It’s no secret that media has a huge impact on people’s interests. Studies have shown that many film and TV audiences credit media with newfound attitudes and hobbies. Unsurprisingly, music scenes in movies and shows have birthed many musicians and have been credited as their inspiration. Even if you aren’t a player, a crazy guitar solo or battle is always fun to watch. If you are a fan of epic guitar playing, though, here are some incredible moments in TV and film to enjoy.
School of Rock
In this hilarious love letter to rock n’ roll, guitarist Dewey Finn (Jack Black) poses as a substitute teacher to get his finances in order. Under his guidance, the class he’s in charge of forms the band School of Rock, and they compete at the Battle of the Bands. In their final performance, Dewey rocks out on a Gibson SG Standard and delivers a fun, over-the-top solo. Student and guitarist Zack Mooneyham, played by Joey Gaydos Jr., also gets his moment to shine on a Gibson ‘67 Flying V to cap off an incredible performance. Though the band — spoiler alert — doesn’t win the competition, they manage to win the support of the audience and their parents.
Stranger Things
Stranger Things has been praised for its use of iconic 80s music ever since its first season. But its latest installment has taken it to the next level. In the season four finale, metalhead and D&D fanatic Eddie Munson takes the Upside Down stage. His song of choice is Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” which he plays on his 24-fret NJ Warlock, which was a custom-made guitar for the show by B.C Guitars. The scene has been regarded as one of the show’s most epic moments and has even garnered praise from Metallica themselves. After volume one ended, viewers initially theorized that Eddie would use his music to help Nancy snap out of Vecna’s illusion. But playing to attract the attention of the demobats so the rest of the group could carry out their plan definitely exceeded everyone’s expectations in the best way.
Back to the Future
Upon traveling back in time to the 50s, Marty McFly — played by Michael J. Fox — finds he has to help his parents fall in love, or he’ll cease to exist. This predicament lands him a gig at his parents’ high school dance, where he performs Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” Marty McFly shreds on a 1959 Gibson ES-345 TDC, an electric guitar model with a semi-hollow body that features F-holes and hollowed resonance chambers, but with a solid wood center in line with the neck that reduces feedback – perfect for the level of play that “Johnny B. Goode” demands. Back to the Future has become a classic for so many reasons, including this guitar scene that has inspired many others to take up the instrument too.
This is Spinal Tap
Though not a performance, one of the most popular guitar scenes comes from the mockumentary This is Spinal Tap which follows the fictional rock band Spinal Tap. In the scene in question, the band’s guitarist Nigel Tufnel shows an interviewer a Marshall amplifier that turns up to eleven and a custom guitar’s sustain despite it not being played. The film has been hailed as a hilarious satirical depiction of rockstar life, and its success spawned a wave of mockumentaries. Since then, many other music-focused mockumentaries have been produced, but the boys of Spinal Tap remain the OGs.
Crossroads
In Crossroads, Ralph Macchio plays Eugene, a 17-year-old student with a love for blues journeying alongside pro guitarist Willie Brown, played by Joe Seneca. In an attempt to win Willie’s soul back from the Devil, Eugene agrees to battle another guitarist, Jack Butler. The battle is skewed in favor of Butler, but Eugene manages to hold his own and delivers a final blow by shredding Paganini’s 5th Caprice on his late 60s Fender Telecaster and wins the duel. Guitarist Steve Vai, who plays Butler, actually performs both his and Macchio’s parts in the shred-off, which is why this scene played with such believable intensity.
