Bill Bartell was a Punk Rock Zelig intertwined in the lives of some of Rock N Roll's Greatest Bands. This is his never-before-told story.

Bill Bartell is not famous, but those who knew him think he should be.


Bill was a musician, band manager, record label owner, police officer, rodeo bull rider, an attention-seeking recluse, and the ultimate fan-boy. He led an exceedingly compartmentalized life, keeping a tight lid on his background, his occupations, relationships and sexuality, hiding the jarring conflicts from everyone. The whole of his life was an enigma and maintaining it took a toll.



From forming his band White Flag in the early 1980's to starting his own record company (Gasatanka Records), Bill was relentless. His ability to side up to his idols (from original LA Punk Scene to arena Metal) was astonishing, as was his indelible influence on his heroes. Friend and sometime band-mate to Sean Lennon, Pat Smear, Kurt Cobain, Thurston Moore, KISS, Iron Maiden, Ronnie Barnett, Jeff and Steve McDonald, Drew Barrymore, The Melvins, Shonen Knife, Brian Wilson, Quentin Tarantino and countless others, Bill was the conduit through which many relationships were established and successful careers launched.


It was Bill that introduced Billy Idol to Kiss' manager Bill Aucoin who fostered Billy's solo career. In 1981, Bill's friend Steve Harris asked what his band, Iron Maiden, should name their new ep, a live recording from their Japanese tour. 'Maiden Japan,' Bill replied. Harris pronounced him a genius and the band went with Bill's suggestion.


Through extensive archival footage and interviews, Bill's friends and collaborators compare notes on what they knew and what Bill kept hidden from them, ruminating on the causes of his secrecy. This film unravels, reveals and ultimately, deepens the mystery of who Bill was and what secrets he took with him when his life came to a sad and unexpected close. The Secret Lives of Bill Bartell is the story of the Punk Rock Zelig from the director of 1991: The Year Punk Broke

Media

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Bonus Materials

• 46 Minutes of Deleted Scenes and Bonus Footage
• Q & A from Slamdance 2025 (15 minutes)
• Trailer

 

Cast & Crew

Actors:

•       Don Bolles
•       Dez Cadena
•       Dale Crover
•       Thurston Moore
•       Allison Anders
•       El Vez
•       Fat Mike
•       Victor Krummenacher
•       Jeff McDonald
•       Steve McDonald
•       Buzz Osborne
•       Bill Bartell

Director: David Markey

Additional Details

Label: We Got Power Films

Genre: Documentary

Language: English

Run Time: 101 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 02/10/26

UPC: 760137197959