Sat Dec 27 09:10:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Milwaukee Tribute Act’s Story Lights Up Hollywood in “Song Sung Blue”

Milwaukee, WI – The story of local Neil Diamond tribute act Lightning & Thunder, a husband-and-wife duo that graced Wisconsin stages for years, is hitting the big screen this Christmas Day in the new biopic, “Song Sung Blue.” Starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson, the film tells the true story of Mike and Claire Sardina, who performed as Lightning & Thunder from 1989 to 2006, becoming local favorites at bars, festivals, and the Wisconsin State Fair, where they even wed.

Lightning & Thunder gained notoriety for their performances of Neil Diamond hits, as well as songs by artists like Patsy Cline and ABBA. A highlight of their career came in 1995 when they joined Pearl Jam at Summerfest, with Eddie Vedder even joining the duo to sing Neil Diamond’s “Forever in Blue Jeans.”

But the film, directed by Craig Brewer, isn’t just about the music. It delves into the real-life struggles the couple faced. Mike, a Vietnam War veteran, battled addiction, while Claire endured a traumatic accident in 1999 that resulted in the amputation of her left leg. Despite these challenges, they persevered and returned to the stage.

“Song Sung Blue” was inspired by a 2008 documentary of the same name by Greg Kohs, who captured Lightning & Thunder’s performances after discovering them at a Wisconsin State Fair event. Brewer saw the documentary in 2009 and was moved to bring their story to a wider audience.

Claire, now spending her winters in Arizona, continues to perform. She recently shared the stage with Jackman and Hudson at after-parties following the Milwaukee and New York premieres of “Song Sung Blue.” The Wisconsin Area Music Industry gave Lightning & Thunder its inaugural WAMI Lifetime Achievement Award in May 2023.

The film also features portrayals of other Milwaukee figures who were part of Lightning & Thunder’s story, including promoters Tom D’Amato and Mike’s dentist Dave Watson, played by Jim Belushi and Fisher Stevens, respectively, plus the famous Milwaukee soul band The Esquires. The late Milwaukee music figure Mark Shurilla, a friend and collaborator of the Sardinas, is played by Sopranos star Michael Imperioli.

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