Danny Says: Exploring the Life and Times of Danny Fields
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Danny Fields 70s Portrait, Danny Fields Archive
Among those who love punk rock, Danny Fields is a household name. If you don’t know the man, you will (and should) once the new Brendan Toller-directed documentary chronicling his life, Danny Says, hits theaters. I had the opportunity to attend the NYC premiere at Lincoln Center, and was so blown away by the film that I couldn’t waste an opportunity to rave about it.
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Danny and Nico, photo by Linda Eastman, Danny Fields Archive
For those of you who aren’t familiar with Danny Fields, there really isn’t enough space on the blogosphere to go into detail about his fascinating life and career. A music and business maven, Fields has had a long career working with musicians that not only pushed the envelope, but who became some of the most influential in the field (e.g. Iggy & The Stooges, The Ramones, Lou Reed, The Doors, Judy Collins – just to name a few). In fact, it is clear through the numerous interviews that Toller conducted and compiled, that peers believe him to be one of the most prominent figures in his own right, with the ability to recognize talent, even when others around him weren’t convinced.
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Danny and the Ramones at Arturo Vegas Loft, Danny Fields Archive
Danny Says is years in the making, and takes you through Fields’ long and fascinating journey of being a music industry executive, starting in 1966 and straight into the 1980’s. Toller’s perfectly crafted compilation of interviews, images, illustrations, and footage provides a close look into his life and the ripple effect it had on the music industry. Part of what makes this film so incredibly entertaining are the little details that Fields recounts in having been among such radical people. His sense of humor and talent at storytelling keeps you totally hooked. Pair this with memorable appearances from a selection of awesome individuals such as Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Tommy Ramone, and Bob Gruen, and you have yourself the perfect storm of gritty (and sometimes hilarious) stories you probably haven’t heard before.
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Danny Fields, Iggy Pop, Lisa Robinson, David Bowie, Danny Fields Archive
I’ll leave you with this – Danny Fields is truly a fascinating personality to explore. Brendan Toller and his team capture the essence of his character in Danny Says. So, if you have any interest in music at all, the 1960s/1970s, or New York City, you’ll want to see it (fingers crossed for theatrical release within the year). In the meantime, you can like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and visit their website.
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Danny Fields, Captain America Portrait, photo by Patti Kane, Danny Fields Archive
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