The T.A.M.I. Sho
Directed by Steve Binder
Written by William Sargent Jr.
1964/USA
Screen Entertainment Co./Screencraft International/Theatrofilm
First viewing/Netflix rental
[box] Tagline: It’s the Greatest, Grooviest, Wildest, Most Exciting Beat Blast Ever to Pound the Screen![/box]
Pure heaven.
On three glorious nights in 1964, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium was lit up by thousands of screaming fans and the following acts: Chuck Berry; Gerry and the Pacemakers; Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas; The Supremes; Smokey Robinson and the Miracles; Marvin Gaye; Leslie Gore; Jan and Dean; The Beach Boys; The Barbarians; James Brown and the Flames; and the Rolling Stones.
Each one of the performers was at or near their peak. Some enterprising young men captured the whole thing on “Electrovision”, making this one of the first uses of digital filming.
Each of the acts is given 10-15 minutes and sings a medley of their best 1964 songs – proving that 1964 was one of the greatest years for pop music ever. The whole thing builds up to an unbelievable crescendo with the closing sets of James Brown followed by The Rolling Stones. The only slight downside is lots of screaming and some distracting go-go dancers (including Teri Garr) If you have any interest in the performers or the music, don’t miss this!
Amazing that the harmonies are so solid live. Brian Wilson stopped touringdat the end of 1964.
