Ozzy Osbourne was at the concert filming, as well as Nikki Sixx, Alice Cooper, and many other rock legends, where a 12 Step Meeting was held for extras working on the film.
The final song performed by the Chris Cole Band, "Colorful" is actually the voice of Brian Vander Ark, the song's composer, from his The Verve Pipe days.
Brad Pitt was originally offered the role of Chris 'Izzy' Cole, but turned it down due to creative differences was later replaced by Mark Wahlberg.
Tim "Ripper" Owens, on whom the movie is based, now owns a bar and restaurant in Akron, Ohio, and has various concerts of local bands, as well as classic stars, including himself. The bar was featured on Bar Rescue (2011). The bar has since closed after the remodeling and show.
The majority of the musicians in the movie are actual musicians: Mark Wahlberg fronted Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch; Jason Bonham (A.C., Steel Dragon drummer) is the son of John Bonham and was the drummer for Led Zeppelin; Jeff Pilson (Jorgen, Steel Dragon bassist) is the bassist for Dokken; Zakk Wylde (Ghode, Steel Dragon guitarist) has played with several bands, including Ozzy Osbourne and has his own band, Black Label Society; Blas Elias (Donny, Blood Pollution drummer) is the drummer of Slaughter; Brian Vander Ark (Ricki Bell, Blood Pollution bassist) is a singer and guitarist in The Verve Pipe; Nick Catanese (Xander Cummins, Blood Pollution guitarist) is a guitarist in Wylde's Black Label Society; Stephan Jenkins (Bradley, Black Babylon singer) is a singer for Third Eye Blind; Vitamin C (Guitarist outside the Steel Dragon mansion) is better known as Vitamin C; Myles Kennedy (Thor) joined Alter Bridge with ex-Creed members after leaving his band, The Mayfield Four, and has also sung for Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash. The majority of the songs are also played by 80's musicians, including Wahlberg's singing voice, which belongs to Mike Matijevic, lead singer of Steelheart, best known for their 1991 hit power ballad "I'll Never Let You Go". Neil Zlozower, a world famous rock photographer, plays the photographer in the scene where "Chris" does his first photo shoot with Steel Dragon. Steve Plunkett, singer for '80's rock band Autograph, co-wrote the song "Livin' the Life".