Arlington’s Regent Theatre To Present Hendrix & Rory Gallagher Concert Film Premieres

Sep 16, 2015

Arlington, MA (September 4, 2015) – On Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th, the historic Regent Theatre will present an unprecedented documentary screening event with two New England theatrical film premieres featuring revered guitar players Jimi Hendrix and Rory Gallagher.  Both films showcase legendary festival performances from the summer of 1970—45 years ago—and the weekend screenings also commemorate the 45th anniversary of Hendrix’s death (9/18/70). 

Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church is a new documentary which unveils previously unseen footage of the 1970 Atlanta Pop Festival.  Hailed as the ‘Southern Woodstock’, Jimi Hendrix headlined the sprawling festival which drew nearly 500,000 people to Byron, Georgia, a tiny farming town 100 miles south of Atlanta.  Hendrix’s spectacular July 4 performance features unforgettable renditions of such signature songs as “All Along The Watchtower,” “Purple Haze,” and “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and has never before been seen in America.

The film presents interviews with Hendrix himself, commentary from festival organizers and fellow festival performers, and well-known friends and musicians including Paul McCartney, Mitch Mitchell, Billy Cox, and Kirk Hammett to provide new insight into the musician’s personality and genius.  Hendrix’s path to the festival is set against the explosive growth of the festival culture that took root in the aftermath of the premiere of the Woodstock documentary in May 1970.  All across America, young people sought out their own cultural gathering places and the Atlanta Pop Festival quickly blossomed from an expected audience of 100,000 to nearly half a million people.
Directed by John McDermott, whose resume includes the Grammy winning Band Of Gypsys, the Emmy Award winning Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train A Comin’, Eric Clapton & Steve Winwood Live At Madison Square Garden, and Buddy Guy: My Time After Awhile). 

Screening Friday, 9/18 at 9:15pm & Saturday, 9/19 at 7:30pm. 90 minutes.
OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65lgL2J5408


“What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 tells the story of Eire’s seminal rock band Taste. Formed in Cork, Ireland in 1966 by Rory Gallagher, Taste had a brief but influential career, releasing two studio albums in 1969 and 1970 and disbanding shortly after their legendary appearance at the 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival—the centerpiece of this film.

The core of What’s Going On is the band’s performance at the festival on August 28th. Encapsulated within a documentary on the history and importance of Taste, the film features contributions from Rory’s brother and Taste road manager Donal Gallagher along with Brian May (Queen), The Edge (U2), Bob Geldof and renowned guitarist Larry Coryell.

Taste’s performance at the festival was so well received that when Jimi Hendrix was asked “How does it feel to be the best guitarist in the world,” he replied, “I don’t know, why don’t you go and ask Rory Gallagher?”

The original 1970 footage was shot by Academy Award winning director Murray Lerner. The 16mm film has been restored and the sound remixed for this 2015 version of What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970, which includes all the tracks on the original 1971 Polydor LP plus several additional tracks. 
Rory Gallagher would go on to enjoy an acclaimed and highly successful solo career.  Johnny Marr said, “The man who changed my musical life was Rory Gallagher, I picked up a guitar because of him.” 

The electrifying What’s Going On – Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970 is an early example of Rory’s justified reputation as the ultimate live performer.  90 minutes.
Screening Friday, 9/18 at 7:30pm & Saturday, 9/19 at 9:30pm. 90 minutes.

CHECK OUT “WHAT’S GOING ON” LIVE:  https://youtu.be/mOo_Zi1W2iE

“Jimi Hendrix: Electric Church”  and “What’s Going On – Taste Live At The Isle Of Wight Festival 1970” will be presented at Arlington’s historic Regent Theatre on Friday and Saturday, September 18th and 19th starting at 7:30pm each night .  Located at 7 Medford St. in Arlington Center (off of Mass Ave)—minutes from Cambridge and Boston—the Regent is MBTA and handicap accessible with free parking across the street.  General Admission tickets are $10 single admission or $15 for the double feature. For tickets and info call 781-646-4849 or visit regenttheatre.com . 
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