Episode 24: Cameron Crowe, Oscar-Winning Writer/Director (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) Talks with Says Who Sports

Says Who Sports with John Dauphin

Oscar-Winning Writer/Director Cameron Crowe (Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, Fast Times at Ridgemont High) talks with Says Who Sports about a celebrated career that was launched when he became the youngest writer ever for Rolling Stone as a teenager and traveled with the biggest rock bands in the world, including the Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin, wrote the best-selling novel Fast Times at Ridgemont High and later wrote the screenplay for the movie, wrote and directed such films as Say Anything, Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous, won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, won a Grammy Award, was nominated for a Tony Award, directed acclaimed music documentaries about Pearl Jam and David Crosby, created the Showtime series Roadies, and much more!
Crowe’s directorial debut as a teenager, the long-lost and newly released Heartbreakers Beach Party, about the legendary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and the hijinks and high-energy surrounding the making of their third album, Long After Dark, was banned by MTV after one airing in the summer of 1983 due to what the network generally described as inappropriate reckless content. Crowe and producing partner Greg Mariotti, along with Petty’s daughter, Adria, have now brought the film to theaters and streaming in all its early Petty-era glory.
Crowe shares special stories and anecdotes about the making of the movie, including Petty’s self-professed connection to Jeff Spicoli, Crowe’s iconic lovable stoner character played by Sean Penn in Fast Times. Crowe also shares memories from his time on the road with the Allman Brothers Band in the early Seventies and recalls the magic of what it felt like to be standing onstage watching the band play four hour shows, and his gratitude for guitarist Dickey Betts for trusting him and opening the "band access" door to Crowe.
Crowe, who is working on a film with/about legendary singer/songwriter Joni Mitchell, shares nuggets about his friendship with Mitchell, including the profound impact her music had on a young Crowe growing up in a household where rock music was essentially off-limits, and the wisdom he has gained from Mitchell via their conversations.
Crowe discusses the making of Fast Times at Ridgemont High, including battles with the studio to release the film and the unexpected and mind-blowing crowd reaction to the movie in a theater on Opening Weekend. Crowe pays much respect to director Amy Heckerling, who championed Fast Times and led the way for directors including an up-and-coming John Hughes in the making of teen films in that era. Crowe also talks about Penn’s immense impact on the film, including witnessing Penn’s supreme confidence and skill as a young actor and his unique approach to playing the role of Spicoli.
Crowe shares special memories of the making of Jerry Maguire, including humorous moments on the set with sports agent mentor Leigh Steinberg, his respect for and friendship with former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe, who inspired Crowe in his creation of the fictional character that played the quarterback and prospective top NFL draft pick in the movie, and the awe-inspiring skills of actor Tom Cruise, who played the title character and whom Crowe describes as committed in the strongest way to understanding and respecting the roles of all members of the movie-making team and to helping Crowe realize his vision for the film.
Crowe also discusses much about Almost Famous, including the influence on the movie of those nights he spent as a teenager watching from the stage as the Allman Brothers Band played marathon shows.