by Meg Ruddick

On October 1, U.K. folk singer Billy Bragg, Mick Jones of the Clash, Wayne Kramer of the MC5, and Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters united on stage in support of Bragg's campaign, Jail Guitar Doors, and the premiere of the documentary, Breaking Rocks.

Named after the Clash song, Jail Guitar Doors is an initiative to put guitars into the hands of prisoners as a means of rehabilitation. Since 2007, Bragg and other musicians have donated guitars to over 20 prisons around the U.K., and they hope to extend their reach to the U.S. soon as well.

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Poster for Breaking Rocks Movie Premiere

 

Billy Bragg ran with the idea after hearing positive feedback from music workshops offered in one Dorset prison. He began to reach out for support from fellow musicians in hopes of beginning similar programs in other institutions.


Jail Guitar Doors recording Session

The film, Breaking Rocks documents the project and features music from the program's famous contributors as well as "graduates" from Jail Guitar Doors. The documentary had its premiere on Thursday in London. After the premiere, Braggs, Jones, Kramer, Shiflett and others took to the stage and performed "Jail Guitar Doors."

Go here to view a full trailer of the film.