- Title: USA: WORLD PREMIERE OF FILM "ROCK STAR"
- Date: 26th August 2001
- Summary: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (AUGUST 26, 2001) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) MARK WAHLBERG SAYING Well: "I grew my hair for about a year and a half but I also added some extensions, but my hair was shoulder length and I just added a couple of inches. Very uncomfortable". (SOUNDBITE) (ENGLISH) JENNIFER ANISTON SAYING OF HAVING REAL ROCK STARS ACT IN THE MOVIE:
- Embargoed: 10th September 2001 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES AND FILM LOCATIONS
- Country: USA
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVACTVXYYG0UVXZJIE1XJV5GWQ0F
- Story Text: Mark Wahlberg completes his escape from the "Planet of the Apes" by playing a heavy metal wanna-be who gets to play with the rock band he idolizes in the new comedy "Rock Star."
Wahlberg and his co-star Jennifer Aniston attended the film's World Premiere on Tuesday, September 4 in Los Angeles.
Mark Wahlberg revisited his formative years as a pop music star while he was making "Rock Star," as the script required him to perform on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans in an arena-style setting. Although the sensation of being on stage wasn't new to him, the type of fans in the audience was totally different, consisting of heavy metal rock fans, also known as "metal heads," instead of the teenaged girls that frequented concerts staged by Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.
In the film, Wahlberg plays Chris Cole, a mild-mannered copy machine repairman by day and would-be rock star by night who fronts a tribute band that plays the music of the wildly popular mid-80's heavy metal band Steel Dragon. Although it's a fictional band, it consists of real-life rock musicians such as Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, Jeff Pilson of the groups Dokken and Dio, Zakk Wylde of Black Label Society and Blas Elias of the rock band Slaughter.
Third Eye Blind lead singer Stephen Jenkins also puts in a cameo as the leader of a rival Steel Dragon tribute band who constantly battles with Cole.
The story follows Cole and his supportive girlfriend Emily, played by "Friends" star Jennifer Aniston, as they are offered a chance to join the real Steel Dragon group on tour after its lead singer drops out of the band. Cole is soon playing on stage in front of thousand of fans with the band that he has idolized since he was a child.
Of course, the experience changes his life, threatens his relationship with Emily and teaches him new things about what's really important in life.
"Rock Star" is directed by Stephen Herek, who previously directed the hockey comedy "The Mighty Ducks" and the Richard Dreyfuss drama "Mr. Holland's Opus." George Clooney serves as one of the producers of "Rock Star," marking his third collaboration with Wahlberg, the previous two being "The Perfect Storm" and "Three Kings."
The entire film takes place during the mid-1980's heyday of head banging heavy metal bands and, in fact, is based in part on a real-life incident that happened to the group Judas Priest. After its lead singer left the group, the remaining band members auditioned and selected an unknown musician who was playing in a Judas Priest tribute band to take his place.
Setting the film in the mid-80's meant lots of flamboyant costumes and big hair for Wahlberg, Aniston and the other cast members. While Aniston reveled in recreating the time period, Wahlberg was annoyed at having to grow his hair out for the sake of the role.
Aniston was joined at the premiere by her husband Brad Pitt as well as her 'Friends' co star Matthew Perry. She commented on the down side of success, but was noticeably overcome to be standing beside Gene Simmons from the band 'Kiss'.
Mark Wahlberg received a huge welcome from the fans who gathered at the Los Angeles premiere, he was quick to point out that he led a very different sort of lifestyle while he was in the 80's boy band 'New Kids on the Block'.
Also joining the stars of the film were famous faces from the world of rock and roll, including the bands Kiss, Poison, Def Leppard, Third Eye Blind and Limp Bizket. They were eager to point out the ups and downs of rock n' roll lifestyle.
"Rock Star" opens in theaters throughout the United States on Friday, September 7. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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