‘Don’t Turn Your Back on Friday Night’ Unpacks the Rock ’n’ Roll Life of Ike Reilly

The documentary spends a lot of time in the artist’s birthplace, Libertyville, Illinois, and focuses on rock ’n’ roll realities like paying the bills. Reilly has supported himself by lawn-mowing, grave-digging, and door-manning.

Jeff Mateer
Ike Reilly. Jeff Mateer

When news arrived in my email box that “Don’t Turn Your Back on Friday Night,” a documentary about an Illinois-based singer-and-songwriter, Ike Reilly, was set to be released at the end of August, I burrowed into my closet and started unpacking the boxes of albums and CDs. Burdensome, they are, and essential. There are some reliquaries that Marie Condo and her deaccessioning ways will never have a purchase on.

Have an account? Log In

To continue reading, please select:

Limited Access

Enter your email to read for FREE

Get 1 FREE article

Continue with
or
Unlimited Access

Join the Sun for a PENNY A DAY

$0.01/day for 60 days

Cancel anytime

100% ad free experience

Unlimited article and commenting access

Full annual dues ($120) billed after 60 days

By continuing you agree to our
Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
Advertisement
The New York Sun

© 2025 The New York Sun Company, LLC. All rights reserved.

Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The material on this site is protected by copyright law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used.

The New York Sun

Sign in or  Create a free account

or
By continuing you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use