Key Takeaways:
• Richard Linklater wanted to use Led Zeppelin's “Rock and Roll” in Dazed and Confused but was denied by singer Robert Plant.
• Linklater responded by openly criticizing Plant and promising to boycott him.
• Despite the Zeppelin issue, Dazed and Confused became a cult classic with an iconic soundtrack.
• A similar request to Zeppelin for School of Rock was granted.
Richard Linklater, the accomplished indie director behind Dazed and Confused, wanted to use a song by rock legends Led Zeppelin for his enduring classic. However, the band's lead singer, Robert Plant, denied the request, leading to a sour response from Linklater.
Linklater revealed his choice wasn't the band's namesake track, “Dazed and Confused”, but rather “Rock and Roll”. Drafting a plea in his journal, aptly titled “Dazed by Days”, he recalled the lengths he went to secure the rights. In 1993, he sent Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page a five-minute video begging for permission, which was granted. However, things went askew when Plant blocked the inclusion of any Zeppelin music.
Linklater, understandably upset, decided to boycott Plant. He threw in the towel only two days before the final mix and openly criticized Plant and his solo career. He argued Plant's refusal was due to misguided priorities and claimed his solo output was “lame covers of old songs and uninspired new garbage”.
The Negative Aftermath for Zeppelin and Plant
Linklater also mocked the idea that not featuring a Zeppelin song would impact the band's historical relevance or spur sales of Plant's solo work. He took another swipe by labelling Plant as “a pathetically aging rock star”.
Despite the Zeppelin Issue, the Film's Soundtrack Shines
However, the lack of a Zeppelin track didn't hinder the Dazed and Confused soundtrack from becoming an iconic collection of music. Despite this win, Linklater was further disappointed when studio executives denied his request for a double album release to accommodate all the songs from the film. This led to the first release featuring only 14 tracks. Among the relied-on tracks was Aerosmith's “Sweet Emotion”, which was only included in a follow-up release.
Dazed and Confused: Linklater's Indie Legacy
Despite the behind-the-scenes drama, Dazed and Confused secured Linklater's reputation as a visionary in the indie scene. The film didn't bring him significant financial success, but it did become a cultural staple representing two key eras: the late-'70s high-school milieu and the independent cinema of the early '90s.
Interestingly, Linklater approached Led Zeppelin again a decade after Dazed and Confused for the use of “Immigrant Song” in School of Rock. With assistance from actor Jack Black and a crowd of supporters, they deployed a begging strategy. This time, the band agreed to the request.
So, are you familiar with Dazed and Confused, and do you have a favourite song from the movie's soundtrack? Share your thoughts with us below!
In conclusion, the refusal from Robert Plant to allow the use of a Led Zeppelin song was a notable incident during the production of Dazed and Confused. Despite the setback, the film and its iconic soundtrack have left an enduring mark in the cinema landscape.
