Jack Black may be one of the most recognized comedic actors, but those in the know recall he also beat the devil in a duel by playing the best song in the world; it’s just a shame he forgot the lyrics and was only able to write a tribute to the feat. Indeed, his time working with his bandmate Kyle Glass as Tenacious D is one of the many things that fans of the actor love about the expressive Jack Black, seeing him express himself as a musician with that seemingly unlimited energy.
Within his filmography, Jack Black has also been quick to embrace his rock ‘n’ roll persona in films such as School of Rock and Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny. It is no surprise that fans and the media have pushed to find out Black’s favorite music more than many other actors, both having his own band and picking roles that express his love of music. Here are 8 of Jack Black’s favorite bands.
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Jack Black Puts Led Zeppelin Above the Beatles
London-based rock iconsLed Zeppelin have been called pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal, blending various styles with a guitar-heavy driven sound from Jimmy Page and iconic vocals from Robert Plant. The band has sold over 200 million albums worldwide, has won multiple Grammys, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995. Their songs “Stairway to Heaven” and “Whole Lotta Love” are among their best-known, but only present a small portion of the band’s decades-long dominance over rock.
Jack Black Has a Whole Lotta Love for ‘Led Zeplin’
At the Kennedy Center Honors event paying homage to the band, Jack Black would say of Led Zeppelin, “Led Zeppelin, the greatest rock and roll band of all time,” before adding, “better than The Beatles, better than The Stones, even better than Tenacious D.” High praise coming from Black, and it does not get any clearer how much he loves the rock legends.
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7
Off! Is the Kind of Punk that Gets Jack Black Excited
Punk supergroup led by Keith Morris of the Circle Jerks and Black Flag, OFF! delivered short and loud punk tracks from 2009 to 2024, releasing three records. Besides bringing together members from bands like Black Flag, Red Kross, and Rocket From The Crypt, the band had a series of highly entertaining music videos, matching the best punk cinema, bringing in various actors, Jack Black included.
Jack Black Got To Act Alongside Punk Rock Legends
Appearing in two videos, which were later put together into one, Jack Black’s love for the band went beyond his appearance. In talking about getting to work with the band, Black would tell Far Out, “There’s this band called Off! that has an original member of Black Flag in it. And if you think about it, Black Flag was named for an insect poison. Black Flag: you would spray it on the bugs, and it would kill them. And Off! is an insect repellent, so it’s kind of like the sequel. And they were amazing, and I geeked out in the wings definitely.”
6
AC/DC Has One of the Best Albums of All Time, Says Jack Black
There are a lot of bands on this list that need little intro, but AC/DC is perhaps the most notable. Formed by brothers Angus Young and Malcolm Young, the Australian band quickly became a global sensation with their high-energy performances, catchy vocals, and stadium-ready rock and roll. One of the best-selling bands in history, AC/DC is so integrated into culture thanks to songs like “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black,” and “Thunderstruck” being played in every sporting venue.
Jack Black Loves ‘Back in Black’
In School of Rock, Jack Black’s Dewey Finn would deliver the memorable line: “And in the words of AC/DC: ‘We roll tonight, to the guitar bite, and for those about to rock, I salute you.'” This little homage is not the only time Black has spoken about the band. In an interview with Far Out, after having given his five favorite albums, he realized he had made a mistake, saying, “I can’t believe I left out AC/DC’s Back in Black! It kicks all those albums’ a**es. Can you make that five and a half? No, put it like f***in’ zero — it comes ahead of one.”
5
Jack Black Adores the Pixies
While much of the world knows the Pixies from the track “Where’s My Mind” on the Fight Club Soundtrack, rocketing the single to mainstream success, the band is far from a one-hit wonder. Highly influential in the alternative rock scene, the Pixies have garnered a dedicated fanbase of audiophiles since their first album release, Surfer Ros, in 1988.
Jack Black Has Been a Fan of the Iconic Band Since the Beginning
Among fans of Pixies‘ debut album, Jack Black includes himself, stating it as one of the best albums ever made. He would say of their debut album and frontman Black Francis, in the same interview with Far Out, “[His] melodies and vocalizations were so primal and original.” He would later add in talking about their underground success, stating, “They were Nirvana, but no one knew it.”
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Devo Is Comedic Gold And Talent Combined for Jack Black
Yes, yes, we are talking about the “Whip It” band. However, Devo influence on music as a whole is vastly understated when just breaking it down to their few “silly hits” that are now overplayed. The band had an innovative sound and took a satirical approach to music that would redefine the way that many influenced countless bands. Willing to interject comedy into their act, which would also make an impact on Jack Black.
Jack Black Adores Devo’s Playful Approach to Music
Speaking in praise of their album Freedom of Choice with Far Out, Jack Black would say, “They were the first ones in my mind to have a fully realised concept with their band. They had a genius theatricality, a creepy sense of humour, and also some kick-a** tunes.” While a drastically different approach to interjecting comedy and creating characters for a band, one can easily see how Devo was influential in the crafting of Tenacious D.
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3
Jack Black Says Tom Waits Will Never Be a Musical Force To Reckon With
Musician, composer, songwriter, poet, and actor, Tom Waits is one of the most recognizable musical figures of all time thanks to his distinct voice and dark lyrical prose. Coming up in the 1970s, Waits would begin his music career as a folk and jazz musician, but in the ’80s, he would undergo a drastic shift in his sound and begin to embrace a wide range of genres. Tom Waits is a highly respected figure in music and beyond, with Jack Black considering himself among the many who adore the man.
While Jack Black has expressed his admiration for Waits’ discography in its entirety, in another interview with Far Out, Black spoke of his favorite album from the icon; Bad as Me. In expressing how timeless the album and Waits are, Jack Black would say of the 2011 release, “Those first three tracks are worth the price of admission. He’s so real; he’s gonna be here in 100 years. Don’t you feel it? Objectively speaking, can’t you look at some people and go, ‘100 years — still gonna be here?’”
2
Jack Black Is Inspired by the Complex Songs of Yes
Yes is another band that many will know because a single song, “Owner of A Lonely Heart,” was a huge hit for the band that put them on the global stage. Yet the British progressive rock band has gained a long-time cult following for its more complex compositions and for integrating other genres, such as jazz, into lengthy experimental pieces of music. In the ’70s, the band was considered at the forefront of progressive rock.
Jack Black Has Respect for the Progressive Rock Band
Jack Black expressed his love of the experimental side of Yes. When speaking to Howard Stern, he would say, “They were the masters of their instruments. No one could touch them for musicianship. They were all like masterclass Juilliard-trained.” Jack Black’s love of Yes makes sense when considering his appreciation for the craftsmanship behind the music, as a musician himself.
1
‘The Bends’ From Radiohead Is Pure Perfection According to Black
Formed in 1985 in Oxfordshire, England, Radiohead would be known for their experimental approach to music, incorporating various genres to craft a wholly original sound around the haunting vocals of Thom Yorke. Their debut album, Pablo Honey, would rocket to success off the song “Creep,” becoming a social outcast anthem throughout the 90s. Since then, the band has continued to innovate with each additional release and through Thom Yorke’s recent projects like The Smile.
Radiohead Blew Jack Black’s Mind
In an interview with Entertainment, Jack Black would go on to tout the overall brilliance of the band, but convey a specific love for the album The Bends; “If you want concept, you go OK Computer. But if you wanna rock — if you want straight-up f***in’ songs — you go The Bends.” adding of his first experience with the album, “The first few listens, I was like, ‘I don’t understand…. My brain’s not computing….’ Then it clicked in: ‘Ohhhh, I see! It’s the best band in the history of rock!’”
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