The Latest in Dead Rock Star Movies: The Jeff Buckley Story

I was and still are I guess a big fan of Jeff Buckley's music. I read the biopic about the lives of both Tim and Jeff, can't remember the name of the book, wait, google, well it looks like I read Dream
Brother: The Lives & Music of Jeff & Tim Buckley book after all, woops that was very stupid, anyway it was interesting. I got deeply into his music but knew nothing about him, even about his death as it wasn't a big thing here in Australia.

I first heard his music in 1998 on a friends recommendation, all I knew about him was that he died when he was 27 and that he was chopped up in the propellers of a boat while filming a film clip. At the time I was a self-obsessed teenager with depression and his music was perfect for the mood I was in (80's had The Cure, 90's was all Jeff). So years later when I wasn't so self obsessed I found out that he wasn't 27 and that he wasn't filming a film clip when he died I decided to find out about his life. I think there will be a lot of fans and casual listeners of his music out there who don't know about his life and would be interested in finding out his back story without reading a book to do it.

Actually I have changed my mind, really Jeff's story should be about the myth, I remember my feelings while I was reading the book, I was genuinely interested in the story and it was sad, then he overcame adversity and then sad again at the end which might work well for a movie. However through this experience I lost the myth that surrounded my feelings about him and his music.

I'm confused...ask me again tomorrow.

Reply

I agree that so much of why I love his music is part of the mysticism that surronds it. If a movie were made, I would like to see it stay true to that quality, and only enhance the myth, instead of demystifying it.

Reply

Buckley was a very unique guy. The fact that his mother is involved is big. From his post-death cd releases to the dvds, she seems like she wants her son's legacy to be remebered like he was, artistic, beautiful, and original. I think if they are able to capture who he was, it would translate well to the screen and make a great character. He was often torn, confused, vulnerable, and even happy. If done properly, it would be awesome. I don't know anything about Brian Jun, I just hope he's up for the job.

Reply

Jeff Buckley ;well what can one say about such an incredibley talented musician . His voice was the kind that sprung images of Hearts full of Emotion exploding .He could make you cry at the drop of a note. Amazing AMAZING AMAZING its not even enough to put it . I have Jeff's Name on my arm because of the kind of influence he has and had over me musically as well as emotionally.
This is one musician Im glad didnt get overlooked.
Such Greatness deserves a closer look.
Just pick up Grace and play it loud!
He is the reason I started singing in the first place.
An Inspiration to all .

Reply

I can't add much to the discussion of Jeff's music, being wholly unfamiliar with it. But I will say that his father Tim was a rare talent, an exquisite troubador with a sense of language and music that continues to amaze me, even now more than 35 years after I bought my first copy of "Hello Goodbye". I urge all fans of Buckley Minor to have a listen to his father's work.... It's magnificent!

Reply

Sure Jeff was good, but his dad Tim WAS GREAT !
He also made numerous killer albums to Jeff's
single classic. Any attempt at making a film
about Jeff would be better served to make it about
BOTH the talented Buckleys - which would of course
stick more to the story line of the book Dream Brother.

Reply

I have mixed feelings about this. I love Jeff's music more than any other musician and I'd hate to see his legacy weakened by a tawdry flick with someone like Paul Walker cast (I know it won't happen, i'm just being sarcastic) From what I've read of Jeff, he and his mother had a tumultuous relationship and weren't always on the best of terms. So, I look at her involvement with a jaundiced eye. She did give away info to the press about his relationship with Courtney Love, which infuriated Jeff. I'm not going to slam Guibert, I don't know her side, but we all know even mother-son relationships can be thrown aside for a buck.
That said, if a good film was made that accurately represented Jeff and his beautiful spirit and music, i'd be the first in line. Thank God Oliver Stone is not involved. But, somehow, I don't see a film about Jeff. He's better than film and should always just be that haunting whisper and the tear that unseen tear that hangs inside your heart.

Reply

the movie is a bad idea,i know the circumstances of his life and death, though it is tragic, i dont feel like i need to see some actor try to play him,he left the most beautiful music behind and though it is sad that he is not here, i feel like he left behind what he was meant to or destined to, his heart and soul is in the music he left us with.

Reply

Hendrix, Morrison, Cobain and now Buckley! Buckley, who the F**K is Jeff Buckley anyway?

Reply

i dare anyone to not notice musicians with the same last name they have. sadly, i am not a close relative. just a big fan. who cares what his mom used to think. the movie sounds great to me.

Reply

I love Jeff Buckley and my husband loves Tim so our music collection has everything that can be found by these two great musicians. I live in Memphis and in this city there is a very special love and respect for him because of the time that he spent here. We had a film festival here not too long ago that featured "Amazing Grace" - a wonderful documentary about Jeff, his music, and how his artistry has influenced artists in the fields of music, dance and visual arts.

I knew the music, but did not know the man. When you see the documentary you feel like he is talking just to you, and you can tell that the directors put the footage together with a great deal of loving care. Jeff was one-of-a-kind person with energy that was subtle and very powerful. Whoever is cast in the role will have to be a very special performer to bring authenticity and integrity to it. I think that it is possible to do a good film about him, especially with his Mom involved in the project.

Reply

Making this movie is a bad, bad idea. I love J.Buck, I loved the book, but this movie is ridiculous. Those who want to know his story, already know it. I guess I'm just a little overprotective..?

Reply

Who is Jeff Buckley?

Reply

Never heard of Jeff Buckley. I thought the movie would have been about 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott. I would go to THAT movie.

Reply

Who the F**K is Jeff Buckley anyway?

Reply

Jeff and Tim are both very deserving of a film. The way he hit his fans is reason enough, let alone his amazing talent. What he gave to music was real emotion and passion, much more than about 99% of all music ever released. He absolutely joins the pantheon of heavyweights such as Hank Williams, Robert Johnson, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, etc. with his ability to truly bring you into his emotions. And, to top it all off, there is wide speculation (which his controlling mother attempts to cover up) that his drowning was suicidal. He had abandoned his semi-stardom to be a recluse, and, when faced with going back on tour, making a record, dealing with the labels, he suddenly disappeared into a river that was known as dangerous.
My only concern is that his mother IS involved. She is trying to control everything and make him a martyr, and I have a lot of issue with that, as there will surely be a lot of important truths left out.

Reply

Jeff who?

Reply

If this movie is made Mark Wahlberg should play the part.

Reply

I remember being in a little dress shop in Paris when the sales person told me and the 4 other people in the store that Tim Buckley had just died. As if on cue, we all started crying and then someone put on "Pleasant Street" and we all stood there crying and singing. I still listen to Hello Goodbye, but sadly I was never familiar with Jeff's music, but if he's his father's son, I'm sure I missed something great.

Reply

Will Me Good Or BAd

Reply