Teen A Go Go

"If you were booked at an a go go, you were a star."

On the evening of February 9, 1964, Ed Sullivan introduced The Beatles to America. The next morning 10 million teens had something new to do. With their jaws still on the floor and inspiration stirring within, thousands of youngsters knew their destiny lay in rock and roll. The influence these teens had on rock and roll was unprecedented and their musicianship was impressive. Banging away in their parents garages, teen bands created timeless music. Many 'one take' recordings of garage rock made from 1964 through 1968 have become highly collectible and continue to influence contemporary bands and receive radio play to this day. Teen A Go Go is a rock and roll stomp from beginning to end, providing an entertaining, nostalgic ride into the vibrant teen scenes of the mid 1960's. Featuring original recordings, never before sen super 8 movies, rare archival footage, photographs and interviews with musicians, fans and industry experts. Teen A Go Go captures this historic burst of creativity that swept the nation and changed rock and roll forever.

Teen A Go Go features the biggest names and best music that came out of Fort Worth. The biggest hit by far was Bruce Channel's "Hey! Baby," which featured Delbert McClinton on the harmonica. McClinton's harmonica styling famously influenced John Lennon's harmonica on The Beatle's song "Love Me Do." Another band, The Elites, had a major success with their song "One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four" (originally a spoof on "Surfin' Bird" by The Trashmen), and it is still widely played and covered today. Other hits include; Ray Sharpe's "Linda Lu," Larry Roquemore's and The Blue Notes "Night of the Phantom," and Nick "The Creep" Kithas of Creep and the Deacons', "Betty Lou Got a New Tattoo." These small town successes even played the opening act at the Will Rogers Coliseum for big named bands such as; The Doors, The Beach Boys, Blood Sweat and Tears and The Yardbirds. Even The Kandy Kanes, one of the only girl groups of Fort Worth, got in on the action when they had the huge surprise of lending The Rolling Stones their equipment.

Through a series of interviews with the musicians themselves, industry experts, archival footage and photographs, Teen A Go Go GO takes audiences on an entertaining and nostalgic ride into the teen scenes and into the lives of the people who lived it.

Melissa Kirkendall's documentary TEEN A GO GO traces a brief period of rock and roll history where teenage performers were signed up by enterprising record executives who shuttled them into the studio as quickly as possible so that they could continue to churn out product. Interestingly, many of these songs actually have some staying power, and the filmmakers sit down with people who have warm memories of this brief era of pop culture.

Documentary | History | Teenage | Teenagers

Genre:

• Pop / Rock