Jack Black’s efforts to include a specific song School of Rock helped 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 his school band into a rock band. School of Rock has a lasting legacy and is an unexpectedly moving story as the children’s confidence grows. The film did so well that Jack Black wants to make it School of Rock 2which 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 music is used. One of the greatest rock bands of all time, Led Zeppelin, is notoriously picky about where its 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 originally denied Richard Linklater permission to use “Immigrant Song”, but changed their minds after Jack Black’s proposal.
Jack Black had to publicly beg Led Zeppelin to let him use the song
School Of Rock features many rock bands (but not Jack Black’s band)
THE School of Rock the director, Richard Linklater, really wanted to use “Immigrant Song” in the filmbut both he and Jack Black knew that this probably wouldn’t be easy. In a bonus featurette for School of RockBlack explained that Linklater suggested he “beg them“, and that’s exactly what happened. Black donned his modified school uniform and gathered 1000 extras, then got down on one knee and filmed a performance. Black begged Led Zeppelin: “Lords of Rock, Led Zeppelin, thank us with your mighty love,” that worked. “Immigrant Song” is one of the best songs on School of Rock.
There are an impressive number of references to bands throughout School of Rock. Dewey’s room displays merchandise from musicians like the Ramones, Ozzy Osbourne and AC/DC. He references Blondie and Black Sabbath when teaching, and his board features a huge diagram showing the history of rock. However, although Jack Black formed the band Tenacious D with his friend Kyle Gass and has been playing since the early 1990s, Tenaz D is not in School of Rock. This could be an attempt to prevent such an obvious reference from distracting viewers from the main story.
School Of Rock Used Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Music In An Important Scene
Jack Black’s proposal to Led Zeppelin made the film even better
Most of Dewey’s class appreciate his unconventional teaching methods, but Summer isn’t sure. The scene with “Immigrant Song” is one of the funniest moments in the movie. School of Rockand it’s a turning point for both Dewey and Summer. Summer helps Dewey get the school band accepted into Battle of the Bands by pretending that everyone is 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 in School of Rock because it’s probably the first time Summer has stopped thinking about being evaluatedand Dewey finally gained his trust.
All over School of Rock, Jack Black’s character proves he’s willing to do anything for rockincluding stepping back and allowing Zack to take center stage since he is a better musician. The fact that Black was willing to get down on his knees and publicly beg Led Zeppelin to use “Immigrant Song” shows that Black has the same passion for rock as Dewey. Both the film and the behind-the-scenes story reflect this commitment to rock and School of Rock 2 is done, it must maintain the spirit (and legendary soundtrack) of School of Rock.