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The 60’s, 70’s and 80’s were a great time for rock bands to emerge and conquer the world. Almost every band made it to some mild degree of fame. Even if that fame came in the form of just one hit. The rock stars eventually, as they do, burn out or fade away. The rock and roll lifestyle of sex & drugs is one many know by heart. Which is why some in Hollywood see the lifestyle as marketable and even parodiable. During the late 80’s through the 90’s, a series of fictional bands and artists began taking the world by storm. These were bands created for TV and movies that music and non-music fans can relate to. This blog is about the greatest fictional bands and artists of all time, as well as the real-life artists that they were inspired by.
Spinal Tap-This Is Spinal Tap
You can’t bring up the 80’s without Spinal Tap. They captured the sights, sounds and smells of hard-working rock bands from the era. With Nigel Tufnell (guitar), Derek Smalls (bass), and Derek St Hubbins (lead vocals), the band parodied the 80’s metal scene perfectly. The band covered all the behind-the-scenes trauma groups experience. This included events such as Twisted Sister taking the wrong entrance to a stage and ending up on a tennis court and Black Sabbaths infamous stone henge incident ending up in the script. Spinal Tap are the quintessential 80’s metal parody and the actors bring them to life do so to the point where viewers think they’re watching a real band.
The Blue Brothers- The Blues Brothers
Despite being formed by comedians Dan Akroyd and John Belushi, the group is no joke. They have a sheer respect and deep love of the blues. The group performed blues covers on SNL in the late 70’s in a sketch in which they dressed in bee costumes. The sketch was in reference to the blues standard “I’m a King Bee”. The duo would later invite SNL cast members to a bar rented out by Akroyd called The Holland Tunnel Blues Bar. The bar was famously known as the place where Belushi fell in love with and obsessed over the blues. It was also at the bar where Akroyd wrote the story for what would eventually become The Blues Brothers movie. The duo took what could have been a joke and turned it into an actual living breathing band with a respect for the genre they play. Just don’t expect them to show up at a gig, or even the right gig on time.
No Vacancy- School of Rock
While one could argue that the titular band from the movie deserves high praise, they didn’t win the Battle of The Bands. The grunge metal stylings of No Vacancy are what introduce us to Jack Blacks world of rock music. Influenced by the likes of Led Zeppelin and other hard rockers of the 70’s, No Vacancy easily swept the battle of the bands with their hard rock sound and extended guitar solos. Plus, there’s a dude just named Spider in the band; you can’t compete with the awesomeness of that.
Stillwater- Almost Famous
Stillwater may be a low-level band trying to make it big time, but these “Golden Gods” have got the talent to pull it off. Written by writer director Cameron Crowe, Stillwater was made as an amalgamation of his experiences covering bands on the road. Drawing primarily on his experiences with The Allman Brothers Band. The group, led by front man Russell Hammond (Billy Cruddup) have suffered a variety of setbacks on their path to stardom. Russell got electrocuted by his own mic, they sold their long-term groupie for a six pack of beer, and to top it off, their plane almost crashed. Yet through it all, the music is what kept them together. It is also a bonus to have Peter Frampton and Nancy Wilson as contributing songwriters in real life for the movie’s songs.
Crucial Taunt- Waynes World
Can you think of a band that wails harder than Crucial Taunt? The group led by the babe, Cassandra (Tia Carrere), takes influence from sixties and seventies hard rock. This group will entrance any newcomer with their sound resulting in a “schwing” vote as front runner for any upcoming battle of the bands.
Wyld Stallions- Bill and Ted (Series)
How do you get big as a musical duo? You get Eddie Van Halen to star in your music video. The Wyld Stallions music is the stuff history books write about. Whose history, try 3000 years in the future when miniature golf scores are way up, and violence and crime are way down. The duo formed by Bill S Preston Esquire (Alex Winter) and Ted Theodore Logan (Keanu Reeves) have the dubious and most bodacious task of writing music to unite the universe. Their hard rock infused sound helped solve world problems, energy crises and it’s excellent for dancing.
Kathleen Turner Overdrive (Formerly Sonic Death Monkey)- High Fidelity
While not on the same level of talent as The School of Rock, Jack Blacks first fictional band and role, culminated with the world knowing one inescapable fact, he can sing. This was Blacks first high-profile role, playing that of a record store clerk/ music geek. Throughout the film his character Barry would often annoy the others in his orbit with his behavior and mannerisms. Though the grand reveal was, despite all his quirks, Barry, and by extension Black, has talent. Check out the group crushing a cover of Marvin Gayes’ “Let’s Get It On”.
Dewey Cox- Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
How can you not love Dewey Cox? The man has influenced generations with his song “Walk Hard”. Everyone from Eddie Vedder to Jewel has been touched by his tragic story. From his humble beginnings growing up without his sense of smell on a farm, to accidentally “halfing” his brother with a chainsaw, Cox has seen and done it all. The Johnny Cash inspired mockumentary contains a whopping 70+ cameos, all of whom have been influenced by the famous singer. Just don’t tempt Dewey with anything, he’s easily persuaded.
Otis Day and The Knights- Animal House
They say that if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life. As for Otis Day and the Knights, relentlessly, tirelessly and extensively playing a cover of “Shout” embodies that quote. The band most notable for their performance in the toga party scene in Animal House is fictitious. However, the cover songs singer Dewayne Jessie purchased the rights to the band’s name shortly after the movie’s release. They recorded one album, aptly titled Shout. The record, upon release in 1989, flopped but the band still continue to play the track to this day.
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