While the murder of director Rob Reiner and his wife Michele is certainly a tragedy on a human level, it is an artistic devastation as well. As Brad Gilmore’s Houston Press story details, Reiner was a talented and versatile filmmaker, masterminding some of the most beloved films of the past 40 years.
The world of rock and roll owes Reiner a debt of gratitude for giving us the funniest look at the music business ever. Of course we’re talking here about This is Spinal Tap, Reiner’s 1984 directorial debut that introduced the world to Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls. Not to mention Artie Fufkin, Bobbi Flekman and Reiner’s character, documentarian Marty Di Bergi.
The film is hilarious but insightful, not cutting clueless rock stars any slack but lampooning them in a manner that is, at its essence, affectionate. Sure, there’s the Stonehenge debacle, questionable lyrics (“Sex Farm”), the controversy surrounding Smell the Glove (“Well you should have seen the cover they wanted to do. It wasn’t a glove, believe me.”) and the custom Marshall amps (“These go to 11.”). But Spinal Tap treats the characters more like goofy old friends than outright morons, though sometimes it is a delicate balance.
Reiner was always politically active, never afraid to speak his mind and take a stand on the issues of the day. He was courageous, opinionated and articulate. And this earned him a great deal of respect, even from those whose views were diametrically opposed to his. In 1996, when his acting career was at a low point, James Woods was cast by Reiner in his film Ghosts of Mississippi.
“I judge people by how they treat me, and Rob Reiner was a godsend in my life. We got along great, we loved each other. He was always on my side,” Woods said earlier this week on Fox News.
“When people would say to me, ‘What do you think of his politics?’ I would say, ‘I think Rob Reiner is a great patriot.’ Do I agree on many of his ideas on how that patriotism should be enacted, to celebrate the America that we both love? No. He doesn’t agree with me either, but he also respects my patriotism. We had a different path to the same destination, which was a country we both love. Because you disagree with people doesn’t mean that you have to hate people.” Amen.
Ticket Alert
Note: Tickets for all of the following concerts are on sale now.
When the Jayhawks arrived on the scene in the early ‘90s, their first single, “Waiting for the Sun,” sounded like the bastard offspring of Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and middle-period Neil Young. And if you’re going to do some gene splicing, well, that’s a pretty good combination. All these years later, this multifaceted band from Minnesota is still producing quality music, which you can experience on Friday, March 6, at the Heights Theater.
Trying to forge a career in music by following in the footsteps of a famous parent is no easy task. Just ask Julian Lennon. Or Jakob Dylan. Nevertheless, A.J. Croce – the son of Jim Croce – seems to have things figured out. Rather than running from his father’s legacy, Croce the younger incorporates some of the elder Croce’s songs into a concert that also includes his own work, plus some classic roots music that inspired them both. Catch “Croce Plays Croce” at the Bayou Music Center on Sunday, March 22.
Yellowcard, hitmakers from the noughts, will perform on Thursday, June 4, at the 713 Music Hall. Though the band has gone through various hiatuses, breakups, etc. over the past 20 years, Yellowcard regained its form with the release of the album Better Days, whose title track hit number one on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart earlier this year. ‘Cause Knowledge is Power: the band’s name comes from the soccer term for a foul. However, in the case of Yellowcard, the fouls in question were “party fouls,” e.g. spilling beer on carpet or hurling at an ill-timed moment. Which, when you think about it, is maybe worse than “persistent infringement” or “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Concerts This Week
If all the “ho ho ho” is making you want to “go go go,” there are plenty of opportunities to get musically festive this week. Things get started at the Heights Theater on Friday, when homegirl Carolyn Wonderland presents her annual “Home for the Holidays” concert. Wonderland will be joined by Shelley King, Rosie Flores and Kevin Russell (Shinyribs), so it’s bound to be a Houston Christmas hoedown.
If you’re looking for something a bit more traditional, consider Sarah Brightman at the Smart Financial Center on Friday. “A Winter Symphony” promises plenty of Brightman hits mixed with holiday favorites, accompanied by a rock band, a choir and an orchestra. Hardcore fans may be interested in the VIP ticket option, which includes a meet and greet, a laminate with lanyard and a commemorative Christmas ornament.
One the other hand, if you are a fan of hard rock but hold a soft spot for holiday cheer, the Trans-Siberian Orchestra at Toyota Center on Friday might just be up your alley. Imagine if Rush, AC/DC and Mannheim Steamroller joined forces, and you will have a good idea of what a TSO concert holds in store.
Fans of vocal music will be at Toyota Center on Saturday for Pentatonix, the Dallas (technically, Arlington) a cappella quintet. The singers will combine pop harmonies, jazz scat singing and beatboxing (!) for “Christmas in the City,” a concept which probably sounds more foreboding than it actually is.
Looking for something a bit more rustic? Try Robert Earl Keen at the House of Blues on Sunday. Keen’s modestly titled “The Best Christmas on Earth” concert will put you in a festive holiday mood, with any residual sappiness leavened by (if there is a God in Heaven) a rousing performance of “Merry Christmas from the Family.”
And while we’re in that country sort of groove, let’s not forget Bill Kirchen’s “Honky Tonk Holiday Show” on Tuesday at the Mucky Duck. The Titan of the Telecaster will whip out all those great guitar licks that made him a legend when he played with Commander Cody and the Lost Planet Airmen, bringing longnecks, swinging doors and neon signs into the collective Christmas vibe.
This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.
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