Clint Eastwood Reveals His Picks for Music’s Greatest Bands

For many, the name Clint Eastwood might bring to mind classic Westerns or gritty crime flicks, but in the music world, it’s hard to ignore the track that borrowed his name. Gorillaz’s 2001 hit, with its catchy chorus and nod to Eastwood’s film legacy, became a staple of the early 2000s. The song’s hypnotic lines—

“I ain’t happy, I’m feeling glad / I got sunshine in a bag,”

—echo the moodiness of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly, and the tune itself climbed to number four in the UK charts, eventually going double platinum. Despite this strong musical association, few have stopped to wonder what Eastwood himself makes of the music scene.

Turns out, music has always been a big part of Eastwood’s life. As a kid, he picked up the piano, and by 1962, he’d even released a cowboy tune called ‘Rowdy’. Sure, it was tied to his TV role as Rowdy Yates in Rawhide, but it set a pattern for Eastwood—he’d often get involved in the music for his films, sometimes working alongside his son Kyle, who’s a talented muso in his own right. Eastwood’s interest in music didn’t stop there; he’s also had a crack at directing music biopics. Bird, his take on Charlie Parker’s life, was anything but straightforward, and Jersey Boys brought the story of the famous group to the big screen, featuring many of the original stage cast. His love for jazz is clear in the lively, sometimes showy pace of these films.

Eastwood’s Musical Roots and Film Influence

Eastwood isn’t just a Hollywood legend—he’s got serious musical chops, too. Over the years, he’s rubbed shoulders with plenty of big names in the industry. So, when it comes to who he reckons are the top dogs in music, his opinion carries a bit of weight. The question came up during a chat about Jersey Boys. When asked why he hadn’t tackled a Frank Sinatra biopic, Eastwood responded with a bit of dry wit:

“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?”

With that, Eastwood showed he’s got a foot in both camps—the world of film and the world of music. His picks? The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Hard to argue with that.

Looking Ahead: The Beatles on the Big Screen

Eastwood’s choices seem spot on, especially with the much-hyped Sam Mendes project on the horizon. In 2028, fans can look forward to not just one, but four separate Beatles biopics, each focusing on a different member of the band. It’s a shame Eastwood won’t be behind the camera for these, but you can bet he’ll be keen to see them, just like the rest of us punters.

Until then, there’s always that Gorillaz track to spin—still as addictive as ever, and a cheeky reminder of Eastwood’s unexpected influence on modern music.