In an interview with Vulture, lead singer Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin stated that he was pleased with how Jack Black used the band’s iconic song “Immigrant Song” in the hit film “School Of Rock” (2003).
In the film, Dewey Finn, having left his band, takes a job as a substitute teacher at a private school, where he forms a rock band with his pupils.
Robert Plant says he liked “Immigrant Song” in “School of Rock”
“My response is: Why not? Our songs didn’t come from Valhalla. It’s not a preferred destination, either. I like the idea of taking the hammer to another time. Jack Black made a magnificent meal of it. It’s a killer guitar riff. What a shame “Immigrant Song” isn’t easy for kids to play, by the way. Everyone gets it, young and old.”
“It’s a great song. Not only slightly ridiculous but ridiculous. Considering that we wrote it in midair leaving Iceland a fantastically inspiring gig and an adventure, beyond which there will be no books written. To give it to the kids is important. Send it up, send it down, and just keep sending it. Just dig it because there’s no hierarchy.”
Robert added, “(…) Everybody’s seen Tony Curtis and Kirk Douglas in The Vikings. It’s just so evocative. So to give it to the kids, it’s great. I mean, Jack Black’s got it right down. He’s that risk. All of my grandkids have all been able to play Jack Black’s riffs. I think it was exactly the right thing to do, with School of Rock, to blow our myth up into the sky for a while. Because it’s all myth. It doesn’t matter. I’ve watched the film and find it funny.”
The singer said that the song was composed “mid-air” as the group was on their way back from a historical performance in Iceland.
Plant said that when the band feels a song works well in a film or television program, they approve of its usage.
Led Zeppelin released “Immigrant Song” as a single in 1970, and it was included on their third album, “Led Zeppelin III.”