
- Eminem as Self
- Dr. Dre as Self
- Jimmy Iovine as Self
- LL Cool J as Self
- Ed Sheeran as Self
- Carson Daly as Self
- Adam Sandler as Self
‘Stans’ premieres on Paramount+ August 26th .

List of Rock and Roll Documentaries:
- ‘Dont Look Back‘ (1967)
- ‘Let It Be‘ (1970)
- ‘Gimme Shelter‘ (1970)
- ‘The Song Remains the Same‘ (1976)
- ‘The Grateful Dead Movie‘ (1977)
- ‘The Last Waltz‘ (1978)
- ‘The Kids Are Alright‘ (1979)
- ‘Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars‘ (1983)
- ‘Prince: Sign o’ the Times‘ (1987)
- ‘Madonna: Truth or Dare‘ (1991)
- ‘Kurt & Courtney‘ (1998)
- ‘Biggie & Tupac‘ (2002)
- ‘No Direction Home: Bob Dylan‘ (2005)
- ‘Whitney: Can I Be Me‘ (2017)
- ‘This Is It‘ (2009)
- ‘Pearl Jam Twenty‘ (2011)
- ‘Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese‘ (2019)
- ‘Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love‘ (2019)
- ‘The Stones and Brian Jones‘ (2023)
- ‘One to One: John & Yoko‘ (2025)
Buy Eminem Movies On Amazon
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August 26, 2025
Rock Legend Ozzy Osbourne Dead at the Age of 76
Ozzy Osbourne in ‘Ozzy Osbourne: Live at Budokan’. Photo: Epic.

Preview:
- Legendary heavy metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne has died aged 76.
- He had recently wrapped up a farewell concert tour.
- In addition to his music, he gained reality TV fame with his family.
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and a solo rock pioneer, has died at the age of 76.

Known around the world as the “Prince of Darkness,” Osbourne helped invent and define heavy metal, bringing a raw, unfiltered energy to music that influenced generations of artists across genres. His family confirmed his passing on Tuesday, saying the rocker died peacefully at his Los Angeles home, surrounded by loved ones, just two weeks after wrapping up a concert tour.
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His family made the following statement:

“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time.”

Related Article: ‘The Cosby Show’ Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner Has Died at the Age of 54

Ozzy Osbourne: Early life

Ozzy Osbourne in ‘Ozzy Osbourne: The Ultimate Ozzy ‘. Photo: Jet.

Born John Michael Osbourne on December 3, 1948, in Birmingham, England, Ozzy rose from working-class roots to become one of rock’s most recognizable and influential figures. His early life was marked by poverty and struggle, but music gave him a way out –– and a voice that would echo across decades.

Osbourne found international fame in the early 1970s as the frontman for Black Sabbath, a band widely credited with pioneering the heavy metal genre. Their dark, sludgy riffs and haunting lyrics on songs like “Paranoid,” “War Pigs,” and “Iron Man” redefined rock music and set the stage for countless bands to come.

Ozzy Osbourne: Solo career

Ozzy Osbourne in ‘Black Sabbath: The Last Supper ‘. Photo: Sony.

After parting ways with Black Sabbath in 1979, Osbourne launched a solo career that was nothing short of meteoric. His debut album Blizzard of Ozz featured the now-iconic “Crazy Train” and “Mr. Crowley,” showcasing his signature howl and theatrical flair.

The 1980s and ’90s saw Osbourne continue to dominate rock radio and arenas, despite personal battles with addiction and health. Known for his outrageous stage antics –– most infamously biting the head off a bat during a 1982 performance –– he remained a beloved figure, blending chaos with charisma in a way only he could.

Ozzy Osbourne: Reality TV star

(L to R) Kelly Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Ozzy Osbourne and Jack Osbourne in ‘The Osbournes’. Photo: MTV.

Later in life, Osbourne became a pop culture icon once again through ‘The Osbournes’, the MTV reality show that offered a glimpse into his chaotic but endearing family life. The show revealed the tender, humorous man behind the wild persona and introduced him to a new generation of fans.

Despite ongoing health challenges –– including a Parkinson’s diagnosis and multiple surgeries –– Osbourne continued to make music and perform into his seventies, most recently releasing “Patient Number 9” in 2022 to critical acclaim.

Ozzy Osbourne: Legacy

Ozzy Osbourne in ‘Black Sabbath: The Last Supper ‘. Photo: Sony.

Beyond the awards, albums, and anthems, Ozzy Osbourne leaves behind a legacy of defiance, innovation, and raw emotional power. He was a survivor –– of addiction, illness, fame –– and an artist whose work gave voice to pain, rebellion, and resilience.

His work graced the soundtrack countless movies, and he made a number of memorable cameos, including in the likes of ‘Little Nicky’ and the TV series ‘CSI’.

He is survived by his wife Sharon, their children, and grandchildren.

(L to R) Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne and Jack Osbourne in ‘The Osbournes’. Photo: MTV.

Movies and TV Shows featuring Ozzy Osbourne:
- ‘South Park’ (1998)
- ‘Little Nicky’ (2000)
- ‘Moulin Rouge!’ (2001)
- ‘The Osbournes’ (2005)
- ‘Austin Powers in Goldmember’ (2002)
- ‘Trolls World Tour’ (2020)
Buy Ozzy Osbourne Movies and TV on Amazon
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July 22, 2025
Beach Boys Co-Founder Brian Wilson Dies Aged 82
Brian Wilson in ‘The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds’. Photo: Apple TV+.

Preview:
- Musical icon Brian Wilson has died aged 82.
- He co-founded the Beach Boys.
- Wilson’s music evolved beyond its pop roots.
Brian Wilson, the musical genius behind The Beach Boys and a pioneering force in American pop music, has died at the age of 82.
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Wilson’s family announced his death via an Instagram statement:

“We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away,” they wrote. “We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world.”

Related Article: Funk-Rock Icon Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone has Died Aged 82

Brian Wilson: Early Life

The Beach Boys in 2024’s ‘The Beach Boys’ documentary. Photo: Disney+.

Born on June 20, 1942, in Hawthorne, California, Brian Douglas Wilson emerged as one of the most innovative and influential figures in 20th-century music.

Though largely deaf in his right ear from an early age, he was encouraged to sing and play by his father Murry, an amateur songwriter who controlled his sons with extreme emotional and sometimes physical abuse.

Guided by the example of the ’50s pop vocal group the Four Freshman and influenced by such doo-wop acts as Dion and the Belmonts, Wilson — who was fluent on the piano from an early age — schooled his younger brothers in close-harmony singing.

During their years at Hawthorne High, he founded the band Carl & the Passions (so named to induce his brother’s participation) with his siblings and first cousin Mike Love.

Al Jardine, a Wilson classmate at El Camino College, joined them in an embryonic group, provisionally named the Pendletons after the then-popular shirt.

Brian Wilson: Beach Boys and beyond

Brian Wilson and The Beach Boys in ‘The Beach Boys: Making Pet Sounds’. Photo: Apple TV+.

Wilson co-founded The Beach Boys in 1961 alongside his brothers Carl and Dennis, cousin Love, and high school friend Al Jardine. With hits like “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “California Girls,” and “I Get Around,” the band captured the sun-soaked dreams of a generation. But it was Wilson’s deepening musical ambition that elevated their work into the realm of artistry.

In 1966, he masterminded Pet Sounds, a lush and introspective album widely hailed as one of the greatest of all time.

The album’s intricate arrangements and emotional depth influenced countless artists, including The Beatles. Later that year, Wilson unveiled “Good Vibrations,” a song that pushed the boundaries of what pop music could be, combining elaborate production with raw emotion.

Despite his professional triumphs, Wilson struggled with mental illness for much of his life. In the late 1960s, he began to withdraw from public life as he battled depression, anxiety, and the effects of drug abuse. The long-shelved “Smile” project became symbolic of both his artistic vision and his inner turmoil.

Wilson’s later years were marked by a remarkable resurgence. He returned to performing in the 1990s, released critically acclaimed solo albums, and in 2004, finally completed and released “Brian Wilson Presents Smile” to widespread acclaim. His candidness about his struggles endeared him to generations of fans who saw in him not only a musical genius, but a deeply human artist.

Over his lifetime, Wilson received numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and a Kennedy Center Honor in 2007. His influence can be heard in artists as varied as Paul McCartney, Radiohead, and Frank Ocean.

Wilson’s struggles were brought to cinematic life in 2014’s ‘Love & Mercy,’ which starred Paul Dano and John Cusack as different versions of the musician.

Brian Wilson: recent illness and family

(Left) Brian Wilson in ‘Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile’. Photo: Showtime.

In 2024, it was revealed that Wilson was suffering from dementia following the death of his second wife, Melinda Ledbetter. Following this, he was placed in a conservatorship, with his long-time publicist Jean Sievers, and his manager, LeeAnn Hard, as his conservators.

Wilson is survived by daughters Carnie and Wendy from his first marriage to Marilyn Rovell (who themselves achieved huge chart success in the ’90s as members of the pop group Wilson Phillips) and by millions of fans around the world who found light, longing, and life in his music.

As he once wrote, “God only knows what I’d be without you.” For music lovers everywhere, the world is undeniably richer for having had Brian Wilson in it.

Brian Wilson in 2021’s ‘Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road ‘. Photo: Peacock.

List of Movies and TV Shows Featuring Brian Wilson:
- ‘Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of Smile‘ (2004)
- ‘Love & Mercy‘ (2015)
- ‘Brian Wilson and Friends – A Soundstage Special Event‘ (2015)
- ‘The Beach Boys Making Pet Sounds‘ (2017)
- ‘Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road‘ (2021)
- ‘The Beach Boys‘ (2024)
Buy Brian Wilson Music on Amazon
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June 11, 2025
English Singer and Actor Marianne Faithfull Dies, Aged 78
Marianne Faithfull in the 2017 documentary ‘Faithfull’. Photo: BBC.

Preview:
- Marianne Faithfull has died aged 78.
- She was known for work in both music and movies.
- Her history also included high-profile relationships with the likes of Mick Jagger
Marianne Faithfull, a stalwart of the 1960’s social scene in London who built a career as a singer, songwriter and actor, has died. She was 78.

Her long and distinguished career saw her emerge and celebrated as one of the most original female singer-songwriters the UK produced; known for her unsentimental yet somehow affectionate songs, she brought personal power to lyrics, transforming them into something compelling and utterly personal.

Faithfull’s family released a statement on her passing:

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of the singer, songwriter and actress Marianne Faithful. Marianne passed away peacefully in London today, in the company of her loving family. She will be dearly missed.”

Related Article: David Lynch, Director of ‘Blue Velvet,’ ‘Twin Peaks’ and Much More has Died Aged 78

Marianne Faithfull: Early Life and Career

Born in Hampstead in December 1946, her father, Major Robert Glynn Faithfull, was a British intelligence officer and professor of Italian Literature at Bedford College of London University.

Her mother Eva had been a ballerina for the Max Reinhardt Company during her early years and danced in productions of works by the German theatrical duo Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill.

Faithfull spent some of her early life at the commune at Braziers Park, Oxfordshire, formed by John Norman Glaister, where her father, who was instrumental in its foundation, lived and participated.

Her parents divorced when she was age six, after which she moved with her mother to Reading, Berkshire.

Marianne Faithfull: Music

Faithfull began her singing career in 1964, landing her first gigs as a folk music performer in coffeehouses.

She soon began taking part in London’s exploding social scene, the so-called “Swingin’ Sixties.” In early 1964 she attended a Rolling Stones launch party with artist John Dunbar and met Andrew Loog Oldham, who “discovered” her.

‘As Tears Go By’ her first single, was written and composed by Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Oldham, and became a chart success –– The Rolling Stones recorded their version one year later, which also became a hit. She then released a series of successful singles, including ‘This Little Bird,’ ‘Summer Nights,’ and ‘Come and Stay with Me.’

During this period, her personal life became tabloid fodder. She began a much-publicized relationship with Mick Jagger and left Dunbar (who she’d married in 1965) to live with him. She was heard on The Beatles’ song ‘Yellow Submarine,’ and was found wearing only a fur rug by police executing a drug search at Redlands, Keith Richards’ house in West Wittering, Sussex.

Talking in later years about her drug habits, she admitted it hurt her career.

“It destroyed me. To be a male drug addict and to act like that is always enhancing and glamorizing. A woman in that situation becomes a slut and a bad mother.”

Though she would still struggle with substances, Faithfull went on to have a memorable music career that spanned different genres.

Faithfull emerged tentatively in the mid-Seventies with a country album called ‘Dreamin’ My Dreams.’ Though the album attracted little attention in the UK, it was a huge hit in Ireland, where the title track spent seven weeks at number one and led to her going back on the road for the first time in a decade, but it was her furious re-surfacing on ‘Broken English’ in 1979 that definitively brought her back.

The virginal pop persona created around her in the Sixties was defiantly smashed: Instead with songs like ‘The Ballad of Lucy Jordan,’ ‘Guilt’ and ‘Why D’ya Do It?’ Faithfull re-invented herself and her style Further new wave explorations followed with ‘Dangerous Acquaintances’ and ‘A Child’s Adventure.’

In 1987, she released the critically lauded collection of classic pop, blues and art songs on the ‘Strange Weather.’ A live retrospective followed on ‘Blazing Away’, which displayed why Faithfull became one of the most sought after UK concert artists of the last 35 years.

New directions were taken on ‘A Secret Life’ co-written with the Italian composer Angelo Badalementi, and in her exploration of the music of Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht.

Marianne Faithfull: Movies

Marianne Faithful in ‘Faces in the Crowd’. Photo: Millennium Entertainment.

Faithfull carved out a side career as an actor.

She appeared at London’s Royal Court in an adaptation of Chekhov’s ‘Three Sisters,’ alongside Glenda Jackson.

She became the first person ever to utter the F-word in a mainstream film, ‘I’ll Never Forget What’sisname,’ in 1967.

A year later, she starred opposite Alain Delon, as a doomed, leather-clad beauty in ‘The Girl on a Motorcycle.’ Her character’s psychedelic and erotic fantasies saw the film win the first ever X-rating in the United States.

Other movie appearances included ‘Shopping,’ ‘Crimetime,’ ‘Intimacy,’ ‘Marie Antoinette,’ ‘Faces in the Crowd,’ and, most recently, her recognizable voice is included as one of the Bene Gesserit Ancestors in ‘Dune: Part One.’
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And, of course, her music has appeared on a host of other soundtracks.

In recent years, she teamed up with songwriters like PJ Harvey and Nick Cave, who each cited her as an inspiration.

While her personal life may have overshadowed her music and movies at time, Faithfull will still be remembered as something of a pop cultural icon.

Moviefone.com. “Find it. Watch it.”

List of Mariane Faithfull Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘I’ll Never Forget What’s’isname‘ (1968)
- ‘The Girl on a Motorcycle‘ (1968)
- ‘Hamlet‘ (1969)
- ‘Ghost Story‘ (1974)
- ‘Assault on Agathon‘ (1975)
- ‘Absolutely Fabulous‘ (1992 – 2012)
- ‘Moondance‘ (1995)
- ‘When Pigs Fly‘ (1996)
- ‘Shopping‘ (1996)
- ‘Crimetime‘ (1996)
- ‘Marianne Faithfull Dreaming My Dreams‘ (2000)
- ‘Intimacy‘ (2001)
- ‘Marie Antoinette‘ (2006)
- ‘Paris Je T’aime‘ (2007)
- ‘Irina Palm‘ (2007)
- ‘Who Do You Think You Are?‘ (2010 – 2022)
- ‘Faces in the Crowd‘ (2011)
- ‘Dune‘ (2021)
- ‘The Stones and Brian Jones‘ (2023)
- ‘Catching Fire: The Story of Anita Pallenberg‘ (2024)
Buy Marianne Faithfull Movies On Amazon
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January 30, 2025
‘The Neon Highway’ Interview: Beau Bridges and Rob Mayes
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Opening in theaters on March 15th is the new film ‘The Neon Highway,’ which was directed William Wages (‘Yellowstone’) and stars Beau Bridges (‘The Fabulous Baker Boys,’ ‘The Descendants’) and Rob Mayes (‘John Dies at the End’).

Related Article: Musician Trace Adkins Discusses Making His New Shark Movie ‘Maneater’

(L to R) Lee Brice, Rob Mayes and Beau Bridges in ‘The Neon Highway.’ Photo: Mountain Movies.

Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Beau Bridges and Rob Mayes about their work on ‘The Neon Highway,’ Bridges first reaction to the screenplay, which legendary musician his role was originally written for, inspiration he took from other real-life musicians, the advice he got from his brother Jeff Bridges on playing the guitar, working with Mayes and their characters’ relationship, while Mayes discussed his approach to playing his character, performing the movie’s title song, and what he learned from working with Bridges.

You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

(L to R) Rob Mayes and Beau Bridges talk ‘The Neon Highway.’

Moviefone: To begin with, Beau, what was your first reaction to the screenplay, and did you recognize immediately that this would be a great role for you?

Beau Bridges: Well, I recognized it was a beautifully written script. That’s what I really saw initially, and that’s the first thing I looked for, really. William Wages and Phil Rob Bellury wrote a wonderful script, and I liked the values that it addressed. With music at its heart, I figured it couldn’t miss, because music is really the international language to hear those dulcet tunes. No, I thought, this could be a good story to tell.

MF: Rob, can you talk about your approach to playing Wayne?

Rob Mayes: Well, first, I mean it was the same thing that brought me to this project was the script and the character. I like to play roles that are either super close to home or far from, and this hit close to home because it’s what I do on a day-to-day basis in Nashville. I’m an actor, but I’m also a songwriter and a country artist. So that’s what drew me to it. It comes down to the song. ‘The Neon Highway’ is the name of the song. The reason this whole thing came together for me was because I took a publishing meeting about three and a half years ago to talk about songwriting, and the first thing that they said to me was, “There’s a movie and maybe you could be in it. We don’t know anything about it.” But lo and behold, here we are. So, it really comes down to the song kind of through and through, especially with this project.

Beau Bridges in ‘The Neon Highway.’ Photo: Mountain Movies.

MF: Rob, can you talk about why Wayne decides to go on this journey with Claude and how their relationship grows throughout the course of the film?

RM: I mean, my character sets out to be a songwriter. Tragedy strikes, and his dreams are railed. Then through happenstance, he ends up meeting Beau’s character setting up some cable in his house, and realizes that this is a country music legend, and he shoots his shot. He tries to see if maybe he would like his song, and he does, makes little tweaks, some edits, and we decided to hit the road and take it to Nashville and make it big. There’s some trials and tribulations along the way to make it interesting and to make it truthful. But through all those hardships, it kind of unites our characters in a heartfelt way, I think.

MF: Beau, can you talk about Claude’s true motivations and why he decides to help Wayne?

BB: I think this movie is about survival, because our two characters are a couple of lost souls in different ways, and they’ve lost their purpose in life, a reason to get up and be passionate about something for the day. They’re really at their wit’s end, and they find in each other, some common ground and they speak to each other. There are lessons to be learned by both because of their friendship. I think that in this young man that comes into his house to fix his phone and then I give him a guitar for him to play, because I know he likes music. I learned that from him right away. I like his song and I recognize in him that there’s talent there. It excites me like I haven’t been excited in many years, and I think that’s what happens. That’s what turns him on. Then through this young man, he also sees, well, maybe I can get a resurgence to my music career. That may not be the way it turns out, but he still enjoys his relationship with this guy. We’re from two different generations. I think in many ways, my character Claude sees Rob’s character as a son. It takes a while for that to get there, but I think in the end, that’s really what the relationship is.

Beau Bridges in ‘The Neon Highway.’ Photo: Mountain Movies.

MF: Beau, did you draw inspiration from any real-life musicians for this character?

BB: No, not really. I mean, I’ve met some music people along the way that I think about whenever I’m touching a guitar and getting into music. Jackson Brown is a friend. I think about him. He’s a storyteller. The guy that was supposed to play my role, the script was written some 30 years ago, and Johnny Cash was supposed to play my role. I’ve always loved his music, so I was listening to that.

MF: Rob, can you talk about the title song and performing it in the movie?

RM: It’s a great song and it’s written by one of the greatest, Dallas Davidson, single-handedly. So, a hundred percent by Dallas. He was able to write a song that kind of distills the entire story of the film down to three minutes. Beau gets to perform it too, and he does a heck of a job with it.

Beau Bridges in ‘The Neon Highway.’ Photo: Mountain Movies.

MF: Beau, obviously you have a musical background having performed in ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys,’ but what was it like for you to have an opportunity to sing and play guitar in this movie?

BB: Yeah, it was a little scary for me in the beginning. I have had some experience. I was on Broadway in ‘How to Succeed Business Without Really Trying.’ I did that for six months and really prepared hard for that. In this one, I had a lot of support from these guys, the real guys helping me, Rob and Lee Brice, who’s in it and is a fantastic singer. Then our music director, Chuck Mead worked with me a lot before I even got on the set, just helping me try to get myself together. Also, my brother Jeff (Bridges) is a performer and singer and has a band. So, he talked to me a lot about it. He said, “Make sure that you keep the straight rhythm all the time. Don’t try to be picking around like you do.” He said, “You got to just keep the straight rhythm.” So, I took it from whoever I could get it from.

MF: Rob, what was it like for you to work on this film with Mr. Bridges?

RM: Incredible. An absolute dream. I mean, this was a movie that I kind of took things into my own hands and reached out to the casting director and expressed my interest. Let’s just say that the sticky wall method for me auditioning and just seeing what comes my way doesn’t really work. But hitting them up worked in this case. They let me know that they wanted me to be a part of it. I asked, “Well, is anyone else attached?” They said, “Yeah, Beau Bridges,” which I mean there’s nobody better. I learned so much from him getting to work with him every single day. His humility and just passion for it. It would be so easy to phone things in and he does not.

‘The Neon Highway’ opens in theaters on March 15th. Photo: Mountain Movies.

MF: Finally, Beau, what was your experience like working with Rob?

BB: Well, coming into it, I mean, he really carries the movie on his shoulders, a lot of it. So, I was wondering what he would bring to the table because it was such an important element of our project. You can tell right away if someone has a good sense of being an actor. It’s a strange world to inhabit. Some people don’t have it and some people do, and he does. He has a real natural way about it communicating on screen and on the set. He’s hardworking too. Some young people that come into this business think they’re God’s gift and they’re late, they don’t know their lines, and they’re not professional. He was right there every step of the way. I think this movie should open a lot of stuff for him.
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What is the Plot of ‘The Neon Highway’?

Wayne Collins (Rob Mayes) pursues a career as a country music singer-songwriter in Nashville, but his plans are derailed after he is involved in a car accident. Twenty years later, he is economically struggling with a 9 to 5 job to support his family until he meets Claude Allen (Beau Bridges), a famous country musician near the end of his career. The two form a partnership to pair Collins’s songwriting and Allen’s fame but face a challenge when they find the changing country music industry is not interested in recording their song.

Who is in the Cast of ‘The Neon Highway’?
- Rob Mayes as Wayne Collins
- Beau Bridges as Claude Allen
- Sam Hennings as Ray
- T.J. Power as Lloyd Collins
- Lee Brice as Lamont Johnson
- Pam Tillis as Herself
- Jennifer Bowles as Ginny Collins
- Sandra Lee-Oian Thomas as Pepper Dewberry
- Wilbur T. Fitzgerald as Buck Bates
- Brett Gentile as Elton
‘The Neon Highway’ opens in theaters on March 15th. Photo: Mountain Movies.

Other Movies Similar to ‘The Neon Highway’:
- ‘Urban Cowboy‘ (1980)
- ‘Coal Miners Daughter‘ (1980)
- ‘Tender Mercies‘ (1983)
- ‘The Fabulous Baker Boys‘ (1989)
- ‘Pure Country‘ (1992)
- ‘The Thing Called Love‘ (1993)
- ‘Walk the Line‘ (2005)
- ‘Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story‘ (2007)
- ‘Crazy Heart‘ (2009)
- ‘Country Strong‘ (2010)
- ‘The Descendants‘ (2011)
- ‘I Saw the Light‘ (2015)
Buy Beau Bridges Movies On Amazon
March 12, 2024
New Amy Winehouse and Bob Marley Biopic Photos
(Left) Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in ‘Back to Black.’ Photo: Studiocanal & Monumental Pictures. (Right) Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Preview:
- Images from ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ have arrived online.
- The musical biopics chronicle two musical icons.
- Both films will be out in 2024.
There has been a definite rise in the number of musical biopics in the last few years, spurred, most likely, by the Oscar-winning success of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. We’ve seen films about singing stars such as Elton John, Whitney Houston and “Weird Al” Yankovic brought to life on screen (that last one, admittedly more of a spoof version of the genre).

You can add two more to the list via upcoming movies –– Britain’s Amy Winehouse and Reggae icon Bob Marley. Winehouse’s story will be told in ‘Back to Black’ while Marley gets the cinematic treatment in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’.
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What’s the story of ‘Back to Black’?

Marisa Abela as Amy Winehouse in ‘Back to Black.’ Photo: Studiocanal & Monumental Pictures.

Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (who has form with musical folk via John Lennon film ‘Nowhere Boy’, the movie stars Marisa Abela as Winehouse, who was widely considered one of the greatest artists in recent history, selling more than 30 million records worldwide, and today generating more than 80 million streams per month.

Her acclaimed 2006 album “Back to Black”, propelled her to global stardom, going on to win a (at the time) record breaking 5 Grammy Awards, including Record Of The Year and Song of The Year for hit single “Rehab”. She got her start on the North London jazz circuit and rose to become a musical superstar. She tragically died of alcohol poisoning at the age of 27.

The movie will focus on Amy’s extraordinary genius, creativity and honesty that infused everything she did. A journey that took her from the craziness and color of 90’s Camden High Street to global adoration.

Who else is in ‘Back to Black’?

The cast also includes Jack O’Connell, Eddie Marsan and Lesley Manville.

Related Article: ‘Back to Black’: Amy Winehouse Biopic Casts Marisa Abela

Sam Taylor-Johnson talks ‘Back to Black’

Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black.’

Here’s what the director said when the movie was first announced:

“My connection to Amy began when I left college and was hanging out in the creatively diverse London borough of Camden. I got a job at the legendary KOKO club, and I can still breathe every market stall, vintage shop, and street,” she says in a statement. “A few years later Amy wrote her searingly honest songs whilst living in Camden. Like with me, it became part of her DNA. I first saw her perform at a talent show at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in Soho and it was immediately obvious she wasn’t just ‘talent’… She was genius. As a filmmaker you can’t really ask for more. I feel excited and humbled to have this opportunity to realise Amy’s beautifully unique and tragic story to cinema accompanied by the most important part of her legacy – her music. I am fully aware of the responsibility, with my writing collaborator––Matt Greenhalgh––I will create a movie that we will all love and cherish forever. Just like we do Amy.”

When will ‘Back to Black’ be in theaters?

‘Back to Black’ has yet to confirm a domestic release date, but it starts rolling out in the UK and other international locations on April 12th, 2024.
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What’s the story of ‘Bob Marley: One Love’?

Kinglsey Ben-Adir as “Bob Marley” in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ from Paramount Pictures.

Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, who most recently made ‘King Richard’, ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity.

We’ll discover Bob’s powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.

Who appears in ‘Bob Marley: One Love’?

‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is scheduled to be released in theaters on January, 12th 2024.

The movie stars Kingsley Ben-Adir as Marley, with Lashana Lynch as his wife, Rita. The cast also includes James Norton, Tosin Cole, Umi Myers, Anthony Welsh, Nia Ashi, Aston Barrett Jr., Anna-Sharé Blake, Naomi Cowan and Michael Gandolfini.

Reinaldo Marcus Green on why he chose to make ‘Bob Marley: One Love’

Musician Bob Marley from the 2012 documentary ‘Marley.’

The director told Empire that he knows the film is a big responsibility:

“I’ve always loved Bob, his music was playing in my household growing up was thinking, how serendipitous. Somehow it felt like it was written for me; Bob Marley lived at 42 Oakley Street in London and 42 is my favourite number. There were all these weird signs calling me to this film. And I think what Bob sang for, his message of unity and peace and love are the things I believe in as a human being. I’m sure they’ve been trying to make a Marley move for years and it’s never happened and somehow it’s falling on my doorstep. I just thought, ‘yeah it’s a gigantic risk because Bob is so beloved and an icon, a fascinating character and he has a cult following so you don’t mess with Bob, you can’t get him wrong.’”

A trailer for ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ is now online.
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When will ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ land in theaters?

The Marley movie will be on screens on February 14th.

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

Other Movies Similar to ‘Back to Black’ and ‘Bob Marley: One Love’:
- ‘Sid and Nancy‘ (1986)
- ‘The Doors‘ (1991)
- ‘Ray‘ (2004)
- ‘Walk the Line‘ (2005)
- ‘I’m Not There‘ (2007)
- ‘Control‘ (2007)
- ‘Nowhere Boy‘ (2010)
- ‘The Runaways‘ (2010)
- ‘Get on Up‘ (2014)
- ‘Love & Mercy‘ (2015)
- ‘Bohemian Rhapsody‘ (2018)
- ‘Rocketman‘ (2019)
- ‘The Dirt‘ (2019)
- ‘Elvis‘ (2022)
- ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody‘ (2022)
- ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story‘ (2022)
Buy Amy Winehouse Music on Amazon

Buy Bob Marley Music on Amazon
December 5, 2023
Singer-Songwriter Jimmy Buffet Dies Aged 76
(Right) Jimmy Buffet performing at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival 2019 as seen in director Frank Marshall’s documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

Jimmy Buffett, a much-loved musician who made memorable appearances in movies (as well as providing iconic music to their soundtracks) has died at the age of 76.

“Parrot Heads”, as his fans are known (coined after he saw big groups of them at his concerts dressed in tropical clothing and wearing toy parrots on their heads) are in mourning.

Early life

Born on December 25, 1946, in Pascagoula, Mississippi, James William Buffett became best known for his unique musical blend of country, rock, and Caribbean influences. His songs were less a genre; more a way of life — a reminder to savor every moment, appreciate the simple pleasures, and embrace the spirit of adventure.

Musical career

(L to R) Director Frank Marshall, Jimmy Buffet, Pitbull and director Ryan Suffern from the documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story.’ Courtesy of The Kennedy/Marshall Company. Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.

His musical journey began in the late 1960s, and over the decades, he produced wealth of hits that became anthems of escapism, including classics like ‘Margaritaville,’ ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise,’ and ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes.’

It is perhaps ‘Margaritaville,’ released on Feb. 14th, 1977, for which he will be best remembered. The song — from the album also titled ‘Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes’ — spent 22 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and peaked at No. 8. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2016 for its cultural and historic significance.

“There was no such place as Margaritaville,” Buffett told the Arizona Republic in 2021. “It was a made-up place in my mind, basically made up about my experiences in Key West and having to leave Key West and go on the road to work and then come back and spend time by the beach.”
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Outside of his songs

Beyond his music, Buffett was a renaissance man. He was an accomplished author, with bestsellers such as ‘Tales from Margaritaville’ and ‘A Pirate Looks at Fifty,’ based on his life experiences.

His love for sailing led to the creation of the ‘Margaritaville’ brand, which expanded into restaurants, hotels, and a diverse range of lifestyle products.

Buffet’s philanthropic endeavors were almost as notable as his musical efforts –– he became passionate about environmental issues, including the preservation of coastlines. He also helped small businesses threatened by closure, including a shrimp fishing company in North Carolina he chose as the primary supplier for his restaurants.
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Buffett in movies

‘Margaritaville’ and other songs from his back catalogue have graced the soundtracks of countless movies. And Buffett himself is no stranger to the screen, cropping up in cameos as himself or as characters including ‘Hook’, ‘Cobb’, ‘Congo’, ‘Repo Man’, ‘Hoot’, and the ‘Billionaire Boys Club’.
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He’s memorably spotted in ‘Jurassic World’, rescuing margaritas (of course) from a Margaritaville restaurant based in theme park when Pteranodons attack the patrons.

‘World’ director Colin Trevorrow paid fitting tribute to the moment on twitter:

https://twitter.com/colintrevorrow/status/1697883707401453842

He’s a big part of Frank Marshall and Ryan Suffern’s 2022 documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story’ (and was an executive producer), about which you can read more below:

Related Article: Director Frank Marshall Talks Documentary ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story’

Buffett’s family released an official statement on his passing:

“Jimmy passed away peacefully on the night of September 1st surrounded by his family, friends, music and dogs. He lived his life like a song till the very last breath and will be missed beyond measure by so many.”

Jimmy Buffet. Photo courtesy of Grammy.com.

Movies Featuring Jimmy Buffet:
- ‘Rancho Deluxe‘ (1975)
- ‘FM‘ (1978)
- ‘Repo Man‘ (1984)
- ‘Hook‘ (1991)
- ‘Cobb‘ (1994)
- ‘Congo‘ (1995)
- ‘Hoot‘ (2006)
- ‘Jimmy Buffett: Live at Wrigley Field Double Header‘ (2006)
- ‘Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson‘ (2008)
- ‘Jurassic World‘ (2015)
- ‘Billionaire Boys Club‘ (2018)
- ‘The Beach Bum‘ (2019)
- ‘Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President‘ (2020)
- ‘Jazz Fest: A New Orleans Story‘ (2022)
Buy Jimmy Buffet Music on Amazon
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September 2, 2023
Trailer for Whitney Houston Biopic ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’

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Biopics are still big business in Hollywood, and it’s not tough to see why – there’s the built-in fanbase of audiences eager to see an icon from another industry brought to screens, and when it comes to music industry movies – assuming you can secure the rights to the singer’s library – there are superb, memorable tunes to sprinkle throughout the movie.

The latest example is headed our way this holiday season, and it’ll see Naomi Ackie playing music icon Whitney Houston. Ackie might be best known for movies such as ‘Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker’, ‘Yardie’ and ‘Lady Macbeth’.

Directed by ‘Eve’s Bayou’ and ‘Talk To Me’s Kasi Lemmons, ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ is described as a no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind “The Voice.” From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time.

And the script comes from Anthony McCarten, who has become a past master at writing biopics, having helped bring ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ (Freddie Mercury), ‘The Theory of Everything’ (Stephen Hawking), and ‘Darkest Hour’ (Winston Churchill) to screens. McCarten has been nominated for several Oscars for his work, so it’s not surprising that he got this gig.

Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody.’

With McCarten and Lemmons guiding it, the film will hopefully prove to be more than just a greatest hits rundown of Houston’s life and career, though given the subject matter, those hits certainly are great. We’re promised her journey from the church choir to her massive breakthrough into the music industry and her knock-out (and record-setting) performances and songs, including her memorable 1991 Super Bowl rendition of the national anthem.

Along the way, she naturally faces challenges, including a pushy mother with her own history in performance and claims that her music style wasn’t “black enough”. “Look, I don’t know how to sing Black and I don’t know how to sing white either,” Ackie’s Houston says. “I know how to sing.”

Playing such an icon is no easy task, and even Ackie admits that she was intimidated. “She’s been elevated in my life for so long that it felt like an impossible thing to achieve at times,” Ackie told People. “But so many people told me the same thing: If I wasn’t scared and nervous, they’d think something was wrong with me… The biggest challenge was letting my fear of the magnitude of this task take a back seat. Nothing good comes from sitting in fear for too long.”

If there’s any concern, it’s the presence of Houston’s longtime collaborator and producer, Clive Davis (played here by Stanley Tucci) among those backing the movie, which makes us ponder how warts-and-all it might be. That said, ‘Rocketman’ featured full input from Elton John and he didn’t order the filmmakers to sidestep his faults.

The cast for this one also includes Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams and Clarke Peters, and ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ will be in theaters on December 21st.

Naomi Ackie as Whitney Houston in ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody.’
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September 15, 2022
‘Weird’: Full Trailer for the Al Yankovic Story

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We’re getting ever closer to the release of ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story’, which has Daniel Radcliffe bringing the curly-locked comedy musician to screens for a biopic that only earns that title in the loosest of terms (on purpose).

Now here comes the full trailer, which pitches the movie along the lines of ‘Walk Hard’, injecting a lot of a parody feel into Al’s life.

There’s certainly a lot of material to draw from in the musician’s career to date: “Weird Al” Yankovic has enjoyed quite the career as the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time.

A five-time Grammy winner, his 2014 release ‘Mandatory Fun’ was the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200. He is one of only three artists to have had their own top 40 hits in each of the last four decades (the other two being, coincidentally, Michael Jackson and Madonna).

On August 27, 2018, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce awarded Weird Al with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He has also popped up in a host of movies, shorts, and TV series, either as himself or other characters, and might be best known for indie comedy movie ‘UHF’, which was released in 1989.

The Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’

The new movie, which was spurred by Yankovic’s decision to chronicle his “depraved and scandalous” life (we’re still trying to figure out if he’s joking on that front) will chart his days spoofing the likes of the Madonna and Michael Jackson. He wrote the script alongside director Eric Appel, who has worked on projects such as ‘Silicon Valley’ and various Funny Or Die shorts (the comedy company is producing the movie alongside Tango).

Radcliffe certainly looked the part in the initial imagery, and the teaser showed him doing a fair approximation of Yankovic’s trademark voice and singing style. Plus, he’s clearly been learning his way around an accordion. And it certainly does its job, making you want to see more from the movie, which also features Rainn Wilson, Julianne Nicholson, Quinta Brunson and Toby Huss among its cast.

One of the highlights, though, would seem to be Evan Rachel Wood as Madonna, who ends up leading our hero astray in a torrid affair that sets him on a path to drugs and drink. Again, a lot of this is aiming to spoof the usual talent biopic.

But it also looks like a lot of fun, with a fully committed performance by its star and more accordion moments than anyone truly asked for. But it’s Weird Al, so that comes with the territory.

‘Weird’ will premiere as part of the Midnight Madness strand at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival before becoming available on the Roku Channel from November 4th.

Daniel Radcliffe is “Weird” Al Yankovic in the Roku Channel’s ‘Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.’
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August 29, 2022