Those are the three primary reasons why you need to rent It Might Get Loud featuring the interwoven stories of all three and how they came to be uniquely linked forever to the electric guitar and rock and roll.

And, there are more reasons which I’ll outline below.

4. Headley Grange – This is a mythical place in Led Zeppelin lore and history.  It was here that the band recorded much of Led Zeppelin IV and parts of posthumous albums.

Set in the East Hampshire countryside, the film features several scenes in which Jimmy Page returns to the stately home and points to the exact location at the bottom of the entrance stairwell where Bonzo’s drum kit was set up for maximum sonic effect.   Page, his white hair in a stylish pony tail,  also strolls the gardens of the estate; the very place where Robert Plant famously remarked that he wrote most of the lyrics to Stairway to Heaven there in one afternoon.

5. Mount Temple Comprehensive School – This is the Dublin high school where Larry Mullin Jr. posted an item on the school bulletin board, seeking band mates to start a rock band.  Hopefully, you know the rest of the story and what happened next.

In the film, we follow The Edge as he revisits the school and points out the location of the bulletin board as well as a music room in which U2 first rehearsed and slowly began to learn their instruments after school had finished for the day and only after they had cleared the desks to one side of the room.

Listening to The Edge recount the early days of U2 and watching him effortlessly add layer upon layer of ringing effects on his vintage Explorer was a rare pleasure.  Often overshadowed and out talked by Mr. Hewson, this film allows The Edge space to tell U2’s story and one gradually comes to the realization that this band will likely never again reach the creative heights they enjoyed with Achtung Baby, Zooropa & Passengers.

6. A farm in Franklin, Tennessee – This is Jack White’s current residence after retreating from Detroit.

The film opens with White fastidiously crafting a rudimentary electric guitar out of a block of wood, some wire strung over a coke bottle and live electricity.  The results are good and LOUD.

Another scene shows White inside the main house of the farm banging on an upright piano; causing the camera to shake as his right foot hits the floor in rhythm to the primal tune he pounds out of the piano.

7.  A Burbank, California sound stage – White, Page and The Edge have gathered here to tell their stories, share some secrets and chord structures and riff on each others various songs.  There are smiles and nervous side glances all around as each listen to the other demonstrate their unique styles and signature riffs.   The Edge and White stand slack jawed as Page launches into the the legendary monster riffs of Whole Lotta Love.  Page also explains how the double necked Gibson came to being and why it was necessary on tour.

It didn’t get too loud in the end – but it did get really really good.

Trailer

So, after several failed job interviews for gainful employment to try and gather up some college tuition cash, the guy has to settle for a carny gig at the local amusement park, Adventureland.   Suffice to say, the script is nimble and the acting is top notch.  Kristin Steward turns in a superb performance as the troubled co-worker chick with a secret.

The soundtrack is also perfectly balanced and features authentic, well chosen period classic gems from the Replacements, Husker Du and Lou Reed.

Adventureland Trailer: