If nothing went right for Big Star during their formative years in the early-mid ‘70s (bad distribution, zero management, internal creative strife), in terms of their legacy, it’s all come out golden in the end. As evidenced in the moving, sad and celebratory documentary Nothing Can Hurt Me (VOD / limited release July 3rd), the band has touched many diverse lives, personally and professionally. The passion project of Danielle McCarthy and co-directors Drew Denicola and Olivia Mori, Nothing Can Hurt Me traces the history of one of the first bands that mattered, even if no one outside of critics heard them at the time. Lone surviving member Jody Stephens (drums) is fondly enjoying his red carpet moment, and it couldn’t be happening to a nicer guy.
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Aquarium Drunkard: What’s your reaction to Nothing Can Hurt Me? Is it emotionally draining, or like revisiting old friends?
Jody Stephens: It is like visiting old friends. There are certainly really sad moments, because Carole Manning is there and she’s passed away. Jim Dickinson’s no longer here. Alex {Chilton} and Andy {Hummel} are gone. That’s really the tragedy of Big Star, that Chris {Bell}, Alex and Andy are gone. Alex and Andy went fairly close together. Outside of that, it’s nothing but a great story for me. It’s cool that all these people cared and participated. Danielle McCarthy had the idea and the passion to pursue it. Everyone involved did a great job with it. It took a long time. It was six years in the making, so you have to have that passion. It’s cool that people care.
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