With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Rutlemania!
Friday night was Rutlemania'sclosing night in Los Angeles. The show is currently headed to New York. Rutlemania is a multimedia extravaganza produced by Eric Idle with all of the Rutles songs performed by the cover band "The Pre-Fab Four".
Interspersed between (some rare) clips from All You Need is Cash, and Can't Buy me Lunch, the songs from the film are performed live, like a musical. The theater audience was also entertained by dancing girls, flashy lights, tea, bubbles and the spectre of Leggy Mountbatten.
In the shadow of comedy, people tend to overlook pure musical talent. It is too easy to dismiss a comedian's music as novelty songs. Neil Innes'music stands up against some of the more screedly-eedly Beatles music, and definitely out-does a lot of bands that rode the coat-tails of the British invasion. It is easy to forget how often some stoner nerds watched that movie. It has a place in our lives and our hearts that is no less genuine than any other music. It is definitely more genuine than most pop music and bubblegum tunes. The music really did mean something to a generation, and it was an unexpected treat to hear it performed live.
"The Fab Four" appearing as the "Pre-Fab Four" did justice to every song. People had to be reminded that they were not lip-synching. Every song was performed live, and spot-on. Tight does not begin to describe how clean this band plays.
Support for LAist comes from
The Fab Four closed out the night with two Beatles songs -- Get Back and The End. We overheard someone say, "That was the most meta concert experience I've ever had."
Local musicians Abby Travis and Falling James were in attendance, along with Fred Willard. LAist spoke with Fred Willard, but did not get his impressions of the show, because somehow they were too busy discussing Fernwood Tonight sketches.
At the little afterparty, LAist mostly spoke with Martin of Mods and Rockers. He is quite the raconteur. When he gave me his business card I felt like I had won an award. Prepare yourselves, there are big plans afoot for this coming summer's Mods and Rockers Film Festival.
Eric Idle hung out in the lobby during the intermission, and after the show he stood there and signed every single autograph and posed for every photograph for every fan until they were all gone. That was truly impressive. They adore him, and he clearly does not take that for granted.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember.
Best of LAist