Up until the mid-1960s, Virginia City, NV was probably most culturally famous as the site of the Ponderosa on TV's "Bonanza." That all changed in 1965, when the Red Dog Saloon opened its doors and bands such as The Charlatans and Big Brother and the Holding Company began to experiment with their music in a live setting, with a backdrop of swirling colored lights; a gestational environment that would usher in the San Francisco psychedelic ballroom era shortly thereafter. "Rockin' at the Red Dog" is a fine documentary from 1996 that explores those heady times. Filmmaker Mary Works, who was employed at the Red Dog way back when, has here managed to interview many of the club's original founders, hired help, hangers-on and, of course, on-stage talent. And while it would have been too much to expect actual video footage of The Charlatans, The PH Phactor Jug Band, The Wildflower, The Final Solution and other seminal Red Dog bands caught in the act, we DO get to see a Charlatans rehearsal from 1965, as well as assorted footage of those other groups. The film even manages to provide some rare audio of Quicksilver's John Cipollina during an interview, and show some pre-Janis footage of Big Brother in concert. The film, in its final half hour, kinda veers off its central subject to cover the early S.F. ballroom scene, but since I'm a sucker for anything smacking of this era, I didn't mind a bit...especially when luminaries such as Peter Albin and Dave Getz (from Big Brother) and Family Dog cofounder/poster artist Anton Kelly are the ones dishing out the dirt! This documentary is a cogent reminder that although summer 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the so-called "Summer of Love," the years 1965 and 1966 were when all the real fun was going down, and that the Red Dog Saloon was in large part responsible for getting the ball rolling. A worthwhile film.Read full review
If I had to come up with a criticism of this video, it would only be that it was a little too long for anyone who isn't seriously interested in the history of the whole psychedelic San Francisco 60s music scene. If however like myself, you have a love for that magical time rock music history when posters and mind-expansion were changing the cultural landscape like a ten point earthquake, you will love this video. It's more than just a documentary on an obscure bar, it's weekend visit with some of the psychedelic sound's founders and a visual/audio flashback you will not want to miss. Dig it!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is such a great film, i just don't know where to start. HISTORICAL FOOTAGE-i'd rate it in the nineties on a scale of one hundred for selecting the less obvious choices that i'm not aware of being available elsewhere, for including complete clips/promo video pre-cursors to the music video a la mtv, and full songs not ten-second clips, and also very high audio/video quality of historic footage. WHERE/WHO/HOW ARE THEY NOW FOOTAGE- while incomplete, it still rates in the nineties by my opinion, although maybe lower in the nineties than the historical segments. MODERN MUSICAL FOOTAGE OF THE RED DOG RE-UNION BAND-Good stuff,maybe not the height of excellence-very spirited, about what would be expected from very talented musicians who haven't played together in twenty-five or thirty years. AAA+++ Unique among a genre of films that can easily be tedious and frustrating by promising the Moon and delivering Leslie West mooning out a tour-bus window.Read full review
A time of long past of a real romantic and magical time. Wish there was more of Quicksilver and Airplane. But you get what you get. A grand time was had by all. Seeing old friends and performers was really kewl. Remembering those days was easy during the showing. A fun DVD. A must for anyone who wants to know about the beginnings of the Haight-Ashbury and the Psychedelic scene. Charlatans were the first. Thanks. Peter v.W. aka Lecraze
This is a ok documentary about the venue featuring a lot about an ok band I had never heard of. I thought it would be more of a concert video featuring Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, and the Jefferson Airplane. I was mostly disappointed
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
When I purchased this DVD, I thought it was all concert footage, but it turns out to be a "Rock-u-mentary". It really it quite interesting to hear and see the artists giving first hand interviews and the history of themselves and their music. The footage is clean and clear, and it really is a small way of getting into the heads of some of rocks greatest artists in their earlier years. I wish there where more places like the "Red Dog" where you could still rub elbows with music in the making, and realize the artists are still just like us...only now known by many..... If you want to sing AND learn something new, this is a GREAT Video.
Pretty cool to look back on the Hip era.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
What happened, musically and socially, in the 1960es was no less than awesome. So much is taken for granted nowadays, but some people were actually out there (risking their lives).
This is one of the best shows I ever say and now I can see it again. It was great then and still is a great show.
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