The Public Broadcasting System has packaged the highlights of the Teenage Music International (TAMI) show that sat on a shelf for 35 years. Dick Clark bought the rights for it about ten years ago, and he had to go through all the old contracts to get the rights, and bring the black and white film up to modern digital standards. Now PBS viewers watching the fund raising efforts have a chance to get a DVD with their donation.
The artists featured included top-notch performances by Chuck Berry, The Rolling Stones, The Supremes, The Beach Boys, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Smoky Robinson, Jan & Dean, Lesley Gore, and others.
The show starts with film of the artists arriving in Los Angeles and hamming up for the camera. Jan Berry joined the fundraising announcers asking viewers to go to the phones and donate, while talking about the process of putting it on. They bring out various versions of the show, which was not seen again after the initial theatrical run.
Retro Stage Set and Corny Dancers Add to the Charm
There are plenty of time capsule visuals, dancers that race out on stage and interact with the performers at choice times. There’s no announcer, bands just appear on the spare set, and they play live. Some acts play one song, others like The Rolling Stones, much more. There are deafening screams from 2,600 fans to add to the excitement.
Probably the highlight among highlights is what some call the finest performance of James Brown and his Famous Flames ever captured on film. He turns in a dynamic show, dancing on his toes, and the red-hot band plays with a lot of energy. At the end, an assistant comes up and brings his cape, and repeatedly Brown leaves the stage and returns, as the backup singers dance around.
Rolling Stones Turn in a Rocking Set
The Rolling Stones never sounded better, starting off with Chuck Berry's Round and Round. Oddly, Bill Wyman was not in the screen until later in the set, and he is in his trademark position, his bass almost vertical. Brian Jones plays rhythm on his white Vox guitar, and Richards raves on his Les Paul.
Both had identical Fender amps, and the band went through Off The Hook, It’s All Over Now, Time is On My Side, and others, mostly from their first LP Rolling Stones Now. Oddly enough, an entire orchestra sits in the darkness in the background, not playing of course, but just sitting there.
The Beach Boys came out and did Surfin’ USA, giving a great performance with an exuberant Brian Wilson singing his familiar falsetto. Not long after this, he stopped playing on the road, so this is an excellent example of the band’s live performances.
Liverpool Band Performs Smash Hit and Lesley Gore Appears
Gerry & The Pacemakers did their big hit at the time Ferry Cross The Mersey, and Lesley Gore sang It’s My Party. Many times the dancers would come out during the sets, it seemed to be the standard for TV shows at the time, and it is hard to imagine that kind of thing being staged now. No artist would put up with it.
Chuck Berry was excellent with Sweet Little Sixteen, and others performed well, being at the height of their careers. One of the best things about this show was the length of the sets, the Rolling Stones had a half dozen songs, and at the end of their appearance, all the other artists on the show came out and danced around with each other.
Much of the footage was taken from the archives and never seen by the public other than the lucky 2,600 people in the theater, and those that watched the movie during its run.
In the end, this ranks as one of the greatest live concerts of all times, a rare window into the the sixties rock and roll revolution.
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