Ep549: Dave Markey & The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell

Filmmaker Dave Markey discusses his documentary "The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell", the punk scene's most fascinating, mysterious, and surprisingly influential behind-the-scenes figure.

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Topics Include:

• Dave Markey has a large record collection but stopped buying recently.
• Vinyl prices have skyrocketed — once cheap records now cost thousands.
• Dave bought records directly from band members at punk shows.
• Ian MacKaye sold Dave a first press Minor Threat 7".
• Dave bought Minutemen and Descendents EPs from D-Boon for a dollar.
• Dave made the Bill Bartell documentary for people who don't know him.
• Bill Bartell was unknowable — different things to different people.
• Dave tried making this film in the 90s; Bill refused to cooperate.
• The film was made ten years after Bill passed away.
• Bill Bartell faked backstage passes to get into arena rock shows.
• Bill named the Iron Maiden live EP Maiden Japan.
• Bill gave Steve Harris his outfit, worn in the "Run to the Hills" video.
• Bill saw no distinction between the Scorpions, the Germs, and the Beatles.
• Bill would tell artists exactly what he thought — no filter whatsoever.
• Bill told Steve Perry he was responsible for the worst night of his life.
• Bill told Beck "I don't like you" upon their very first meeting.
• Bill tried out as guitarist for Public Image Ltd in 1981.
• Kiss circulated photos of Bill to security: do not let him in.
• Bill befriended Sean Lennon, which led to a friendship with Yoko Ono.
• Bill's 1988 Beatlefest noise performance nearly caused a riot.
• Bill talked Kiss manager Bill Aucoin into discovering Generation X.
• That connection indirectly launched Billy Idol's massive solo career.
• Billy Idol himself didn't know Bill Bartell's role until recently.
• Bill gave Kurt Cobain Os Mutantes tapes, reviving the band's career.
• Pat Smear and Drew Barrymore were sought for the film but unavailable.
• Dave's band Painted Willie did Black Flag's final tour in 1986.
• Dave preferred Painted Willie's early Spinhead Records releases over SST output.
• The Bill Bartell documentary and Love Dolls films are now on Criterion Channel.
• Bill Bartell's Flying V guitar now hangs in the Punk Rock Museum, Las Vegas.
• Bill's money, connections, and secrets largely died with him — still a mystery.

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