The Who’s classic 1979 rockumentary “The Kids Are Alright” will make its DVD debut Sept. 30 in a release from Pioneer Entertainment, Billboard reports in its July 26 issue. The title, which comes at a time of heightened consumer interest in classic rock DVDs, will mark the 40th anniversary of the band’s first recording and first performance of a song composed by guitarist Pete Townshend.
“The Kids Are Alright” documents the band members’ musicianship and personality through live performance footage and interviews. The DVD has a newly restored print, with remixed Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS sound.
“The Kids Are Alright” will be available in two DVD versions. The $22.98, single-disc Deluxe Edition features a commentary track, subtitles and on-screen notes. The $29.98, two-disc Special Edition includes the “Won’t Get Filmed Again” bonus disc with new interviews with singer Roger Daltrey and director Jeff Stein, a virtual tour of London, trivia games and a multi-angle performance segment.
Both versions of the DVD contain the restored, original 109-minute version of “The Kids Are Alright” (a previous VHS release was abridged). That process, which was supervised by producer John Albarian, took almost two years to complete. Beatles historian Martin Lewis was also an associate producer for the project.
Stein was a “rabid fan” of the Who as a teenager. As a 17-year-old without any experience as a filmmaker, he approached Townshend with the idea of creating a movie about the band.
“I had a burning desire to share my enthusiasm with others,” Stein recalls. “The Who were fairly adamant about not having their performances memorialized. I think they never felt they wanted to be cemented in a historical document. Basically, I pestered and hounded them.”
MCA, which has rights to the film’s soundtrack, is formulating plans for a possible re-promotion of the title.
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