The film industry and the music industry are really not that different. Buckets of money, inflated egos, thirst for fame and a dash of genuine creative genius propel each industry and always will. The post-war arts movement, best known as rock and roll, may have been one of the rare times where both industries set aside the vices and found a true artistic inspiration in the possibilities of modern technology and ideology. Lambert & Stamp is the rare music documentary that looks at not just the music of this pivotal time period, it looks at the familiar characters of the movement and does not introduce them as icons. They are the puppets and products of other rock artists– a beautiful collaborative symphony where, ironically enough, nobody knew what they were supposed to be playing.
Lambert & Stamp tells the story of the titular duo of Kit Lambert and Chris Stamp, two young filmmakers working in mid-century London trying to make it as directors. After rock and roll music began to sound from the radios of the British youth, the duo thought of the bright idea to make a film about managing a band and turn it into their breakthrough film. Thus began the legend of the band soon to be known as The Who. Now, of course, Lambert and Stamp were never a part of the group, however Pete Townshend – The Who’s lead guitarist and composer – credits them to be just as much a part of the band as the four core members.
Now, of course, Lambert and Stamp were never a part of the group, however Pete Townshend – The Who’s lead guitarist and composer – credits them to be just as much a part of the band as the four core members.
The film is a fascinating look at the role of managers and musicians. Lambert and Stamp’s cinematic interests give a directorial spin to the band, almost treating them as actors. Never in a manipulative way, however – the manager/band relationship in Lambert & Stamp is painted as a collaboration, not the circus that is often associated with management and artists. This insight gives the band a more intimate and humanizing persona. Townshend and frontman Roger Daltrey discuss their collaboration with Lambert and Stamp with such honesty that it will tug on the heartstrings of any rock fan.
If there is one thing that Lambert & Stamp makes apparent, it is that rock and roll is still alive and kicking. The Dave Grohl’s and Jack White’s of the world – the last great rock stars of this generation – may cry foul about how the genre is on its last legs, and how evil record labels are taking money and creativity out of the hands of the artists. That money part may be true, but the creativity in sonic experimentation and theatricality is just as innovative as it was fifty years ago. The anarchic and youthful spirit of bands like The Who and their manager companions may have started ‘rock and roll,’ but it’s only now just getting started.
Lambert & Stamp is now playing at the Landmark Theatres.
