Hullabaloo, Vols. 1-4

"Hullabaloo" featured the most popular rock 'n' roll artists, the stars of Hollywood, Broadway, and television, and the famed "Hullabaloo" dancers. This DVD contains more than four hours of vintage performances--seven television episodes along with 18 bonus selections, including segments hosted by Beatles manager Brian Epstein from London. Full-length hit performances by The Animals, Sammy Davis Jr., Chuck Berry, The Byrds, The Four Seasons, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Lesley Gore, Herman's Hermits, The Mamas and the Papas, Sonny and Cher, The Moody Blues, Paul Revere and the Raiders, Dusty Springfield, The Supremes, Dionne Warwick, The Yardbirds, and many more! The short-lived (1965-66) Shindig! knockoff Hullabaloo epitomizes the often-faltering steps U.S. network television made to keep up with the explosion of rock & roll culture in the wake of Beatlemania. Sometimes inspired, sometimes silly (definitely the latter with hosts and guests like Jerry Lewis, Michael Landon, Freddie and the Dreamers, and Vikki Carr), seven episodes plus bonus performances fill this DVD compilation of previous VHS releases. Over its four and a half hours, in black-and-white and color, true rockers ranging from Chuck Berry, the Lovin' Spoonful, Martha and the Vandellas, and the Animals slam into the slightly clueless (Chad & Jill) and the utterly hopeless (Joanie Sommers, Frankie Avalon, the aforementioned Freddie). Moments of irrepressible pop genius (Marvin Gaye's "Ain't That Peculiar") and sheer drama (Dionne Warwick's "Message to Michael") make this a must, though. Throw in a bit of apparent collusion between an NBC director and Byrd Roger McGuinn as he aims the "Your sons and daughters are beyond your command" verse of "The Times They Are A-Changin'" in extreme close-up to millions of American parents, and Hullabaloo's ultimate success is demonstrated. --Rickey Wright

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