We have a sick boy at home, so that means movie time—and he’s young enough (7) to watch just about anything that shows up on TCM without much complaint. Earlier this week, a movie called Hootenanny Hoot was on—and who pops up but a young Johnny Cash, looking pretty doggone cool.
The movie, which is sort of a cash-in on the early ’60s folk movement, isn’t very good, but does include a couple of great performances by Judy Henske. She kind of steals the show for me because they only have the one Cash song. I’d never heard of her, but she seems like a precursor of Janis and Grace Slick. I guess her most famous song is an early version of “High Flyin’ Bird,” which predates the Jefferson Airplane cover by 3 years or so.
I also like movies that pop in surprises—like Marshall Crenshaw playing Buddy Holly in La Bamba or Aimee Mann in The Big Lebowski.
What are some of your favorite artist cameos: musical performance or acting?
Flea is also in The Big Lebowski, which reminds me of the outstanding appearance by Anthony Kiedis (and Flea?) in Point Break!
Judy Henske married Jerry Yester from the Lovin’ Spoonful and they did a fairly entertaining baroque, psychedelic album called “Farewell Aldebaren” for Zappa’s Straight Record label.
Here’s the “hit”.
http://youtu.be/4vpWds0u-nc
Thanks — from Hootenanny Hoot to hanging out with Zappa.
I recall being a kid and occasionally watching those cornball beach movies. They would have the built in rock n roll moment which could be pretty cool or often pretty lame. I recall being fascinated and blown away when this man came in during Ski Party. I know you’ve all seen it…..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oR3AHkl9EI
I liked the surprise pop-in cameo of Howard Devoto in 24 Hour Party People in the scene where Steve Coogan playing Tony Wilson finds his girlfriend getting it on with an actor portraying Howard Devoto in a bathroom stall. The real Howard Devoto dressed as a waiter (or was he an attendant) breaks the fourth wall and declares “this is not how I remember things”.
I have never seen that! Appropriate for the season too.
That’s a great movie — and I was not aware of the cameo. Another reason to watch it again.
Tape Heads has a bunch of great musician cameos, but this one made me snarf:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyKzdvZU3pg
PS – John Cusack is sporting a mustache that is screaming for commentary on this site.
Yup, there are lots of good cameos in that movie. Look for Paul Ryder (brother of Shaun) as the bouncer at the Hacienda. I admit that this whole time I thought it was Shaun – they both have lost hair and gained girth.
Also Jimmy Dale Gilmore, as the bowler who’s foot crosses the line, forcing Walter to pull a gun on him.