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March 14, 2005
Not only did the success of Ray launch Jamie Foxx into the stratosphere, but it may also fuel a new round of films about famous musicians. Biopics in general are connecting with audiences this year. The Aviator, Kinsey, Finding Neverland and The Motorcycle Diaries were all based on real people who became famous. We like to see them as real people, witness their problems and have the ups and downs of their careers dramatized. The lurid and lavish lifestyles of rock stars are tailor made for the screen. Their rise from obscurity to fame, and often back to obscurity makes for the perfect three-act story. The good times with the girls, drugs and swagger provide viewers with some wish fulfillment. Then comes the eventual downfall, which we are all conditioned to expect from VH1’s Behind The Music. But there have been relatively few film biographies of musicians. Jim Morrison, Sid Vicious, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis and Sinatra come to mind. But why not Zeppelin, the Stones, Floyd, the Dead? This may change thanks to Ray, which swept both the Grammys and Oscars. Producers should see the opportunity to bridge the two lucrative worlds of music and movies. The people who saw Ray went out to the stores to discover his music. If he had not died during the film’s production, there is no doubt Ray Charles would be embarking on a tour that would be one of the year’s most successful. This for an artist who has not been mainstream for at least 30 years. The long delayed Janis Joplin film is moving towards production, as is one about her partner in overdose, Jimi Hendrix to be portrayed by Andre 3000 from Outkast. This provided the idea to explore other artists who fit the Ray template. Stevie Wonder – Majorly respected, his influence over R&B is massive plus as blind as Ray Charles. Automatic Oscars for costume design and hairstyles. Casting Choice – Jamie Foxx (let him play all blind superstars) James Brown – His wife beating,
PCP abuse, legendary dance moves and cameo in Rocky
IV are longing for the big screen treatment.
B.B. King – Legend with decades
and decades of smoky blues joint tales, including guitar
duels with the devil…..wait, wasn't that Crossroads
with Ralph Macchio?
David Bowie – Spiders from Mars,
bisexuality and a marriage to an African supermodel plus
lots of glitter outfits.
Freddie Mercury – Flamboyant as they come, requiring a versatile star to portray 70s era craziness and death from AIDS in 1991. The Oscars love tragedy. Steve Perry – Don’t be a snob.
The perfectly mediocre journey of Journey’s lead singer
deserves a shot. Their hits will remain prom dance songs
and muzak at malls for the next thousand years. |
