Top Ten Musician Cameos In Film / TV

By Brent Chittenden

We’ve done a number of lists involving actors in music and musicians in movies, etc, etc, but this one is a little different. This week, we’re looking at cameos in film and tv by musicians who are were just kind of blink and you missed it. Small parts, sometimes themselves or a version of themselves. Some of these are well known, others… maybe not so much. But hey, this might make a great theme for a rainy day movie weekend. You could even invite me… you know… if you wanted to… here’s the top ten.

10) Chris Martin in Shaun of the Dead

It’s so quick, you kind have to look for it but at around the 12 sec mark, Chris Martin is a zombie in blue jeans…wait… that’s a great title for an album!

9) The Mighty Mighty Bosstones in Clueless

This film has become a cult favorite amongst people from the 90’s and honestly, it’s pretty decent. The Bosstones play an out of town frat party where the main characters end up. (Unfortunately, the only clip I could find was the one above… it does go longer then that though).

8) ZZ Top in Back to the Future 3

Not exactly themselves but maybe ZZ Top are playing their ancestors, hence where the band got the idea for the song to contribute to the BTTF 3 soundtrack?

7) Tom Petty in The Postman

It’s nice to know that even in a post apocalyptic world, Tom Petty is still sort of famous and still pretty awesome. On a side note, this was the only good part of The Postman.

6) Billy Idol in The Wedding Singer

One of my favourite cameos in a film ever, Billy Idol helps Adam Sandler win the girl and he does it just by being himself.

5) Huey Lewis in Back to the Future

The first film had this great cameo from Huey telling The Pinheads that they are too loud. And then I guess he stole their song and made a lot of money off of it. First (or second depending on your views on time travel) Chuck Berry, then Huey Lewis. Marty gets ripped off a lot.

4) Robert Smith in South Park

Possibly one of the weirdest and most brilliant cameos ever, Robert Smith helps South Park defeat a Mecha-Barbara Streisand… and he also kicks Cartman in the nuts, what more could you want?

3) Alice Cooper in Wayne’s World

I love Alice Cooper. He has the best episode of The Muppet Show under his belt and one of the best film cameos ever. The best part is, I can completely see this happening but probably after a round of golf.

2) Bruce Springsteen in High Fidelity

Springsteen give some sage like advice to John Cusack… which reminds me of one of the best cameos of all time.

1) Johnny Cash as The Coyote in The Simpsons

Never a wiser space coyote has there ever been even if he was induced by spicy chilli.  Johnny Cash just owned this part and out of the huge amount of cameos The Simpsons has done over the years, this is by far my favourite.

Now it’s your turn. Which musician cameos do you enjoy? Please feel free to leave yours down below in the comments section!