Did Mark Wahlberg Actually Sing in the Movie Rock Star?

If you’re a fan of the movie “Rock Star,” you might be wondering, did Mark Wahlberg actually sing in the film? The answer is yes and no. Let’s dive into the details.

Background Information

Released in 2001, “Rock Star” tells the story of Chris Cole (played by Mark Wahlberg), a tribute band singer who gets the chance to front his favorite heavy metal band, Steel Dragon. The movie was loosely based on the real-life experiences of Tim “Ripper” Owens, who went from singing in a Judas Priest tribute band to becoming the lead singer of Judas Priest.

The Songs

In “Rock Star,” Wahlberg sings all of his character’s parts for Steel Dragon’s original songs. However, for the classic rock covers that Steel Dragon performs, including songs by Bon Jovi and Kiss, Wahlberg lip-syncs to pre-recorded tracks by professional singers.

The Professional Singers

So who were these professional singers? Jeff Scott Soto provided vocals for most of Steel Dragon’s songs in the film, while Mike Matijevic (of the band Steelheart) lent his voice to two of the movie’s power ballads: “We All Die Young” and “Colorful.” Matijevic also served as a vocal coach for Wahlberg during filming.

The Controversy

Despite not singing all of his character’s parts in “Rock Star,” Wahlberg received top billing and was even nominated for a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor (he didn’t win). This led to some controversy among fans and critics who felt that Wahlberg was taking credit for something he didn’t actually do.

The Verdict

In conclusion, Mark Wahlberg did sing some of the songs in “Rock Star,” but not all of them. While he did a credible job with the material, professional singers were brought in to handle the more challenging numbers. Nonetheless, “Rock Star” remains a fun and entertaining movie for fans of ’80s metal and Wahlberg’s acting chops.

  • Key Takeaways:
  • Mark Wahlberg sang all of his character’s parts for Steel Dragon’s original songs in “Rock Star.”
  • For the classic rock covers that Steel Dragon performs in the film, Wahlberg lip-syncs to pre-recorded tracks by professional singers.
  • Jeff Scott Soto provided vocals for most of Steel Dragon’s songs in the movie, while Mike Matijevic (of Steelheart) sang two of the power ballads.