Jack Black’s efforts to get a particular song intoSchool of Rockhelped solidify its soundtrack as one of the best ever made. In the film, Black plays Dewey Finn, a struggling musician who takes a job as a substitute teacher and turns the school’s band into a rock band.School of Rockhas a lasting legacyand is an unexpectedly heartwarming story, as the children grow in confidence. The movie has held up so well thatJack Black wants to makeSchool of Rock 2, which would certainly feature a rock soundtrack.
Jack Black is also a musician, so he understands why many bands want to have some control over where their songs are used. One of the greatest rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin, is famously picky over where their songs are played, and Black went to great lengths to persuade Led Zeppelin to let him use one of their most famous songs: “Immigrant Song.” Led Zeppelin had originally denied Richard Linklater permission to use “Immigrant Song,” but changed their minds after Jack Black’s pitch.
School Of Rock Features Many Rock Bands (But Not Jack Black’s Band)
TheSchool of Rockdirector, Richard Linklater, really wanted to use “Immigrant Song” in the movie, but both he and Jack Black knew that this was not likely to be easy. In a bonus featurette forSchool of Rock, Black explained that Linklater had suggested he “beg them,” and that is exactly what happened. Black dressed in his modified school uniform costume and gathered 1000 extras, then got on his knees and filmed a pitch. Black begged Led Zeppelin, “Lords of Rock, Led Zeppelin, grace us with your mighty love,” which worked. “Immigrant Song” is one ofthe best songs inSchool of Rock.
There are a staggering number of references to bands throughoutSchool of Rock. Dewey’s bedroom shows merchandise for musicians like The Ramones, Ozzy Osbourne, and AC/DC. He references Blondie and Black Sabbath when teaching, and his board features an enormous diagram showing the history of rock. However, thoughJack Black formed the band Tenacious Dwith his friend Kyle Gass, and has been playing since the early 1990s,Tenacious D is not inSchool of Rock. This could be an attempt to avoid having such an obvious reference distracting viewers from the main story.
School Of Rock Used Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song In A Key Scene
Jack Black’s Pitch To Led Zeppelin Made The Movie Even Better
Most of Dewey’s class welcomes his unconventional teaching methods, but Summer is unsure. The scene featuring “Immigrant Song” is one of thefunniest moments inSchool of Rock, and is a turning point for both Dewey and Summer. Summer helps Dewey get the school’s band accepted into Battle of the Bands by pretending they are all terminally ill, and when Dewey awards Summer “an A-plus and 50 gold stars,” she responds “I didn’t do it for the grade.“This is a key scene inSchool of Rockbecause it is probably the first time Summer has stopped thinking about being graded, and Dewey has finally gained her trust.
10 Best School Of Rock Quotes
From Dewey’s ramblings on being hungover to teaching the children advanced scientific theories, these are the best quotes from School of Rock.
ThroughoutSchool of Rock,Jack Black’s character proves that he is willing to do anything for rock music, including stepping back and allowing Zack to take center stage, as he is a better musician. The fact that Black was willing to get on his knees and publicly beg Led Zeppelin to use “Immigrant Song” shows that Black has the same passion for rock music as Dewey. Both the movie and the behind-the-scenes story reflect this commitment to rock andifSchool of Rock 2is made, it must keep the spirit (and the legendary soundtrack) ofSchool of Rock.
