King Rocker

It's amazing to watch Stewart Lee build a riveting viewing experience from scratch. First he has chosen a wonderful subject in Robert Lloyd, the unusual rock star, virtually undiscovered in Birmingham and London. Stewart has been reading books about to make a film work because for some reason he has added a giant statue of a monkey that used to be erected in Birmingham for less than a year when Stewart and Robert were kids. When Stewart and Michael lack footage of some of Roberts stories, the monkey is rendered as a cartoon and acts the story out. I mean, what is the monkey doing in the film and how does it succeed in pulling the film together? Should use the word, genius?

Robert Lloyd seems a good bloke. Drinks a lot and seems to have a good time in general. Plenty of friends and a nice son. When you listen to the Nightingales songs as available on Spotify and Deezer, you are very glad you have finally been introduced to them.

I think the best bit for me was watching the clip of the Nightingales, Fuzzbox and Ted Chipppington on TV. That is pop as God meant it.

Great film. Very entertaining, gripping and interesting.

An investigation into the mysterious existence and five decades-long career of The Nightingales' lead Robert Lloyd, Britain's ultimate post-punk survivor.

Stewart Lee is obviously enamoured with Robert Lloyd and his legacy, which makes the documentary self-indulgent (nothing new for Lee) but also infectiously fascinating. They just play a great double act, Lloyd insisting that everything just happens and that's how it's gone, and Lee constantly overthinking and finding profounc significance in banal historical moments.

It's fun, fascinating, well-assembled and the music is great. Loved it.

8.5/10.

Warm, bit rough around the edges, p*ss-taking, just like that band it's about. A proper documentary that weaves facts, half-truths and a bit of welcome over-reaching of ideas

I've heard Stewart Lee (and Michael Cummings on one) on a round of podcasts promoting this so am well versed on the challenges they had in funding to get this made - as well as it being impossible to distribute in a Covid world.

Furthermore challenges around available footage plus the amused frustration created by finding out elements of story that Lloyd either forgot or hadn't bothered to tell them - with the difficulty on having the opportunity to include these. His friendship with The Ramones is an example of this, albeit they managed to pull off getting this included via Danny Saltzman.

What they have managed to cobble together is a charming ride through the life and career of a real outlier. Lee's relationship with Lloyd is truly one of warmth and really helps the engagement throughout.

So listen to the band!

This documentary was bloody wonderful. We were aware of The Nightingales but discovering the story of such a fantastic human staying true to his art made us talk about how we judge success in our own lives. If you do what you want to do, you are successful, and to navigate this world and still be a funny, creative and a warm human you have succeeded. The thread running through of the journey of the giant King Kong sculpture from Bull Ring to car lot to Art Gallery was perfect, Robert Lloyd is a real artist in a world of surface tripe. My youth, going to gigs and working in record shops, spent in part, in the midlands, was brought back to life through their journey and I feel pretty privileged to have lived through that time. Thanks for making a real treasure of a film and for reframing that period & Robert with the love and reverence it deserves.