Salute to the Isle of Wight Festival!
U.S. Theatrical Premiere of "What's Going On"!
World Theatrical Premiere of "Extra Wight!"
Triple-Bill of Stars of Rock, Folk,Country, Jazz, Blues & Prog-Rock!
Tribute to Director Murray Lerner

Sunday August 19, 2018 - 7:30 pm
Aero Theatre, Santa Monica

MESSAGE TO LOVE

(1995, 120 mins, MLF/Eagle Rock, Directed by Murray Lerner)

The 1970 Isle Of Wight Festival was the largest rock event of that era with over 600,000 attendees. And it was historic. It featured the last major performances by Jimi Hendrix (who died three weeks later) and Jim Morrison (who died ten months later). Future Oscar-winner Murray Lerner beautifully captured the performances by the cream of rock royalty and also discreetly documented the greed of the promoters and festival attendees that helped kill off the 1960s hippie dream. Includes stunning performances by: The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Jethro Tull, ELP, Free, Ten Years After, The Moody Blues, John Sebastian, Donovan, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen.

WHAT'S GOING ON: RORY GALLAGHER'S TASTE AT THE ISLE OF WIGHT

(2016, 82 mins, MLF/Eagle Rock, Directed by Murray Lerner)

Before he became one of the world's most respected blues guitarists-singer-songwriters, Rory Gallagher fronted a much-loved rock-blues power trio called Taste who were exceptionally popular in the UK and Ireland in the late 1960s. Their reputation and following made them a natural booking for the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. However by the time they got on stage they had made a decision to split up and go their separate ways. Reportedly to free themselves from a draconian management agreement. Their decision was not publicly known at this point. Perhaps the feeling of liberation from their Indentured servitude was what inspired them to play what was one of the most blistering sets of their too-short career. And indeed of the whole festival. And it was the launching pad for the next 25 years that followed of Rory Gallagher's acclaimed solo career until his untimely death age 47. This film by Murray Lerner presents that 1970 performance together with reflections on the context of Rory Gallagher's excellent Taste...

EXTRA WIGHT! - RARE FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES

(2018, 40 mins, MLF/Eagle Rock, Directed by Murray Lerner)

Murray Lerner shot the entire 1970 Isle of Wight Festival. Legal complications - well-documented elsewhere - resulted in the footage being tied up for years. By the time the legalities were resolved the material was considered "old" - the worst adjective imaginable in the 1970s. It wasn't till 25 years after the event that Murray's masterwork overview of the festival "Message To Love" was released. Followed by a series of films each dedicated to a single-artist. "Extra Wight!" gathers together nine rarely-seen performances - none of them in "Message To Love" - by the Who, the Doors, the Moody Blues, Free (with Paul Rodgers), Jethro Tull, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Miles Davis and Joni Mitchell. World Premiere of this film!

Today's Stars!

Musicians:

Joan Baez • Leonard Cohen • Miles Davis • Donovan • The Doors • Emerson, Lake & Palmer • Free • Rory Gallagher • Jimi Hendrix • Jethro Tull • Kris Kristofferson • Joni Mitchell • The Moody Blues • Procol Harum • Paul Rodgers • John Sebastian • Taste • Ten Years After • Tiny Tim • The Who