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Music documentary

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine (2019): Cast & Ratings

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine (2019) movie poster

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine is a 2019 music documentary directed by Scott Crawford, starring Barry Kramer, Alice Cooper and Joan Jett. It runs 1 hour 15 minutes. Its Echo Score is 83/100.

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Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 15m (75 min)
Director
Scott Crawford
Genres
Music , Documentary
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine About?

The premise of Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine without spoilers.

Explores the seminal music magazine from its 1969 launch in Detroit to the untimely death of its publisher Barry Kramer in 1981.

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • 1960s
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Cast & crew

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Cast

Barry Kramer leads the cast, with Alice Cooper and Joan Jett. Directed by Scott Crawford; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine

· 14 more
From the director

More from Scott Crawford

More films directed by Scott Crawford, best-rated first: Salad Days, Creem: America's Only Rock 'n' Roll Magazine, Something Better Change and Salad Days: A Decade of Punk in Washington, DC (1980-90).

Full filmography
Ratings

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in rewatch factor (92) and weakest in sensory experience (70).

83 /100

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Echo Score Breakdown

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine delivers a spirited portrait of the seminal music publication, combining extensive archival footage with contemporary interviews to highlight its cultural impact. The film balances nostalgic anecdotes with measured pacing, allowing the magazine’s eccentric staff and landmark stories to shine. While the visual style occasionally reflects its era, the documentary’s insight into rock journalism and its lively tone render it both engaging and informative. Overall, it stands as a compelling tribute that rewards viewers familiar with music history.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, the documentary employs a collage of period footage, interview shots, and archival graphics that evoke the magazine’s raw aesthetic. Editing weaves these elements into a coherent narrative, though occasional reliance on grainy clips underscores its vintage feel. The cinematography remains functional, emphasizing content over visual flair, resulting in a competent but unremarkable technical presentation.

  • Character & Emotion 88

    When evaluating character and emotion, the film foregrounds the personalities of Creem’s writers and editors, capturing their quirky humor and passionate advocacy for rock culture. Interviews reveal nuanced perspectives that convey both camaraderie and rivalry, adding emotional depth. This focus on individual voices fosters audience connection, making the documentary’s human element its most resonant strength.

  • Story & Flow 82

    Regarding story and flow, the documentary presents a chronological arc that traces Creem’s rise, influence, and eventual decline, maintaining measured pacing throughout. Original archival interviews intersperse with contemporary commentary, preserving narrative coherence while highlighting the magazine’s cultural relevance. Though the structure is conventional, its thoroughness and clear focus sustain viewer engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    In terms of sensory experience, the soundtrack blends period rock tracks with subtle underscoring, reinforcing the documentary’s nostalgic tone. Sound design balances interview audio with ambient venue recordings, though occasional mixing inconsistencies detract slightly from clarity. Visually, the film’s color grading mirrors the gritty print aesthetic, providing cohesion without sacrificing readability.

  • Rewatch Factor 92

    The rewatch factor is strong, as the documentary’s rich repository of interviews and rare footage offers new insights upon subsequent viewings. Its layered anecdotes about editorial battles and music milestones reward attentive audiences, while the nostalgic ambiance encourages repeat engagement. Consequently, the film maintains lasting appeal for both rock aficionados and documentary enthusiasts.

Videos

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine.

Creem: America's Only Rock 'N' Roll Magazine | Official Trailer
Details

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine Also Known As

Also known as “Boy Howdy: The Story of Creem Magazine”.

Also known as
  • Boy Howdy: The Story of Creem Magazine

Seen Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine?

FAQ

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine FAQ: Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine?

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine runs 1 hour 15 minutes (75 minutes).

When was Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine released?

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine was released on March 14, 2019.

Who directed Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine?

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine was directed by Scott Crawford.

More films by Scott Crawford

Who is in the cast of Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine?

Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine stars Barry Kramer, Alice Cooper and Joan Jett, among 18 credited actors.

Does Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine have a post-credit scene?

No. Creem: America’s Only Rock ’n’ Roll Magazine has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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