Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me is a compelling new rock documentary about one of Memphis’ most curious pop music phenomenons.

Never heard of them? Neither had I. But now that I have watched Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (and listened to the soundtrack on Spotify) I can’t get their story or music out of my head!

A trio composed of some of Memphis’ most talented musicians, Big Star never experienced mainstream success. Despite crafting three powerhouse albums (all of which are included on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 albums of all time), the group could not survive the treacherous pop music scene of the 1970s that saw independent labels like Memphis-based STAX devoured and cannibalized by music conglomerates.

Their lack of financial success did not stop their music from influencing blockbuster acts such as the Flaming Lips, Wilco, Beck, and R.E.M., to name a few. And in spite of their cult popularity, sadly, today Big Star is still best known for their tune, “In the Street” which served as the theme song for That ’70s Show, the defunct Fox sitcom. But let’s hope that the Big Star documentary can build awareness in a new generation about their incredible music.

Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me features never-seen-before-footage and photos, as well as in-depth interviews and an awesome musical tribute by some of the bands they inspired. The documentary opens in theaters on Friday, June 19th in San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Nashville and Cambridge, MA.

For information on upcoming screenings of the Big Star documentary, click here.

Share: 

Tags