Film historian and Utah Tech Professor Stephen B. Armstrong details the fascinating production history of Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979). In his book I Want You Around: The Ramones and the Makings of Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (Backbeat, 2023).

Armstrong explains his inspiration and process behind compiling the first-ever, story-behind-the-story of the Roger Corman-produced American musical comedy film. Armstrong conducted interviews with many of the people who contributed to the movie’s creation, including director Allen Arkush, uncredited co-director Joe Dante, screenwriter Joseph McBride, producer Michael Finnell, Ramones’ tour manager Monte A. Melnick, actress P.J. Soles, and Corman himself. Learn the strange and remarkable saga of how a band called “the first true punk rock group” ended up starring in a beloved and enduring cult film.