The Inside Story of Wayne’s World’s Most Unintentionally Complicated Gag

Scott Meslow, writing at GQ:

It’s one of many throwaways, when Wayne pops into a music shop to try out a guitar. He starts to jam, but barely get off a few notes before the clerk grabs the neck of the guitar and points to a sign hanging nearby: NO STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN. “No ‘Stairway’! Denied” says Wayne as he turns to the camera. […]

It was only later that I discovered the movie originally included a much more recognizable version of the song—but only in the original cut. At some point after the U.S. release, Warner Music Group and Led Zeppelin refused the rights to even the first few notes of “Stairway” for broadcast, video, or foreign release, resulting in the hasty, patchy edit. “With ‘Stairway to Heaven’ we were told that we could only use two notes before we’d have to pay $100,000, so to sell that he’s gonna play ‘Stairway to Heaven’ in two notes is pretty difficult,” said director Penelope Spheeris.

This article is from 2007, but I had never heard this story before.

Sponsor: My Fake Band — A Card Game for Music Fans

My Fake Band

My Fake Band is a new 4-8 player card game that is built for “music fans and shit talkers,” and they’ve just launched a Kickstarter.

Have you ever wondered how your favorite band came up with their name? Have you ever heard a song title that flat out made you laugh, or scratch your head in confusion? MYFAKEBAND is a party game that celebrates the Music Industrywhile shining a light on the absurdity that surrounds band names and song titles. I mean let’s be real, both “Hoobastank” and “Butthole Surfers” had hit singles that peaked on Billboard’s top 10 (no joke, look it up). 

MYFAKEBAND is a hilarious game that allows you to be the creator of some epically ridiculous bands, putting out equally cringeworthy hit singles.

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