JAZZ ODYSSEY
In the legendary This Is Spinal Tap, the dim-witted British rockers unveil their new jazz approach at a gig where they are lower than a puppet show on the marquee. Funnily enough, some headbangers have gone on to explore their own real-life jazz adventures. Completely crazed Raven drummer Rob "Wacko" Hunter, known for having worn a hockey goalie's gear to protect himself when he smashed into his drums during the '80s, has since become Branford Marsalis's sound engineer, both for recording and gigs. Also, Testament thrash guitarist Alex Skolnick recently has played and toured with the Alex Skolnick Trio, which has recorded jazzy instrumental covers of classic hard-rock and metal tunes by the likes of Deep Purple, Scorpions, and Black Sabbath.

LIVE OR MEMOREX?
In Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, the goofy, time-­traveling SoCal dudes compete in a battle of the bands (with bands that were hijacked by their evil robotic doubles). While no one has yet had to face that peril in real life, some well-known bands have splintered into different versions and inspired recent lawsuits between various members over the right to use their name on tour, including the Doors, Ratt, and Saxon. On a parallel line of thought, Kiss manager Doc ­McGhee admitted in 2005 that the famous band might eventually tour without any original members. McKiss, anyone?

FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY