Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked The World

RUMBLE: THE INDIANS WHO ROCKED THE WORLD (2018) - Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana's interesting Documentary got a brief theatrical release last year, and is now streaming via iTunes, Youtube etc.. Taking it's title from Native American guitarist Link Wray's pounding tune, RUMBLE attempts to show the link from Native American music (particularly its ryhymic aspects) to much of contemporary music. It succeeds to a large degree as it traces how Native Americans and African Americans were often discriminated against and thrust together by larger society (and inter-married). Native American musicians combined with black performers to create the mix of blues and folk to create rock 'n roll. Some of the connections seem more tenuous than others, but, the history is well told. Interview subjects ranging from Taj Mahal to Buffy St. Marie to Robbie Robertson to Tommy Ramone give insight (Marie and Robertson are of Native American descent). The Doc loses a bit of its focus as it enters the more modern era, but RUMBLE is a solid introduction to this aspect of rock's tangled roots.

This starts with a full on Link Wray appreciation overload as we learn he was half native Indian. It's interesting, but doesn't really feel like sure footing for a feature length documentary. This format continues with Charlie Patton, Hendrix, but it improves with a deep look at white Americas treatment of native Americans and the oppression of their culture... and their music. Utilising some really nice archival footage, it's a story of diversification of people and cultures, the rhythms those people brought with them, the birth of new sounds from those origins and how those sounds came to influence the music we recognise today.

This movie blew me away. Not only do you see the evolution of rock and roll, you see it's influence on other genres and performances by some of the great musicians of all time.

You also see the targeting of Native American cultures in our early history, which is a story that is still rarely told,and one of our greatest crimes.

For many reasons, you MUST see and share, this movie.

I saw this film at the Sonoma film fest. There were probably 200 people in the audience and all sat in rapt attention. No one walked out and there was mad applause at the end. A beautiful music and Native American feel good story masterfully told.

The heavy distortion that carries from Link Wray's iconic "Rumble" was the current that ran through every rock 'n' roll song that ever came after. His, and many other influential and musical talents, are of Native American descent, which is a traditionally overlooked culture when it comes to popular music.

Native American musicians undoubtedly played a major role in the creation and influence of blues, rock 'n' roll, and pop music. Beginning with Link Wray's historic riff, to Redbone's 70s pop smash, "Come and Get Your Love," to Black Eyed Pea's rapper Taboo, director's, Catherine Bainbridge and Alfonso Maiorana, have created a wonderfully unique documentary making a sound argument that Native American's have made the most influential contributions to music.

This a definite watch for any music fanatic.