Musical Documentary at Cinema Arts

"In the history of popular music, there are few characters more controversial than Phil Spector," according to Tom Ryan, host of American Hit Radio on WHPC FM 90.3 and author of American Hit Radio: A History of Popular Singles from 1955 to the Present,  "and there are even less who could claim such a meteoric rise and catastrophic fall."

He and WHPC co-host Heidy Morales Ryan will be at tonight at 7:30 pm for a screening and discussion of  Vikram Jayanti's musical documentary, "The Agony and the Ecstasy of Phil Spector".

"The Agony and the Ecstasy of  Phil Spector" covers both aspects of Spector's career, and we hope that our discussion will put the film's representation of his life and work into perspective.", said Ryan.

In 2003, the renowned song writer and music producer was accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson. He was convicted of the crime in 2009 and is currently serving a sentence of 19 years to live.

The originator of the "Wall of Sound" production technique, Spector produced over 25 Top 40 hits between 1960 and 1965 alone. After this initial success, he later worked with artists including Ike and Tina Turner, John Lennon, George Harrison and the Ramones.

In the film, Janyanti skillfully blends video from the trial, a revealing interview with Spector while he awaited the verdict, and vintage films of recording artists such as the Ronettes, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner.

The film carefully analyzes the psychological meanings of his lyrics and music as evidence of his state of mind which, in turn, are clues to the mystery of what actually happened in his living room the night Lana Clarkson died.

Tickets are $13 or $9 for members and includes discussion and reception in addition to the film.