Synopsis
One unlikely man made America listen
A look at the history of fame in the world through the eyes of pop star impresario, Rodney Bingenheimer
Where to watch
Mayor of the Sunset Strip
2003 Directed by George Hickenlooper
Cast
Genres
Popular reviews
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For newbies, this documentary is a reasonably entertaining introduction to the obscure world of club owner, DJ, and scene-maker, Rodney Bingenheimer, a pivotal player in the formation of the L.A. punk scene of the 1970s.
Rodney is a very odd cat; a cipher with a barely discernible personality, an asexual pod person, possibly inhabited by alien slugs from the Dumbbell Nebula. An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, sprinkled with bacon bits. I've met him a few times, and he seemed pleasant enough, but as my sainted mother always says, "Something just ain't right about that boy."
He's is also distinctly untalented, and unsuited for anything other than being a scenemaker. He's the Forrest Gump of Hollywood; always present at the…
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I had heard of Rodney Bingenheimer before I heard him one night on KROQ. Whoa, this is the guy? Such a strange, muffled, oddly modulated voice, self-conscious. But excited. I tuned in whenever I had a radio on at night (until, sorry, I found the nightly electronic show on KCRW. L.A. absolutely had the best radio). “Rodney on the Roq” in the ‘90s usually hit a happier, poppier mood than the regular fare. Melodies, bands with women in them, alternative guitars, Brit-pop. It was a fuckload better than KROQ’s playlist at the time which was leaning heavier and heavier towards metal hybrids. Gag. Sorry not sorry. No more KNAC, and most rock stations were struggling. Ch-ch-changes.
Bald Joan Jett is…
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A friend recommended The Mayor Of Sunset Strip, a documentary about DJ and famed groupie Rodney Bingenheimer. I had a vague knowledge of him as a DJ that broke a lot of cool new music in LA (X, The Ramones, Blondie, Iggy Pop, The Smiths, The Sex Pistols, Elvis Costello, Blur, Oasis, and Cold Play among others) “Rodney On The Roq”-is his show, which seems to have been pushed into the 12am-3 am spot after having a more prominent position. It is an unusual documentary; it reminded me a bit of Crumb-the principle characters are quirky and strange. Kim Fowley, another groupie from the era, is a very strange and creepy man who has several great sound bites throughout the…
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Fascinating to me -- but then, I get that feeling of discovering a band that is so cool that you can't help but share it. At times in my life, I've prided myself on my in-depth music knowledge. Such pride is always knocked flat by some other asshole who actually does know more than me, and usually in one way or another they are like Rodney Bingenheimer. Except, of course, Rodney has street cred like no one I know. He trumps us all.
My earliest musical influences, apart from 70's pop radio, were forged in the schoolyard. There was this guy, Christian, who was wiry and tough. He had a gang, although a pretty pathetic group by today's high-shooting standards.…
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A pretty depressing look at Rock n Roll’s most influential yet least appreciated figure. A little disjointed, but it painted an adequate picture of the L.A. music scene.
This was also my reminder of how glad I am that Kim Fowley’s dead. What a fucking ghoul
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Rodney Bingenheimer, "Rodney on the ROQ" the KROQ DJ in L.A. and his "Zelig"-like presence on the L.A. music scene. He comes off as a likeable loser, a person that people like and respect for his musical taste, but who also strikes the viewer as a sad and lonely man. It's a great look back at the history of music in L.A. and on Sunset Blvd. and beyond. Look for David Bowie, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Cher, and other famous fans of the DJ.
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did i watch this for the literal 2 second joan jett and debbie harry cameos... yeah i did. was it worth it? still questioning.
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A relatively charming portrait of Rodney Bingenheimer made toxic by trying to ‘expose’ his dysfunctional family and love life.
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I grew up in a musical LA created by Rodney on the Rock— so many of my childhood memories are papered with music he brought to California. And while this movie is ostensibly about his life, it is about something more existentially potent: what does it mean to be the person who recognizes the potential in others, starts people on their path, only to be left behind.
If this movie could be summed up in a t-shirt . . . “I helped make you millionaires and all I got was this sad movie focused on my loneliness.”
And as old and stodgy as this may sound (“I remember when DJs could pick their own music my-boy”) this movie does make me despair for music. What will happen when our access to music is entirely determined by the industry and algorithms?
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Documentary about Rodney Bingenheimer whose attraction to music and celebrity helped him forge a career from being a groupie/hanger on to a quasi celebrity of his own as a Los Angeles DJ helping to get exposure to what would eventually become world reknowned bands.
Virtually a who’s who of musicians lend a hand in the interview segments. Always entertaining but sometimes sad when it comes to his personal and family life/relationships. Must see for music fans.