Everyone knows the classic image of a rock star: long hair, loud music, and a cavalier disregard for rules and conformity. Fewer people might know of Rock Star, the 2001 comedy drama about a tribute band singer who gets a chance to become the new frontman of his favorite band. The film was a box-office bomb, which explains its lack of presence in the cultural zeitgeist, despite featuring notable star power from its leads, Mark Wahlberg and Jennifer Aniston.
But while the premise of the film initially seems straightforward and cliché, the actual origins of Rock Star prove to be far more interesting than the credit it receives. Though not presented as an adaptation of a true story, Rock Star was inspired by the real life of Tim "Ripper" Owens, a local rock artist who defied the odds and became the lead vocalist of legendary metal band, Judas Priest.
'Rock Star' is a Classic Rags-to-Riches Story
Rock Star follows Chris "Izzy" Cole (Wahlberg), a talented tribute band singer who gets the once in a lifetime opportunity to become the new frontman of his favorite band, a heavy metal group called Steel Dragon. After the band parts ways with their singer, they discover Chris and his tremendous vocals from a videotape recording of one of his performances. Impressed with his talents and ability to recreate the stage presence of their former vocalist, Steel Dragon recruits Chris, who begins a whirlwind journey as his greatest dream comes true. Alongside his girlfriend and manager, Emily (Aniston), Chris goes from local gigs to a stadium tour practically overnight, finding himself surrounded by all the sex, drugs, and rock and roll that he could wish for.
Rock Star isn't overly erudite or complex — but it never had to be. The movie is a quintessential rags-to-riches story about the importance of following one's dreams, while simultaneously being a parable warning of the trappings of fame and success. Though Chris is a talented singer in his own right, he repeatedly displays a lack of creativity and inner self-confidence, allowing himself to be swayed by distractions. After years of mimicking Steel Dragon's lead singer, Chris struggles with understanding his identity, both musically and personally, forcing him to decide whether his dream is still his ultimate priority.
'Rock Star' was Based on the True Story of Tim "Ripper" Owens
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
Though Rock Star doesn't advertise itself as based on a true story, the project was nonetheless based on the actual experiences of Tim "Ripper" Owens, an Akron-based local artist who became the lead singer of rock band, Judas Priest. In 1997, the New York Times released a feature outlining Owens' story, which served as the foundation for Rock Star. As soon as the article was released, production studios immediately clamored for adaptation rights, with Warner Bros. ultimately winning the race. Writer John Stockwell was approached to write the story, even traveling to Ohio to learn more about Owens' journey.
The connections between "Izzy" and "Ripper" are abundantly clear, and go deeper than just the similar premise. As outlined in the New York Times piece, Owens was vocally trained in a choir, had a room filled with posters of Judas Priest, and even got the attention of the band from a grainy videotape — all moments that are featured in the movie. Rock Star even features a scene wherein Chris belts a note louder than a speaker — an insane feat that Owens actually accomplished. Both singers even got their nicknames in similar ways, earning their rock moniker from fellow band members looking to develop a more hardcore image.
Owens' tenure as Judas Priest frontman, though exciting, ultimately proved to be a low point in the band's existence, as the two albums they received sold poorly. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Owens recounted his time with the legendary group, speaking about the highs, lows, and the uncertainty of the entire experience. He shared that Judas Priest didn't have any creative control over the film, as Warner Bros. opted to distance the movie from reality (partially so that they wouldn't have to pay the band, according to Owens). Eventually, Owens too would find himself distant from the group, joining another band around the same time Judas Priest's original frontman, Rob Halford, returned to the fold. Despite the lackluster results of his time with Judas Priest, Owens continued to create music and looks back fondly at Rock Star, even joking that he appreciated being depicted with abs for the first time in his life.
Real Musicians Played Key Roles and Vocals
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
While the production of Rock Star steered clear of involvement with Judas Priest, the movie featured many notable musicians in the metal scene. Steel Dragon included bassist Jeff Pilson, guitarist Zakk Wylde, and drummer Jason Bonham, all members of actual rock bands. Even members of Chris' original band in the movie, Blood Pollution, were played by other professional artists, such Brian Vander Ark, whose band, The Verve Pipe, provided a song for the film's soundtrack. Various vocals were also provided by professional singers, with Milijenko Matijevic of Steelheart providing the vocals for "Izzy" Cole, while Jeff Scott Soto sang for Bobby Beers.
Rock Star may not be Wahlberg or Aniston's most notable movie, but because of its surprising origin, it's somehow one of their most authentic. The celebrity of being a rock star continues to be an alluring fantasy for musicians everywhere, makingTim Owens' implausible story all the more exciting for audiences.
Rock Star is streaming now on Prime Video in the U.S.
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