The documentary “Sid Bernstein Presents…”, directed by Jason Ressler and Evan Strome, is an exploration of the complexity of the American dream through the life of one of the most important figures in modern music history, Sid Bernstein. It will seek to understand how a poor, adopted kid from Harlem came to be one of the most influential men in the music business and how the same skills that created many of his successes also led to difficulties and failures.
Sid Bernstein has paved a unique path in the music industry and has maintained a long career by taking risks that others would not. He is known for his extraordinary instincts and unparalleled kindness. Mr. Bernstein’s dreams have often become a reality, whether it was the creation of the Atlantic City Jazz Festival or bringing the first twelve bands of the British Invasion to America. Other times they remained unrealized fantasies which led to hard times.
The film's most prominent interviews include a diverse array of stars such as James Brown, Lenny Kravitz, Shirley MacLaine, Steven Van Zandt, The Moody Blues, Paul Anka, Dick Clark, The Rascals, Jerry Vale, Phoebe Snow, The Animals, Herman's Hermits, comedians Red Buttons and Pat Cooper, music titans Ahmet Ertegun, Bruce Lundvall, Woodstock Promoter Michael Lang and more. It also contains the last filmed interview with late Latin great Tito Puente and has a great deal of footage that is rare or has never been seen by the public.
Sid's achievements include promoting early Latin Stars and bringing Ray Charles and James Brown into mainstream (non-exclusively black) venues. His desire to cross racial lines led him to be the first white promoter at the Apollo Theater. He was the first promoter to bring Rock & Roll to Carnegie Hall (Beatles) and to Madison Square Garden (James Brown). Importantly, he was the first promoter to do an outdoor stadium concert in America with the Beatles at Shea.
Sid brought the first bands of the British invasion to America which included the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Moody Blues, The Animals, The Kinks, Herman's Hermits, Dave Clark Five, Manfred Mann and Gerry and the Pacemakers. Among the groups he managed were The Rascals, Melba Moore, Laura Branigan and Phoebe Snow. He introduced ABBA to America...the list goes on and on.
The first time we sat together with Sid Bernstein, it was on plastic lawn chairs in the living room of his humble two bedroom apartment in Manhattan. During this time, we had our first shock when we found out his landlord was trying to evict him and his wife, Gerry. Having just listened to him recant amazing tales about his experiences promoting and managing musicians ranging from the greats of Latin, Jazz, Blues, Lounge Acts, Rock n’ Roll and just about every genre, we were very surprised and interested in their situation. We realized very quickly that there was something very unique in Mr. Bernstein’s character: a strange mix of greatness, kindness, stubbornness and a clear ability to sacrifice for the things he believed in.
At that time, we were also very unhappy with many aspects of the American Cinema. In terms of documentary film, we felt it was stale and uninspired. What little creativity there was focused mostly on what could be done with new technology. While we appreciated the many opportunities recent technological advances had allowed, we did not believe they should overwhelm, but rather supplement, the many great achievements documentary and narrative cinema had already developed to tell stories.
We set out to do something very different.
It had been a while since Sid had experienced any success and his ego was at a low point. He wasn’t receptive to the idea of our making a portrait on his life, nor did be believe that anyone would be interested in being interviewed for the project. We spent time trying to convince him, and he spent the same time trying to unconvince us. As we began to secure the agreement of many of the who’s who of the entertainment business to participate, Sid acquiesced. But he had one request: “Don’t make it a puff piece.”
Sid Bernstein is a unique man who deserves more recognition and attention than our film can convey. He changed the world through music and a quiet, gentle form of rebellion. We hope we have honored him.
- Jason Ressler & Evan Strome