Synopsis:  “Had these Boston bad boys stuck it out beyond their 1966 debut, we might today be calling them – and not the Stones – the World’s Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Band.  As it is, The Remains most certainly are America’s greatest lost band.” – Mark Kemp, June 2007 Paste Magazine. 

The Remains appeared on Ed Sullivan, opened for the Beatles, and then broke up just on the brink of fame.  America’s Lost Band is a documentary of The Remains’ return to Los Angeles for the first time in 40 years – since opening for the Beatles – a film that follows a group of 60-year old musicians back together pursuing their passion.  It’s the story of what happens when a band reaches the cusp of rock greatness, but doesn’t make it over the final hurdle – and what happens when they put the past aside to renew the pursuit for greatness. 

Review:  The Remains were an up and coming band out of Boston that was thought by many to be the “next big thing.”  They packed clubs in and around Boston, recorded an album for Epic Records, had a few regional hits, appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show and on NBC’s Hullabaloo, and were asked to open for the Beatles during their 1966 U.S. tour.  It was heady stuff for the four former Boston University students.  But when their album was released following the Beatles tour, the band was no more.  They had broken up and gone their separate ways. 

America’s Lost Band was made with a small budget and most of the movie was filmed over just two days.  This was not a big budget shoot.  It was a labor of love for producer Fred Cantor and director Michael Stitch.  Even though money was at a premium, the film does not feel cheap.  The first part of the film focuses on the band’s rather incredible history.  The second part includes a live reunion show the band did in Los Angeles in 2007. 

I was amazed at how little bitterness exists between the band members.  Even their breakup wasn’t the result of infighting.  They just felt that the band had run its course.  In fact, America’s Lost Band is a testament to the true affection each of the band members has for the others despite the years and the miles that have separated them. 

America’s Lost Band is an enjoyable film and an excellent history of a band you may never have heard of, but who nonetheless helped shape rock and roll.

 (4.0 out of 5.0)

Film Website: http://theremains.com/documentary/

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