‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ Creator on SXSW Documentary About the Musical’s Legacy and Political Relevance: ‘I Weep For America’
Richard O’Brien, the author and songwriter of the unexpected success, acknowledges that no one anticipated its popularity. As an unemployed actor, he merged his passion for science-fiction, B-movies, and glam rock into a timeless musical sensation. (He portrayed Riff Raff in the movie too.) “No one was aiming for stardom,” he admits. “We were there for amusement. It’s essentially a frivolous piece of nonsense – deliberately so. It’s a reflection of our youth and immaturity.