To look like a real rock band, the four actors in Stillwater rehearsed for four hours a night, five nights a week, for six weeks.
The film is director Cameron Crowe's semi-autobiographical account of life as a young Rolling Stone reporter. The actual group Crowe first toured with was The Allman Brothers Band. Gregg Allman distrusted him, and kept asking if he was a narc. Crowe was in a near-fatal plane crash while traveling with The Who. The character of Russell Hammond is partially based on Glenn Frey of Eagles.
Penny Lane asks William if he'd like to go to Morocco with her. He says, "Yes... ask me again." According to Cameron Crowe, "ask me again" was Patrick Fugit stepping out of character and asking Kate Hudson to repeat her lines for another take. Crowe liked the take as-is and kept it in the final cut.
Most films have music budgets of less than $1.5 million. This film featured over 50 songs, with a music budget of $3.5 million.
When Cameron Crowe's mother appeared on the set for a cameo, Crowe made every effort to keep her away from Frances McDormand, who was playing a character based on her, so McDormand's interpretation of the part wouldn't be swayed. When he left the set for a few minutes on the first day of shooting, he returned to find McDormand and his mother having lunch together.
Peter Frampton: member of the road crew for Humble Pie. In real life, Frampton was a member of Humble Pie from 1969 to 1971.
Jann Wenner: the man in the back of the cab William looks into after he runs out of the party after Penny. He is listed near the end of the movie credits as Legend in Cab.
Cameron Crowe: [O Sol é para Todos (1962)] Immediately after the opening credits, William Miller and his mother are having a discussion about Atticus Finch, the protagonist of "To Kill a Mockingbird".