Remarkable "T.A.M.I." concert resurfaces after decades
Friday, April 2, 2010 at 1:01 AM
Logan Molen in "T.A.M.I. Show", Music, Video

The much-acclaimed but long-suppressed “T.A.M.I. Show” rock-and-soul concert has finally been released in DVD, much to the joy of hardcore music aficionados.

The black-and-white movie, in fact, was never released on videotape, making its release (from Shout! Factory for a mere $11.99 at Amazon) all the more exciting.

“T.A.M.I.,” short for the oddly named “Teenage Awards Music International,” was a 1964 concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium that was remarkable for its time, blending white and black rock, pop and soul acts onstage in a revue recorded for showings in theaters around the country a mere two weeks later.

The show – which cost $450,000 to produce -- features more than 45 songs in rapid fire order, featuring, in order, hosts Jan & Dean, Chuck Berry, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, The Beach Boys, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas, The Supremes, The Barbarians, James Brown and the Flames and The Rolling Stones.

And they’re all at the top of their games. The show wasn’t intended to be an infomercial for diversity and civil rights but it certainly works on that level. 

"T.A.M.I. Show" features nearly 50 songs from a diverse group of performersHighlights include:

Maybe I know that he’s been a cheatin’

Maybe I know he’s been untrue

But what can I do?

and

Deep down inside he loves me

Though he may run around

The DVD extras include commentary from director Steve Binder and music historian Don Waller, as well as original radio and TV promos (one with commentary from director John Landis, who attended the concert as a young student).

I first saw "T.A.M.I." in a music-appreciation class at Fresno State. Even then, I knew I was watching something magical, and the movie drew me into the worlds of soul and R&B, as well as deeper into roots rock and Southern soul. Watching the show for the first time in 30 years is equally magical, and I hope others can discover what should be considered a great piece of American pop culture history.

Article originally appeared on LoganMolen.com (https://www.loganmolen.com/).
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