Tomorrow is the First Day of ``School of Rock'' as Soundtrack Hits Stores; Acclaimed Jack Black Film Opens Friday

Business Wire, Sept 29, 2003

Entertainment Editors/Music Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2003

"SCHOOL OF ROCK: MUSIC FROM & INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE" (Atlantic Records/WMG Soundtracks) hits stores nationwide tomorrow, September 30th. The acclaimed Paramount Pictures comedy, starring Jack Black, hits theatres across North America this Friday, October 3rd.

The "SCHOOL OF ROCK" album features rock classics from Led Zeppelin, The Who, The Ramones, Cream, T-Rex, The Doors and Stevie Nicks, alongside tracks from acclaimed new outfits The Darkness and The Black Keys. In addition, the collection contains original material from the film, including vocal excerpts from Jack Black, along with songs performed by the cast (backed by New York City-based garage rock sensations, the Mooney Suzuki).

The Jack Black/School of Rock performances include the first single, "School Of Rock," and a rousing album-closing cover of AC/DC's "It's A Long Way To The Top." Jack Black and members of the cast performed "School Of Rock" last Friday on NBC-TV's "Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and will perform the song tomorrow morning on "Live with Regis and Kelly."

The film has already garnered a string of rave advance reviews. Entertainment Weekly's Owen Gleiberman declares that "'The School of Rock' is a great, funny, joyous rock & roll fable ... a Hollywood movie with real magic in it." Newsweek's David Ansen proclaims, "'School of Rock' made me laugh harder than any movie I've seen this year ... Black gives a bravura, all-stops-out, inexhaustibly inventive performance ... He, and the movie, kick ass."

Produced by Scott Rudin and directed by Richard Linklater ("Waking Life," "Slacker," "Dazed and Confused"), Paramount Pictures' The School Of Rock stars Jack Black ("Shallow Hal," "High Fidelity") as rocker Dewey Finn, a hell-raising guitarist with delusions of grandeur. Kicked out of his band and desperate for work, he impersonates a substitute teacher and turns a class of fifth grade high-achievers into high-voltage rock and rollers. Joan Cusack portrays the prim principal of the prestigious private school where Black is grooming the kids for a local Battle of the Bands. The original screenplay was written by Mike White, who also co-stars along with Sarah Silverman.

"SCHOOL OF ROCK: MUSIC FROM & INSPIRED BY THE MOTION PICTURE" is produced by Jack Black, Richard Linklater, Randall Poster and Scott Rudin. The Executive Soundtrack Album Producer for WMG Soundtracks is Danny Bramson. The Executive Soundtrack Album Producers for Atlantic Records are Craig Kallman and Ron Shapiro.

For additional information, please see The Atlantic Group Web Site at www.atlantic-records.com.