ABOUT THE FILM
The film begins in 1950's Los Angeles where Robin Lane, daughter of Dean Martin's accompanist, Ken Lane, was born. Neglected as a child , in and out of trouble, she would later discover the deeper issues that would affect her adult life, but inevitably contribute to her creativity.
Her adolescence was spent in Topanga Canyon in the 1960’s, where bands like the Byrds, the Doors, and Buffalo Springfield ruled the Sunset Strip and where they wrote the soundtrack to the riots and protest movements of the counter culture. Her musical talent was nurtured in this richly creative, but chauvinistic folk/rock revolution. Her peers were impressed with the talents of this “girl” singer, but the peace, love, drugs, and freedom of the age had a downside.
In her 20’s, Robin moved to the east coast and eventually to Boston, where she was seized with the energy and passion of punk rock. She changed her writing style and vocal approach and carefully assembled a band. Asa Brebner and Leroy Radcliff were plucked from Jonathon Richmond's Modern Lovers. She added Scott Baerenwald on bass, and myself on drums. Robin called band The Chartbusters.
In 1979, after considerable local success and national recognition she and the band were signed to Warner Brothers Records. The group had the 11th video played on MTV, did several national tours, and was voted one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 10 New Bands of 1980. Despite their success the band dissolved after 3 years. Soon after, when Robin announced her pregnancy, she was told “Once a woman has a baby in this business, she’s over.” As an artist and now a mother, years of struggle to maintain a musical identity intensified. Eventually, after coming to terms with her own past, her gift for music and melody have found their way to a remarkable series of songwriting workshops.
Robin’s journey, from Hollywood wild child to her success as an influential singer and songwriter, through her conflicts with managers, marriages, and money and finally developing and leading songwriting/healing workshops for abused woman, elders, and teens, engages a remarkable cast of characters and range of issues about abuse, survival, creativity, re-invention, and being female. The film unfolds through interviews, concert and archival footage, news clips, and photographs.
For 40 years, Robin Lane has demonstrated a natural gift for music and melody. Her songs, music, lyrics, and the lyrics of the women with whom she works provide the soundtrack. They offer a range of moods, thoughts, and obsessions. Her successes, failures, determination to create, to sing, to touch other lives are universal experiences.
The film begins in 1950's Los Angeles where Robin Lane, daughter of Dean Martin's accompanist, Ken Lane, was born. Neglected as a child , in and out of trouble, she would later discover the deeper issues that would affect her adult life, but inevitably contribute to her creativity.
Her adolescence was spent in Topanga Canyon in the 1960’s, where bands like the Byrds, the Doors, and Buffalo Springfield ruled the Sunset Strip and where they wrote the soundtrack to the riots and protest movements of the counter culture. Her musical talent was nurtured in this richly creative, but chauvinistic folk/rock revolution. Her peers were impressed with the talents of this “girl” singer, but the peace, love, drugs, and freedom of the age had a downside.
In her 20’s, Robin moved to the east coast and eventually to Boston, where she was seized with the energy and passion of punk rock. She changed her writing style and vocal approach and carefully assembled a band. Asa Brebner and Leroy Radcliff were plucked from Jonathon Richmond's Modern Lovers. She added Scott Baerenwald on bass, and myself on drums. Robin called band The Chartbusters.
In 1979, after considerable local success and national recognition she and the band were signed to Warner Brothers Records. The group had the 11th video played on MTV, did several national tours, and was voted one of Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 10 New Bands of 1980. Despite their success the band dissolved after 3 years. Soon after, when Robin announced her pregnancy, she was told “Once a woman has a baby in this business, she’s over.” As an artist and now a mother, years of struggle to maintain a musical identity intensified. Eventually, after coming to terms with her own past, her gift for music and melody have found their way to a remarkable series of songwriting workshops.
Robin’s journey, from Hollywood wild child to her success as an influential singer and songwriter, through her conflicts with managers, marriages, and money and finally developing and leading songwriting/healing workshops for abused woman, elders, and teens, engages a remarkable cast of characters and range of issues about abuse, survival, creativity, re-invention, and being female. The film unfolds through interviews, concert and archival footage, news clips, and photographs.
For 40 years, Robin Lane has demonstrated a natural gift for music and melody. Her songs, music, lyrics, and the lyrics of the women with whom she works provide the soundtrack. They offer a range of moods, thoughts, and obsessions. Her successes, failures, determination to create, to sing, to touch other lives are universal experiences.
Tim Jackson - Director
