How Jack Black Helped Led Zeppelin Break Their Own Rules
For decades, Led Zeppelin stood as one of the most resolute gatekeepers of their own legacy. While many of their contemporaries eagerly licensed songs for films, commercials, and games, Zeppelin consistently refused. Their music was sacred, and they guarded it with an almost mythical intensity. Tracks like Stairway to Heaven, Whole Lotta Love, and Kashmir were never handed out lightly. In an era where sync deals had become both artistically and financially tempting, Led Zeppelin remained the exception — choosing mystique over market saturation.
So, in 2003, when the thunderous Immigrant Song exploded from theater speakers during a pivotal scene in the cult comedy School of Rock, the audience wasn’t the only one left wide-eyed. Industry insiders were stunned. How had a band that had turned down so many others suddenly changed their minds?
The answer? Jack Black.
School of Rock, directed by Richard Linklater and written by Mike White, starred Black as Dewey Finn — a passionate, if chaotic, musician-turned-substitute-teacher who inspires a class of prep school kids to discover the power of rock and roll. The film’s climax hinges on the energy of Immigrant Song, with Black’s character racing down a highway, screaming along with Robert Plant’s legendary wail.
But getting the song wasn’t easy.
Initially, Led Zeppelin declined the request. Not deterred, Black, Linklater, and the production team made a heartfelt plea — literally. They filmed a personal video addressed to the band, with Black standing in front of a screaming crowd, passionately explaining how vital the song was to the film and how much it meant to him personally. With the crowd behind him chanting “Zeppelin! Zeppelin! Zeppelin!”, Black begged for the band’s blessing.
The gesture worked.
Moved by the sincerity and enthusiasm of the pitch — and perhaps recognizing that School of Rock was a genuine love letter to rock music — Zeppelin finally relented. The song was licensed for use, marking one of the rare times the band allowed one of their iconic tracks to be used in a mainstream Hollywood film.
The moment was more than just a soundtrack victory — it signaled a softening of the band’s legendary stance. Years later, Immigrant Song would be used again, most notably in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), but it was School of Rock that broke the spell.
Jack Black’s relentless passion for music and unshakable devotion to the gods of rock turned a long-standing “no” into an emphatic, era-defining “yes.” In doing so, he didn’t just make cinematic history — he helped bring Led Zeppelin’s music roaring into a new generation’s hearts.
