Happy Birthday Jack Black (belated: August 28, 1969)

byFrankB-1

6.6K followers

2 years ago

Hi, WA Friends and Rock enthusiasts!

Just when you probably thought I was writing some useful WA blogs, here's another ridiculous musical post, this time with a twist, which proves I really am a moron! Hahaha

So, if you DON'T want a fun break from your daily tedium, then read NO further!

I missed Jack's birthday by two days, but I just couldn't resist, so grab your air guitar, and let's dive into the musical side of Jack Black. That's right, he's also a guitar player!

Jack's Rockin' Journey: From "Tenacious D" To "School Of Rock."

Jack was born Thomas Jacob Black in Santa Monica, California. While he's widely known for his comedic roles in films, not everyone knows that he's a bona fide musician. That's right, folks! This man can act, sing, and play instruments. Talk about a triple threat!

I love him in crazy movies like "Be Kind, Rewind," where some idiot becomes magnetized and accidentally erases all the tapes in a video rental store. He also did a fabulous version of the classic movie King Kong, not to mention "Goosebumps I & II," "Jumanji I & II," "Nacho Libre," "The House With the Clock In The Wall," and countless others!

The Birth Of Tenacious D

Before he became a household name in Hollywood, Jack was rocking out with his buddy Kyle Gass. Together, they formed Tenacious D in 1994. The band is often described as a comedy rock duo, but don't let the "comedy" part fool you. These guys can seriously play. Their self-titled debut album, "Tenacious D," was released in 2001 and featured hits like "Tribute" and "Wonderboy." The album was a commercial success and garnered a cult following.

Tenacious D In The Pick Of Destiny

This move introduced the rest of the world to Tenacious D. Jack and Kyle discover that all the best Rock and Metal guitar players in the world became guitar gods because they had the "Pick Of Destiny," a magical guitar pick made from a piece of the Devil's chipped tooth!

They try to break into the Rock Museum to steal the pick, which is protected by extreme security measures!

Of course, I had to have a Pick Of Destiny, so if you know me, then I'm sure you know what happened next! That's right, I built myself a guitar with the Pick of Destiny! Lol

Do you see it? Sorry for the fluorescent light reflection. 😎

Are You A "Gear Head?

For you guitar lover guys and gals out there, those are Joe Barden pickups, not Seymour Duncan Hot Rails, and they really rock! It has heavy-duty brass compensated saddles, Callahan knurled knobs with CTS pots and selector switch.

It also features my custom-designed "super secret" electronics inside (if I told you, I'd have to strangle you with a guitar string! Lol).

The body is quilted maple. The neck is also quilted maple, which is typically too soft a wood to handle the string tension, but it was made from an extra-hard piece and has a double truss rod to keep it straight. The fretboard is Indian rosewood with tall-thin frets and a 9.5-inch radius.

School Of Rock: The Movie That Rocked Our World!

In 2003, Jack starred in the film "School of Rock," where he played a down-and-out musician who becomes a substitute teacher and forms a rock band with his students. He's playing a B7th chord in the photo above (the 5th for a song he's doing in the key of E) on an early-80s Gibson SG guitar, in case you're wondering.

I attended a private school like the one in the movie called "Rocky Hill," so the film really amused me. Those kinds of college prep schools are no fun, but it was a tremendous educational experience!

The movie was a box-office hit and further solidified Jack's status as a rock icon. The soundtrack featured classic rock songs and original tracks performed by Black himself.

Have you ever heard any Led Zeppelin songs in movies? No (please correct me if I'm wrong), because the band is notorious for not allowing movie directors to use their material! To get permission to use a short sample of the "Immigrant Song" from the Led Zeppelin III album, Jack had to organize a demonstration of about 10,000 Zeppelin fans, all screaming, "Give us the song." He sent the video to the band, and they let him use it. Lol

If you haven't seen this movie, you're missing out on a rock 'n' roll masterpiece! They even made a Broadway play about it, which you should also see!

His lesson on the history of Rock is legionary!

Jack's Discography: All his recorded albums

Let's take a moment to appreciate the musical gems Jack Black has given us over the years. Here's a quick rundown of his discography with the help of ChatGPT. They're all essential listening, but if you have to listen to just one, go with "The Pick of Destiny."

• Tenacious D (2001): The debut album that put them on the map.
• The Pick of Destiny (2006): A soundtrack album for their musical comedy film of the same name that I talked about above.
• Rize of the Fenix (2012): Nominated for a Grammy, this album showed that Tenacious D still had plenty of fuel in the tank.
• Post-Apocalypto (2018): Accompanied by a YouTube series, this album takes you on a wild, post-apocalyptic adventure.

Jack's Legacy: More Than Just A Funny Guy

Jack has proven that he's more than just a comedic actor. He's a musician who has left an indelible mark on the rock 'n' roll landscape. Whether it's through Tenacious D or his unforgettable role in "School of Rock," Jack continues to entertain and inspire a new generation of rock enthusiasts.

Alright, rockers, that's a wrap for now. Keep those amps "cranked up to 11" (Spinal Tap quote), and stay tuned for more rockin' content! Hahaha

Happy Birthday, Jack Black! 🎂

Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸

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