The effects of fidelity with "air guitar" in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure

Written by Michael Black

Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure is a story of two seniors in high school that are in danger of not passing their 12th grade history class, which would in turn lead to the demise of their band the Wyld Stallyns. Bill S. Preston Esquire and Ted Theodore Logan are dubbed "the great ones" by our futuristic narrator Rufus. Although they are musical amateurs at the time, the audience is let in that the Wyld Stallyns, if kept intact, will be the future of today's world and lead to harmony between music and life. Rufus goes back in time to help Bill and Ted pass history and keep Wyld Stallyns intact. Equipped with a time-traveling phone booth, Rufus gives Bill and Ted the means to bring back significant historical figures in order to pass their final presentation.

Bill and Ted live music; they philosophize by coping quotes such as "we're all just dust in the wind" and look up to the likes of Eddie Van Halen. Like many aspiring guitarists, the "air guitar" is a significant part of their musical arsenal that allows them to believe they can play just about anything while not actually even holding an instrument. Of course, anyone can play "air guitar" with little to no practice, it is an ability that is common place amongst most humans; however, in Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure the "air guitar" takes on a significant role in both symbolism and storytelling.

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