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MICHAEL DES BARRES: WHO DO YOU WANT ME TO BE? (2015)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

Many rock and roll legends had lives mired in drugs, some tragically. Too much hedonism may not be a good thing when you try to forge a path of responsibility towards a normal family life. That is the case of Michael Des Barres in the stunningly vivid, fast-paced and strictly focused documentary, "Michael Des Barres: Who Do You Want Me to Be?" It is focused on Michael Des Barres through the five decades of being a movie actor and a formerly glam rock musician and all the hedonism he could handle until one day he said, enough was enough. Forget those R.A.D PSA's from the 1980's - this documentary should do the trick in how to survive the hurdles of rock and roll. 

Many friends and acquaintances are interviewed here discussing Des Barres' life, including Des Barres himself. I'd almost say that Des Barres is sufficient enough in telling his own story because he is a completely watchable, freakin' amazing presence (Don't believe me? Check him out in one shot of David Lynch's  "Mulholland Dr." for proof - he looks like a rock star dressed with a leather jacket and has no lines). Still it does help to hear validation for Des Barres' wild tales from an odd assortment of celebrities of all walks of life including Steve Jones (The Sex Pistols); actors Gabriel Byrne and Don Johnson (who let Michael stay in his home during financially strapped times); John Taylor (Duran Duran); film director Allison Anders (who directed him in "Sugar Town"); Ed Begley Jr.; Michael's first wife, actress Wendy Hamilton, and lastly Michael's second wife (ex-rock and roll groupie, actress, musician and author) Pamela Des Barres.

Michael's life ranges from being an actor in films like "To Sir, With Love" and hundreds of TV shows such as "Miami Vice," to his actual goal of being a famous rock and roll star as a lead vocalist. He fronted bands such as Silverhead (his first band), Detective, the Power Station and opened for many acts including KISS, Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Nazareth, among others. He was relentless in his pursuit of sexual conquests, even while married (gee, not many rock stars sexually restrained themselves in the 60's and 70s.) Eventually he literally set his sights on the rock and roll groupie Pamela Des Barres (one of the direct influences for the character Penny Lane in Cameron Crowe's film "Almost Famous"). Despite settling down with Pamela, he still pursued his sexual and drug addiction until he finally went cold turkey in 1981. Though the marriage did not last forever, they sired a son named Nick and, in one touching memory, the son had touched the screen when Michael performed at Live Aid (replacing Robert Palmer). 

I have seen quite a few rock documentaries over the years but none have hooked me into the power of rock itself, the indulgence of performing with an unremitting fiery passion, like seeing Michael Des Barres. Unintentionally or not, his hedonism seems to include the very act of performing as an undying love - an artist's need to create and share it with the world. That in itself is gratifying to witness and it is self -evident in his performance of "Sixteen and Savaged" which he sang for Silverhead. Director J. Elvis Weinstein lets Michael Des Barres be as honest as he wishes with his life, various anecdotes and some tidbits of backroom shenanigans (one involves the Rolling Stones, but many more deal with his cocaine addiction and alcohol). Also fascinating are his nobility roots - Michael is the 26th Marquis Des Barres! How often do you hear such info in a rock and roll doco about anyone?  

"Who Do You Want Me to Be?" is a captivating, thrilling biography of a man who came very close to mainstream success. From his grueling boarding school days and absent parents (father was in jail, the mother was "bonkers") to the several chances at fame and fortune he somehow missed, to the several TV and movie credits he amassed, the film never fails to keep our interest in this charismatic man (I am sure there are plenty other stories he hasn't told). A few of his friends feel Michael Des Barres missed his chance to match the glam rock power of David Bowie, or the suaveness of a Brit actor like Terence Stamp. Nope, Michael was just moving on to the next thing.