Writers Festival 2019 – Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll

Auckland Writers Festival 2019 presents their Weekend Gallery Series including a diverse range of speakers hosting events across Sat 18–Sun 19 May. 

Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll  is the 1987 seminal documentary profiling godfather of rock and roll Chuck Berry. Taylor Hackford directed; Keith Richards was the musical director; Stephanie Bennett produced; and Bruce Springsteen Etta James, Linda Ronstadt, and Robert Cray among others appeared. Producer Bennett now publishes the book Johnny B. Bad, compiling an oral history of the documentary with interviews with over 15 main players, including Helen Mirren, which reveal not just what it took to make the film but provide a close up look of Chuck Berry as never seen before – the sometimes cruel and shocking man behind the mask. Bennett will be introducing an exclusive screening of the film and will sign books at its conclusion. (Film runtime 120 mins)