New Release: Derailroaded Inside the Mind of Larry "Wild Man" Fischer DVD

MVD Entertainment issued the documentary Derailroaded: Inside the Mind of Larry “Wild Man” Fischer on DVD on Jan. 25, 2011. Billed by the distributor as “a shocking and sensitive 86-minute journey through the thunderstorms of the mind of paranoid-schizophrenic cult music icon Larry ‘Wild Man’ Fischer and his discordant encounters in the music business,” the unrated 2005 film carries a list price of $16.95.

Institutionalized at 16 after attacking his mother with a knife, Fischer wandered the mean streets of Los Angeles singing his unique brand of songs for 10¢ to passersby. Discovered by Frank Zappa (The Freak Out List), with whom he cut his first record album, Fischer became an underground club and concert favorite, earning him the title of “godfather of outsider music.” Over the course of 40 years, he appeared on national television (Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-in) and the Top 50 music charts in England, was the subject of his own comic book and was the first artist to be recorded on Rhino Records.

Derailroaded features extensive archival footage from Fischer’s early days, including his TV and club performances, and traces his life from neglected child to tortured genius. Filmmaker Josh Rubin visits Fischer at home, follows him on the streets and speaks with those who over the years witnessed — and survived — the musician’s erratic behavior: his family, his doctor and industry professionals (including Frank and Gail Zappa, Weird Al Yankovic, Devo’s Mark Mothersbaugh, Solomon Burke, Dr. Demento and Billy Mumy).

No special features are on this DVD.

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