Gala premiere to celebrate rock ’n’ roll pioneer

A Newcastle cinema is preparing to roll out the red carpet for the North East gala premiere of an acclaimed documentary celebrating rock ’n’ roll pioneer Eddie Cochran.

Tyneside Cinema will host a special screening of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me on September 3, followed by a Q&A featuring director Kirsty Bell, actor Nick Moran, journalist John Gibson and rising star Jack Harris.

Musician and singer-songwriter Harris makes his screen acting debut as Cochran in what is billed as the first fully authorised documentary about the musician’s life and legacy.

Produced by Oscar and BAFTA-winning Goldfinch Entertainment, the film features interviews with stars including Keith Richards, Yungblud, Ronnie Wood, Roger Daltrey, Sting, Rod Stewart, Billy Idol and Suzi Quatro, alongside members of Cochran’s family.

Cochran died aged 21, but his influence has endured, with his songs covered more than 500 times by artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Led Zeppelin.

The documentary has already earned widespread acclaim, with Kirsty Bell named Best Director following its screening at the Raindance Film Festival.

It has also been screened at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, adding to its profile ahead of the Newcastle premiere.

Kirsty said: “It has been the deepest honour to be entrusted by Eddie Cochran’s family to tell his story. 

“His life burned fast and bright, but the ripples of his sound reached across oceans and decades, shaping the very language of rock ‘n’ roll. 

“Don’t Forget Me is not just the title of this film. 

“It is Eddie’s own plea, echoed in autograph books and in the lives he touched. 

“My hope is to bring him vividly back into the world’s consciousness, to remind us not only of what we lost, but of the brilliance he gave.”

The event will also celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation, which has raised millions of pounds for charitable causes over the past decade.

Its support includes Tyneside Cinema’s Talent Unit, which helps nurture emerging filmmaking talent across the North East.

The gala has also received backing from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.

Nic Greenan, chief executive of Tyneside Cinema, added: “We’re delighted to be bringing the Northern Premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don't Forget Me to Tyneside Cinema. 

“This special event celebrates outstanding filmmaking, music and culture, while also marking the tenth anniversary of the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and recognising the support that helps create opportunities for emerging film talent.”

Angie Jenkison, chief executive of the Graham Wylie Foundation, added: “We are honoured that the Northern Premiere of Eddie Cochran: Don’t Forget Me, will be part of Sir Graham Wylie Foundation’s tenth anniversary celebrations.

“Eddie Cochran was a young man with extraordinary talent and passion and that is exactly what we are funding at Tyneside Cinema, a facility that will support young people with talent and passion to find their purpose.”

Ticket Information

Standard admission tickets at £17.50 are available here, together with a limited number of VIP Circle tickets including drinks, canapés and an exclusive meet and greet with cast and crew (£45). You can book VIP tickets here.

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