Legal issues or superstar egos have kept some holy grails of the classic rock era in endless limbo over the years (see Let It Be, or Cocksucker Blues). The release of The T.A.M.I. Show (an acronym for Teenage Awards Music International) after decades of only being available on bootleg is a monumental event, and, guaranteed, after watching it, you will believe in the power of music once again.
Here’s the context: it’s October 1964, only eight months after the Beatles’ first trip to America. Three months before, the U.S. signed the Civil Rights Act. It was in this period of cultural and historical upheaval that thousands of high school teens rammed the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for two days of screaming at a line-up that crossed key lines of race, sex, America/England, past/present. Twelve acts, including James Brown (in what he himself believed to be his greatest performance), The Rolling Stones (who foolishly followed Brown to close the set), Chuck Berry (who opened in a strange match-up with Gerry and the Pacemakers), Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Supremes, The Beach Boys (whose performance was removed after the initial run, leading to much of the legal headache over the years), and surprisingly smashing sets by The Barbarians and Lesley Gore all add up to one of the greatest package concerts there ever was.
Anyone who has ever even liked one of these artists owes it to him/herself to check this one out, if only for the mind-boggling James Brown set. Or the quick glimpses of Jack Nitzsche leading the orchestra, or Teri Garr and Toni Basil as some of the irrepressible go-go dancers—seriously, the whiplash-inducing moves of the dancers is reason enough to grab this one. Combined with the exciting commentary and collector’s edition package, this is truly foundational and mandatory viewing. Can I be any more clear about this?