The “VH1 Rock Docs” franchise will take a look at England’s Mod band of choice, The Who, with a new feature-length film next month.
Amazing Journey: The Story of The Who will bow under the Rock Docs banner Nov. 3 at 9 p.m. The two-hour film, authorized by the legendary British band and produced by Spitfire Pictures’ Nigel Sinclair (No Direction Home: Bob Dylan), will be simulcast that night on VH1 Classic and run commercial-free on MHD: Music High-Definition, MTV Network’s HD music channel.
Marking 40 years since the band’s first U.S. appearance, the film, which made its worldwide debut at The Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 12, traces the group’s roots back to its days as The Detours and High Numbers. It’s replete with both familiar and unseen concert performances that showcases the band’s frenetic style, delves into the creation of rock opera Tommy and the anthem My Generation, as well as the deaths of drummer Keith Moon and bassist John Entwistle. The footage is flanked by recent commentary from surviving members Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey, as well as interviews with relatives, friends, manager Bill Curbishley and artists The Edge, Sting and Eddie Vedder, among others.
Beginning Nov. 6, a sister project, Amazing Journey: Six Quick Ones, will be available on VH1Classic.com. This feature is divided into segments examining each of the four band member’s musical talents; a look at the Mod and Pop art movements; and a 2003 session for “Real Good Looking Boy,” at the time the band’s first new studio recording in over 20 years.
The films will be combined in a Universal Studios Home Entertainment twin-DVD set, carrying a suggest retail of $29.95, on Nov. 6
