Wayne’s World was released on February 14, 1992 and quickly became one of the most iconic and memorable films to be born from an SNL skit in history. Not only is it still a delightful comedy today, but it also gave classic rock a bit of a boost when it was first released.
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Wayne’s World Put “Bohemian Rhapsody” Back on The Charts
Wayne and Garth (played by Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, respectively) brought Queen’s famed 1975 rock opera “Bohemian Rhapsody” back in style. In the film, the two beloved protagonists take to the Mirth Mobile and jam out to the song.
It ended up being a pretty profitable thing for Queen. The single was re-released upon the film’s debut, and it got a ton of new airplay. “Bohemian Rhapsody” made it to no. 2 on the Hot 100 for the first time in years, marking a renewed love for the band in the wake of frontman Freddie Mercury’s death in 1991. We’ve got Wayne’s World to thank for that, as well as Mike Myers, specifically.
According to lore, the studio originally wanted to use a song from rock outfit Guns N’ Roses for that famous headbanging tune. However, Myers was adamant about using “Bohemian Rhapsody”; so much so, that he threatened to quit if they didn’t use it.
Wayne’s World Gave Alice Cooper a Solid Comeback
The Godfather of Shock Rock made a noteworthy appearance in Wayne’s World, where he shows up to perform his then-new song “Feed My Frankenstein” and give Wayne and Garth an interesting lesson on Milwaukee history. His appearance in the film spawned the “we’re not worthy” meme and the legendary scene became an important part of the rock star’s legacy.
“I think we did it in two takes,” said Cooper of that famous scene from Wayne’s World in 2017. “They [Mike Myers and Dana Carvey] were doing everything they could to get me to break up. But they didn’t realize my iron will, so I went right through that dialogue and I think I surprised them.”
Cooper went on to say in an interview with Billboard that fans love to whip out that meme whenever he’s at an airport, and he’s fine with playing along.
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to watch Wayne’s World, the movie is available for streaming on Apple TV and several other streaming platforms.
Photo by Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank
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