Musicians And Film (Part 2)

Musicians And Film (Part 2)

We continue our listing of musicians who have appeared in movies as well as some actors and actresses who have had crossover success in the film and music industry.

Aaliyah

Before her career was cut short, the singing sensation Aaliyah was the voice behind the song “Are You That Somebody”. She also starred in the movies “Romeo Must Die” (2000) and “Queen of the Damned” (2002).

Aerosmith

This renowned rock band has had hit songs with “Cryin’”, “Dream On” and “Sweet Emotion”. Aerosmith appeared in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978) and “Wayne’s World 2” (1993). Front man Steven Tyler and guitarist Joe Perry made an appearance in 2003’s “Be Cool”. Tyler also made an appearance as an animated character in “The Polar Express” (2004).

Burt Bacharach

Burt Bacharach has become synonymous with such songs as “Close to You” and “What the World Needs Now is Love”. He appeared as himself in all three Austin Powers movies.

The Beatles

George Harrison, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were not only known worldwide for the hit songs “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, “Twist and Shout” and “Hey Jude” but they were in a few popular movies including “A Hard Day’s Night” (1964) and “Help!” (1965). Ringo Starr later appeared in the movies “Son of Dracula” (1974) and “Caveman” (1981).

The Bee Gees

Brothers Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb were immortalized in song with such hits as “Stayin’ Alive”, “Tragedy” and “Jive Talkin’”. The Bee Gees starred in the 1978 film “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”.

Jon Bon Jovi

In the music world, Jon Bon Jovi is known best for being the front man for the rock band Bon Jovi. He has also appeared in several movies including “U571” (2000), “Vampires II: Las Muertos” (2002) and “Cry Wolf” (2003).

Chris Bridges a.k.a. Ludacris

Ludacris is the singer behind the song “Stand Up”. He has also made a name for himself in movies, appearing in the films “Crash” (2004), “Hustle and Flow” (2005) and in the upcoming “Fred Claus” (2007).

Glen Campbell

This legendary singer/songwriter had a number of hit records including “Rhinestone Cowboy” and “Galveston”. Glen Campbell appeared in the movies “The Cool Ones” (1967) and “True Grit” (1969).

Mariah Carey

This award winning singer has had plenty of hit songs including “Hero”, “Lead the Way” and “We Belong Together”. She has starred in the films “The Bachelor” (1999) and “Glitter” (2001).

Cheap Trick

This legendary rock band is best known for their songs “Surrender”, “I Want You to Want Me” and “The Flame”. Cheap Trick made a brief appearance in the movie Daddy Day Care. Guitarist Rick Nielsen also made a cameo in the 1987 movie “Disorderlies”.

Cher

Cher had success as part of the duo Sonny & Cher and as a solo artist with such songs as “I Got You Babe” and “Believe”. She received critical acclaim for her work in the movies “Mask” (1985) and “Silkwood” (1983). Cher would go on to win the best actress Oscar for her work in “Moonstruck” (1987) and has also starred in the film “Tea with Mussolini” (1999).

Eric Clapton

This legendary musician is best known for songs like “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven”. Eric Clapton appeared in “Tommy” (1975) and in “Blues Brothers 2000” (1998).

Phil Collins

Phil Collins has had success as a solo artist and as the front man and drummer for the band Genesis. He has appeared in the movies “Buster” (1988) and “Hook” (1991).

Alice Cooper

This shock rocker had memorable hit songs with “Poison” and “No More Mr. Nice Guy”. Alice Cooper starred in “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978), “Wayne’s World” (1992) and “Freak Show” (1999).

Elvis Costello

The singer behind the songs “Alison” and “Pump It Up” made a cameo appearance as himself in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.

Mos Def

The artist behind “Six Days” has found success in films as well. Mos Def has starred in “The Italian Job” (2003), Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, “16 Blocks” (2006) and as himself in Talladega Nights.

Neil Diamond

This legendary singer is best known for his songs “America” and “Sweet Caroline”. Neil Diamond also starred in the 1980 movie “The Jazz Singer”.

Peter Frampton

The singer known for the song “Baby I Love Your Way” has appeared in several films. Peter Frampton starred in “Son of Dracula” (1974), “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978) and “Almost Famous” (2000).

Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin is best known for her songs “Chain of Fools” and “Respect”. She also appeared in 1980’s “Blues Brothers” and its 1998 sequel “Blues Brothers 2000”.

Macy Gray

Macy Gray had a hit song with “I Try”. She appeared briefly in Spider-man.

Waylon Jennings

This country legend was the voice behind “The Dukes of Hazzard” TV theme song. Besides having a number of hits, Waylon Jennings also made a brief appearance in “Maverick” (1994).

Joan Jett

This female rocker is best known for the songs “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” and “I Hate Myself for Loving You”. Joan Jett has appeared in “Light of Day” (1987) and “The Sweet Life” (2003).

Elton John

The legendary singer behind “Rocket Man”, “Crocodile Rock” and “Your Song” appeared in the 1975 “rock opera” “Tommy”.

Tom Jones

This renowned singer is best known for his songs “It’s Not Unusual” and “What’s New Pussycat”. Tom Jones appeared as himself in the 1996 film “Mars Attacks”.

Brenda Lee

Brenda Lee is probably best known for her songs “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”. She appeared briefly in the film “Smokey & the Bandit II” (1980).

Huey Lewis

Huey Lewis is usually associated with being the front man for Huey Lewis and the News which had hit songs with “Hip to be Square” and “Power of Love”. However, he’s also appeared in the films “Sphere” (1998) and “Duets” (2000).

Madonna

Although she’s best known for her songs “Like a Prayer” and “Vogue”, Madonna has also found some success on the big screen. Among her films are “Dick Tracy” (1990), “A League of Their Own” (1992), “Four Rooms” (1995), “Evita” (1996) for which she won a Golden Globe, “Swept Away” (2002) and the Bond flick Die Another Day.

Meatloaf

This renowned singer has had a number of memorable hits including “Paradise By the Dashboard Light”. Meatloaf has also appeared in the films “Fight Club” (1999) and “Crazy in Alabama” (1999).

Reba McEntire

The songstress behind “Fancy” and “Whoever’s in New England” also had a hit TV show with “Reba”. Reba McEntire also appeared on the big screen in 1990’s “Tremors”.

Kylie Minogue

The singer behind “Locomotion” and “Can’t Get You Out of My Head” has also ventured into film. Kylie Minogue appeared in the movies “Bio-Dome” (1996) and “Moulin Rouge!” (2001).

The Monkees

Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, Michael Nesmith and Peter Tork had success with their songs “I’m A Believer”, “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” and “Daydream Believer”. The band starred in the 1968 movie “Head”. Nesmith would later make a cameo appearance as a taxi driver in the 1987 movie “Burglar”.

Mandy Moore

Mandy Moore first started her singing career with songs like “Candy”. In recent years, Moore has starred in several films including “The Princess Diaries” (2001), “Saved!” (2004) and “American Dreamz” (2006).

Alanis Morrisette

This female rocker had hit songs with “You Oughta Know” and “Hand in My Pocket”. Alanis Morrisette has appeared in the films “Dogma” (1999) and “De-Lovely” (2004).

Nelly

The artist behind “Ride Wit Me” has also starred several films. Nelly has appeared in “Snipes” (2001) and in the 2005 remake of The Longest Yard.

Olivia Newton-John

Olivia Newton-John has found success in music and in film. She starred in the hit musical “Grease” (1978) and in 1980’s “Xanadu”. She also had a number of hit songs including “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “Physical”.

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton has had a long career in music with “Jolene”, “Travelin’ Thru” and as the singer/songwriter of “I Will Always Love You”. She has starred in several films including “Nine to Five” (1980), “Rhinestone” (1984), “Steel Magnolias” (1989) and “Straight Talk” (1992).

Elvis Presley

The “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” not only had a career in music with such songs as “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes”, he also starred in a number of movies. Some of Elvis’ films included “Jailhouse Rock” (1957), “King Creole” (1958), “GI Blues” (1960), “Blue Hawaii” (1961) and “Viva Las Vegas” (1964).

Prince

Not only did Prince star in 1984’s “Purple Rain”, he also won an Oscar for best original song for the film. The rock icon who sings “Kiss”, “Little Red Corvette” and “When Doves Cry” has also found time to star in such films as “Under the Cherry Moon” (1986) and “Graffiti Bridge” (1990).

Jerry Reed

Jerry Reed may be best known these days for his appearances in “Smokey and the Bandit” (1977) and The Waterboy. However, Reed is the voice behind the “Smokey and the Bandit” theme song “East Bound & Down” and the song “Guitar Man”.

Kid Rock

This bad boy of rock is behind the songs “Cowboy” and “Lonely Road of Faith”. Kid Rock also appeared in the comedy “Joe Dirt” (2001).

Kenny Rogers

“The Gambler” wasn’t only a song that Kenny Rogers sings, but it was also the name of the 1980 movie that he starred in. Rogers, who also sings “Islands in the Stream” and “Lady”, starred in the 1982 film “Six Pack”.

Diana Ross

Diana Ross has gained fame as a solo artist as well as a member of the iconic Supremes who sang “Stop in the Name of Love”. Ross received an Oscar nomination for her work in “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972) and also starred in the 1978 movie “The Wiz”.

Gavin Rossdale

As the front man for the band Bush, Gavin Rossdale found success with songs like “Adrenaline”. He also appeared in the movie “Constantine” (2005).

Ashley Simpson

Ashley Simpson, the singer of “Boyfriend”, has made several film appearances including “The Hot Chick” (2002) and “Undiscovered” (2005).

Jessica Simpson

The singer of “Irresistible” and the updated version of “These Books are Made for Walkin’” has ventured onto the big screen as well. Jessica Simpson has starred in “The Dukes of Hazzard” (2005) and “Employee of the Month” (2006).

Britney Spears

The “Oops I Did It Again” singer also had hits with “(Hit Me Baby) One More Time” and “Toxic”. Britney Spears also appeared in 2002’s “Crossroads” and in a cameo appearance in Austin Powers: Goldmember.

Spice Girls

While most people remember this British pop group for songs like “Wannabe”, the Spice Girls did star in their own 1997 movie entitled “Spice World”.

The Statler Brothers

The Statler Brothers not only briefly appeared in 1980’s “Smokey & the Bandit II”, they also sang “Charlotte’s Web” which was featured in the film. Their other hits include “Flowers on the Wall” and “Elizabeth”.

Gwen Stefani

This fashionable solo artist was also the front person for the band No Doubt with hit singles such as “Hella Good”. She appeared as Jean Harlow in 2004’s “The Aviator”.

George Strait

Most people know George Strait from his hit songs “The Chair” and “Heartland”. He also ventured onto the big screen in the 1992 movie “Pure Country”.

Mel Tillis

Singer/songwriter Mel Tillis is probably best known for his songs “Coca Cola Cowboy” and “Send Me Down to Tucson”. Tillis appeared in the movies “Smokey & the Bandit II” (1980) and “Cannonball Run” (1981).

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake has found music success as a member of the boy group ‘NSync and as a solo artist with such songs as “Sexy Back”. He has starred in several movies including “Alpha Dog” (2006), “Southland Tales” (2006) and “Black Snake Moan” (2007).

Travis Tritt

The man behind the songs “Here’s A Quarter (Call Someone Who Cares)” and “Anymore” has also appeared in a few films. Travis Tritt made appearances in “The Cowboy Way” (1994) and “Blues Brothers 2000”.

Tina Turner

This music icon has had chart topping hits with “Proud Mary” and “Private Dancer”. Tina Turner has also appeared on the big screen in the films “Tommy” (1975), “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”, “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985) and “Last Action Hero” (1993).

Don Williams

This country legend is the voice behind the songs “Tulsa Time” and “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend”. He appeared in the 1980 movie “Smokey & the Bandit II”.

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