Rumble - The Indians Who Rocked the World (documentary)

Another cool doc that I've been interested in seeing for a while and that we discovered on the Kanopy streaming service. Named after Link Wray's hit, naturally, the doc discusses the influence of Native Americans in American music - something that should be obvious but is not normally thought of or talked about.

Starting with Link and his immeasurable contribution to rock'n'roll guitar, the film initially goes back in time to the blues and specifically Charlie Patton, who influenced damn near everyone to follow. It is fairly uncanny how similar the melodies that he concocted for his blues mirror Native American melodies and rhythms - again, something that I never really considered before, despite knowing that Patton was part Native.

From there we go through a fairly chronological timeline from jazz/lounge singer Mildred Bailey to Buffy St Marie (who was blacklisted for speaking out about NA issues in the 60's) to Jesse Ed Davis (terrific session musician who worked with damn near everyone) to the Band's Robbie Robertson to Jimi Hendrix to Redbone (their TV appearance on Midnight Special always stuck with me as they opened with a native dance in full regalia) and on through the years. They lose me when they get to hair metal and rap but up until then, it is quite interesting and informative.

Native Americans' contributions to this country in general certainly need to be appreciated and this doc has at least started a conversation about their contribution to our music and culture.