The real School of Rock: I made a hit album with my students

In the 1970s, Hans Fenger – a free-spirited rock wannabe – spent his days making music in Vancouver, Canada. He had no grand plans except making it as a star. But when he became a father, his responsibilities began to shift. He found himself teaching music at a school in a rural area called Langley, known as Western Canada’s Bible Belt. When a chance moment led him to teach them modern tunes from the radio, the school choir went from a handful of kids to a few hundred – and grew into a makeshift band.

In 1976 and 1977, Hans and his students recorded two concerts in the school gym covering songs by The Beach Boys, David Bowie and Paul McCartney. Records were pressed for the kids and their parents to take home. Hans left Langley and two decades later he received an unexpected phone call from a radio DJ. The Langley album had found its way onto the airwaves – and was about to have a second life.

In 2002, Hans reunited with his students – now all grown up – for a televised performance. And when screenwriter Mike White saw this documentary, he was inspired to create the film School of Rock, starring Jack Black as the teacher. Hans Fenger and his former student Darla Kendrick spoke to Mobeen Azhar.

Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producers: Elena Angelides and Edgar Maddicott
Film archive: School of Rock / Paramount Pictures / Richard Linklater

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(Photo: A black and white photograph of a young Hans Fenger in 1976. He sits on a chair, playing guitar, with long hair and a moustache. Behind him, the school choir stand on tiered rows of benches. Credit: Kevin Finseth)