Eastwood Names Two Greatest Music Groups in History
The legendary filmmaker reveals his picks for the ultimate musical acts, drawing from decades of industry connections and his own musical background.
Clint Eastwood's connection to music runs deeper than most people realize. The Gorillaz track "Clint Eastwood" made his name synonymous with one of the 2000s' biggest hits, but the director's musical roots stretch back to childhood piano lessons and a 1962 cowboy single called "Rowdy."
From Piano Lessons to Film Scores
Music shaped Eastwood's creative vision long before he became a Hollywood icon. That early piano training evolved into hands-on involvement with film soundtracks, often collaborating with his son Kyle Eastwood, an accomplished musician. The director didn't just act and direct. He took control of musical elements across his projects.
His jazz passion shows clearly in films like "Bird," which followed Charlie Parker's story through a non-linear structure that matched the genre's improvisational spirit. "Jersey Boys" brought Broadway's original cast to recreate the Four Seasons' rise to fame. Both projects revealed Eastwood's deep understanding of musical storytelling.
The Ultimate Musical Hierarchy
During a Toronto Star interview about "Jersey Boys," Eastwood faced a pointed question. Why tackle New Jersey music instead of the "big kahuna" - a Frank Sinatra biopic? His response cut straight to the point: "Sure, like you're suggesting there's Frank Sinatra, and if you going to do top groups, what about the Beatles and the Stones and all that?"
Those two bands represent Eastwood's gold standard. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones sit at the summit of his musical mountain. Coming from someone who's met most industry legends, that carries weight.
Looking Ahead
Eastwood's Beatles prediction proved prophetic. Sam Mendes announced plans for four separate Beatles biopics in 2028, one focusing on each band member. The director won't be behind the camera this time, but he'll likely join audiences when those films hit theaters.
Meanwhile, that addictive Gorillaz track keeps spinning, connecting Eastwood's cinematic legacy to musical history in ways he probably never expected.