Chuck Berry - Hail! Hail! Rock N Roll (4 Disc)

Product Details

Hackford's original film, now issued with a crisp, anamorphic transfer and digital sound, occupies Disc One. A parade of classics are heard during the climactic concert, performed by Berry and a superb band (led by Keith Richards and featuring guitarist Robert Cray and Johnny Johnson, Berry's original pianist, among others), with guest shots by Eric Clapton (smoking on the slow blues "Wee Wee Hours"), Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, and Julian Lennon (whose dad was an unabashed Berry fan). There are revealing offstage glimpses, too, like Berry confessing that he only took up music full-time because there was more money in it than in housepainting, or a weary, wasted Richards admitting that "I was mad to take the gig" but gamely standing up to his idol at every turn (watch for a memorable moment during the very first song of the concert, when Chuck attempts to change key in mid-tune and Keith sternly shakes him off).

The three discs of bonus features add a lot more to the portrait. Much of it is terrific: A nostalgic Berry poring over his scrapbook with Robbie Robertson of the Band; some lengthy rehearsal jams with Clapton, Richards, and James; hours (literally) of convivial conversation with Little Richard, Bo Diddley, and other rock pioneers. But if you're the type who can't turn away from car wrecks, don't miss "The Reluctant Movie Star," an hour-long "making of" documentary, for it's here that Hackford and the others who worked on the film tell their war stories. The Chuck Berry they know demanded to be paid every day, in cash, or he'd refuse to be filmed. He showed up for a dinner meeting at L.A.'s posh Le Dome with a bag of McDonald's takeout. And two days before the St. Louis concert, he announced that he was leaving town for a gig in Ohio, where he proceeded to blow out his voice--so his vocals all had to be overdubbed after the fact (an extra payday, natch). Hail! Hail! Rock n' Roll was already an entertaining two hours. But the various extra material, none of it seen before and all of it introduced by Hackford, makes this "ultimate collector's addition" a must-have. --Sam Graham

Product Reviews

(5 stars) - Recommended for Rock'n'Roll Enthusiasts!
We cannot get the 4 DVD-edition in Europe. I got it from amazon.com (expedit shipping) in less than a week. Marvelous that is!
There are so many reviews here. I just like to add that this is truly a great portrait of great musicians. For those who play or those who like guitars and the music of that era. Not necessarily for Stones-fans because they do not occur. It was Keith Richards' project. So he's the only one that appears in that movie. His interview though is not presented completely.
Lay back and enjoy an evening of pure Rock'n'Roll music with lots of documentary and interviews!

(5 stars) - Chuck at his very best
This 4 dvd set has it all from Chuck in his glory to his personal side to his friends and business associates describing the man
If you want to really get close to Chuck Berry's world this dvd set is for you.

(4 stars) - Worthwhile.
The DVD's are great but they could be compatible with all world regions. Moreover, it would be nice if there were English subtitles for people with hearing disability.

(5 stars) - Hail! Hail ! Rock N Roll
I literally take my hat off to you for a superb remake of this classic
film. New DTS and Dolby dig. audio are fantastic. I saw the original release in 1987 and to this day its still my favorite rock documentary. I was born in the late fourties and grew up listening to Chuck and others.
His influence shows itself in my Guitar playing to this day and I'm now in
my early sixties. Thanks for the memories,, Robert Gonzales.

(5 stars) - No doubt, this is the Chuck Berry for forever
Keith Richards did a history as Music Director, in the organization of this great show at St. Louis, Missouri, it will preserve for the eternity the golden era of pure rock from Chuck Berry. Highlight to the four discs (two CDs and two DVDs) configuration in this edition.

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