Based on the real life scenario that took place with Judas Priest, Chris Cole (Mark Wahlberg) went from fronting a Steel Dragon tribute band, to fronting Steel Dragon. The film did very poorly, yet it is one of those movies that everyone seems to have seen, indicating that this is a guilty pleasure for many. Perhaps it was because the songs were basic, or that is well cast, or that it is one of those comfort films that you can have on the background while you are doing housework. We would not be surprised to see this get in one day.



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
Rock Star (2001)

Actors:
Mark Wahlberg (Chris Cole, Replacement Lead Singer)
Dominic West (Kirk Cuddy, Rhythm Guitar)
Jason Bonham (A.C., Drums)
Zakk Wylde (Ghode, Lead Guitar)
Jeff Pilson (Jorgen, Bass)
Jason Flemyng (Bobby Beers, Original Lead Singer)

Songs you might remember:
Stand up and Shout
We All Die Young

Why you should vote for them:
Music was a major focal point of the film, and we wager that almost all of the people who visited this website know the name “Steel Dragon”

Why you should not vote for them:
The songs aren’t really that good.

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Many musicians who went on to prominence in the 80’s and early 90’s have been vocal about their love of the cult film, “Ladies and Gentleman, the Fabulous Stains”. Featuring a very young Diane Lane and Laura Dern, we have an all girl Punk band, which inspired a generation of young women across America with their pre Riot Girl ethos. We were treated to the rise and fall of the band, featuring their sellout to the corporate machine. This could be a dark horse candidate for our Hall of Fame, especially if its cult status rises.



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains (1982)

Actors:
Diane Lane (Corinne Burns)
Marin Kanter (Tracy Burns)
Laura Dern (Jessica McNeil)

Songs you might remember:
Waste of Time
Professionals

Why you should vote for them:
They have legitimately been cited as influential; this can’t be ignored.

Why you should not vote for them:
The movie did not make it, nor does it even get play on cable.

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The votes and comments on this one should be fascinating. The reviews of Tom Cruises’ performance as Stacee Jaxx were not exactly consistent. Many praised Cruise, as he looked the part of an 80’s Rock Star and also complimented his respectable singing; a talent many did not know he had. Others painted him as a cheesy caricature in a film that took the worst music of the decade and sunk it to another level. Which is right? That if for you to decide!



The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
Rock of Ages (2012)

Actor:
Tom Cruise

Songs you might remember:
A pile of them: though more likely from the original artists.

Why you should vote for him:
Cruise did look the part, and we did think we could sing.

Why you should not vote for him:
There is certain cheesiness to his performance that works against him.

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This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Although it is not a prerequisite, to be a great fictional rock band you need an elaborate past, which is what we learn from what is considered to be (and lets face it is) the greatest mockumentaries of all time. Documented by longtime Spinal Tap fan by longtime fan and fake director, Mary DiBergi (Rob Reiner), we follow the band after they released their latest album and corresponding American Tour. We get flashbacks of the band’s history when David St. Hubbins (formerly of the Creatures) and Nigel Tufnel (formerly of the Lovely Lads) joined to create the Originals, only to rename themselves the New Originals upon learning that there already was a band called the Originals. They would undergo a series of name changes including, all while going personnel changes:

The Thamesmen
The Dutchmen
The Ravebreakers
Hellcats
Flamin’ Demons
The Shiners
The Mondos
The Doppel Gang
The Peoples
Loose Lips
The Waffles
Hot Waffles
Silver Service
Bisquits
Love Bisquits
The Mud Below
The Tufnel-St. Hubbins Group

They would finally settle on Spinal Tap and add Derek Smalls (formerly of Teddy Noisem Skaface and Milage). They would perpetually go through drummers as they would seem to leave (or perish) for whatever reason or another but they would emerge as one of the top Hard Rock acts of the 70’s, though when we saw them in the mockumentary they were clearly in a down period.

A fairly good backstory, especially considering that we do witness the band’s musical evolution, which was one more detailed than 99 percent of the real bands out there.The three comedic actors, Harry Shearer, Michael McKean and Christopher Guest went all out with the personas (many people actually thought this was a real band) and they appeared in Greatest Hits commercials, magazines and on Saturday Night Live.  While they had success, they were not recognizable enough so when the band made appearances, most people who had seen them before in other roles did not automatically recognize them.  Shearer, McKean and Guest were more than adequate musicians, and when they performed, they did as well as many of the other acts that were on tour.

Spinal Tap would go on to put out more albums, go on more tours and no matter how many other roles they would have, this is likely to be the favorite for all of their fans.

We are very excited to welcome Spinal Tap to the inaugural class of the Fictitious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.


The Bullet Points:
Movie Appeared:
This is Spinal Tap (1984)

Actors:
Michael McKean (David St. Hubbins, Lead Singer & Guitar)
Christopher Guest (Nigel Tufnel, Lead Guitar)
Harry Shearer (Derek Smalls, Bass)

Songs you might remember:
Listen to What the Flower People Say
Hell Hole
Big Bottom
Tonight I’m Gonna Rock You
Break Like the Wind
Stonehenge

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