Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
I have heard of Doc Pomus many times before, but never delved into the man or his legacy. Now there’s a film that will reveal a lot of what I need to know.
Paralyzed with polio as a child, Brooklyn-born Jerome Felder reinvented himself first as a blues singer, renaming himself Doc Pomus, then emerged as one of the most brilliant songwriters of the early rock and roll era, writing “Save the Last Dance for Me,” “This Magic Moment,” “A Teenager in Love,” “Viva Las Vegas,” and dozens of other hits.
For most of his life Doc was confined to crutches and a wheelchair, but he lived more during his sixty-five years than others could experience in several lifetimes. AKA Doc Pomus brings to life Doc’s joyous, romantic, heartbreaking and eventful journey. In his later years, Doc was a mentor to generations of younger songwriters, and a fierce advocate for downtrodden rhythm n blues musicians. He wrote a thousand songs – including some of the most recorded songs in the history of popular music – but his most lasting gift may have been his uniquely generous spirit.
“If the music industry had a heart,” the record producer Jerry Wexler remembered, “it would be Doc Pomus.” Packed with incomparable music and rare archival imagery, AKA Doc Pomus features interviews with Doc’s collaborators and friends, including Dr. John, Ben E. King, Joan Osborne, Shawn Colvin, Dion, Leiber and Stoller, and B.B. King. Passages from Doc’s private journals are read by a close friend, the recently departed Lou Reed. The 2012 movie, now available on DVD, was directed by William Hechter and Peter Miller.
From all reports, Doc Pomus’ gripping life story makes for a powerful and lively film that introduces this unique American character to a new, much wider circle of admirers.
Here’s a trailer to the movie.
The Music Featuring In The Film
“(Wake Up) Miss Rip Van Winkle”
Performed by the Tibbs Brothers with Doc Pomus
“Can’t Get Used To Losing You”
Performed by The Aftershades
Performed by Andy Williams
Performed by Kenny Hirsch
“This Magic Moment”
Performed by The Drifters
Performed by Jay and the Americans
Performed by Lou Reed
“A Teenager In Love”
Performed by Dion and the Belmonts
Performed by Craig Douglas
Performed by Marty Wilde
“Lonely Avenue”
Performed by Ray Charles
Performed by Doc Pomus
Performed by David “Fathead” Newman
Performed by Booker T. and the M.G.s
“Save The Last Dance For Me”
Performed by The Drifters
Performed by The Vitamin String Quartet
Performed by Harry Nilsson
“The Basement Blues”
Performed by Noble Sissle and his Orchestra
“Echoes of Harlem”
Performed by Cootie Williams
“There’s A House In Harlem For Sale”
Performed by Henry “Red” Allen
“Piney Brown Blues”
Performed by Joe Turner and his Fly Cats
“Parallel Fifths”
Performed by Frankie Newton
“Jelly Jelly”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Send For The Doctor”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Here Comes The Blues”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Give It Up”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Jumpin’ With Symphony Sid”
Performed by Charlie Parker
“Alley Alley Blues”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Heartlessly”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“I’ve Got That Feeling”
Performed by Lil Green
“Boogie Woogie Country Girl”
Performed by Joe Turner
Performed by Bob Dylan
“Chains of Love”
Performed by Joe Turner
“I Don’t Know You”
Performed by Annie Ross & the Low Note Quintet
“When Main Street Becomes Park Avenue”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“No One”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“The Water Music Suite in F Major”
Arranged & Performed by Sue Mitchell-Wallace & John Head
“Jewish Waltz”
Performed by Dave Tarras
with the Murray Lehrer Ensemble
“Young Blood”
Performed by The Coasters
“Go Jimmy Go”
Performed by Jimmy Clanton
“You Better Believe It”
Performed by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
“Get It Out Your Mind”
Performed by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
“Hushabye”
Performed by The Beach Boys
“It’s Great To Be Young And In Love”
Performed by Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman
“A Mess of Blues”
Performed by Elvis Presley
“Another Country, Another World”
Performed by The Crystals
“Up On The Roof”
Performed by The Drifters
“Ecstasy”
Performed by Ben E. King
“Young Boy Blues”
Performed by Ben E. King
“I Count The Tears”
Performed by The Drifters
“Sweets For My Sweet”
Performed by The Drifters
Performed by Joan Osborne
“Little Sister”
Performed by Joe Hojnacki
Performed by Elvis Presley
“Girl Happy”
Performed by Elvis Presley
“Suspicion”
Performed by Elvis Presley
“Aloha Malihini”
Written and Performed by Nawahi Parauchi
“Viva Las Vegas”
Performed by Elvis Presley
Performed by The Dead Kennedys
Performed by Bruce Springsteen
Performed by Shawn Colvin
Performed by Z.Z. Top
“Wrong For Each Other”
Performed by Andy Williams
“Troubled Mind”
Performed by Dion
“Say Those Magic Words”
Performed by The McCoys
“The World Of Broken Hearts”
Performed by Amen Corner
“Hello Stranger”
Performed by Walter “Wolfman” Washington
“(There Is Always) One More Time”
Performed by Ray Charles
“I Feel That I’ve Known You Forever”
Performed by Elvis Presley
“Gris Gris”
Performed by Dr John
“Be You”
Performed by Dr. John
“Imitation of Love”
Performed by Dr. John
“The Next Heart You Break May Be Your Own”
Performed by Shawn Colvin
“Just To Walk That Little Girl Home”
Performed by Mink DeVille
“Don’t You Cry”
Performed by Joe Turner
“I Need Someone To Lean On”
Performed by Jimmy Scott
“There Must Be a Better World Somewhere”
Performed by B.B. King
Performed by Jimmy Scott
“Big Mac”
Performed by Dr. John
“Bye Bye Baby”
Performed by Doc Pomus
“Turn Me Loose”
Performed by Dion
“My Buddy”
Performed by Dr. John
“Someone To Watch Over Me”
Performed by Jimmy Scott
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
Read about the documentary on the full life of Doc Pomus
