Billy Crudup Had an Epic Run-In with Robert Plant After ‘Almost Famous’
Billy Crudup has been acting since the ’90s. He’s played countless roles, but for many, he’ll always be Russell Hammond from 2000’s Almost Famous. The actor looked back on the…
Billy Crudup has been acting since the '90s. He's played countless roles, but for many, he'll always be Russell Hammond from 2000's Almost Famous.
The actor looked back on the role during an appearance on The View and recalled a fateful run-in with Robert Plant at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX.)
"I was walking into LAX, and I saw this...he's a huge, huge man and still has all the same hair. He was carrying a guitar and passing through the airport, " begins Crudup. "I thought, 'Oh, my God! That's Robert Plant! ... This is my chance to go up and talk to somebody from Led Zeppelin.' And maybe, by proximity, I'd feel those rock and roll vibes."
He continues, "I panicked, and I let him go by. I missed the opportunity, and I sat there kicking myself while I was waiting for the plane. I get on the plane and sitting just adjacent to me was Robert Plant and several assistants surrounding me and him."
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Despite this fateful seating, Crudup's nerves were still getting the best of him. He adds, "I spent the next five hours on the flight back panicked again thinking how am I going to broach the subject with him. So, finally, after we had landed, I was taking down my luggage, which wasn't in terrible shape, I just want to say. But Robert Plant took the opportunity to say, 'Well, I guess that's seen better days.'"
Crudup continued, "I wasted no time. I said, 'Hi, my name is Billy Crudup. I played Russell Hammond in 'Almost Famous.' I said 'I'm a golden god' in it.' He goes, 'Oh, that is you! That's my line!' And then I said, 'Well, it's my line now!' and walked off [the plane.]"
He concluded, "Hand-on-heart, the flight attendant said as I walked off, 'Oh, my! The two golden gods!' I was like, 'I guess I'm gonna retire. That's it for me.'"
This past week saw the 1995 film Empire Records trend on Twitter thanks to fans taking to the social media platform in celebration of "Rex Manning Day," which falls on April 8th in the film.
Considering this, it got us thinking of other music movies. Some are major hits and some are lesser-known titles, but here are 12 music movies everyone should watch.
'Empire Records'
New RegencyA band of misfits at an independent record store that's dealing with drama AND trying to prevent the store from being bought by a major corporate chain AND the soundtrack is incredible? Damn the man, indeed!
'Almost Famous'
ParamountEasily one of the most iconic music films of all time, 'Almost Famous' earned writer/director Cameron Crowe an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and rightfully so.
'High Fidelity'
Touchstone PicturesA music movie for music nerds by music nerds. Plus, Barry, played perfectly by Jack Black, has one of the best monologues ever when describing Stevie Wonder's "I Just Called To Say I Love You."
'Rock Star'
Warner Home VideoLoosely inspired by Tim "Ripper" Owens who replaced Rob Halford in Judas Priest after he left the band in 1991, 'Rock Star' has an inherent cheese-factor, but it's undeniably entertaining with a stellar soundtrack to boot.
'Airheads'
20th Century FoxThree not-so-bright musicians hold a radio station hostage (with plastic guns, no less) in order for their demo to get played on the air. Surprise! Wackiness ensues! Also, it's just a fun and funny movie that features the best cop joke of all time.
'Sing Street'
Artisan/LionsgateBased in 1980s Dublin, a teenage boy starts a band to win over a pretty girl. Add in a wise older brother to help guide the musical way, and you have one of the best music movies released in the past decade.
'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Criterion CollectionThe film adaptation of the hit off-Broadway play that eventually made it to Broadway and was a massive success, 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' follows the story of a trans frontwoman on a quest for fame after all of her songs were stolen to launch the career of a former musical partner and boyfriend.
'Once'
20th Century FoxIt's the classic tale of an Irish street performer meets a classically trained musician and discovers electric chemistry. The film features an incredibly beautiful original soundtrack and won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007.
'Velvet Goldmine'
LionsgateIt's like a glam version of 'Eddie and the Cruisers' but way better! Characters are definitely inspired by David Bowie and Iggy Pop, and the film features the incredible cast of Ewan McGregor, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Christian Bale, Toni Collette and Eddie Izzard.
'School of Rock'
ParamountIt's the movie that made you wish your substitute teacher was Jack Black and also a reminder of the power of music education.
'The Blues Brothers'
Universal Pictures Home EntertainmentAn obvious choice for this list, but there has to be at least one obvious pick on this list. Frankly, if you haven't seen 'The Blues Brothers,' stop reading this list and find a way to watch it.
'The Commitments'
RLJ EntertainmentThis is the third film on this list that's based in Ireland, and while 'Sing Street' and 'Once' are incredible films, they may not have happened without 'The Commitments,' which follows the formation of a soul band in the working-class neighborhoods of the northside of Dublin. (Side note: Glen Hansard who stars in 'Once' is in 'The Commitments' as lead guitarist "Outspan" Foster.)
