For 50 years and counting, Saturday Night Live has housed some of the best music performances. To chronicle the history of the musical of the renowned sketch show, Questlove will direct a forthcoming documentary about the performances, reports Deadline.
Titled Ladies & Gentlemen, 50 Years of SNL Music, the documentary is slated to premiere on January 27, just before the celebration of the show’s 50 anniversary. It will premiere on Peacock the following day.
The doc will feature never-before-seen footage and untold stories behind the “musical performances, sketches, and cameos of the past 50 years.” Also, the three-hour special will feature interviews with cast members, past and present, writers, and musical acts.
Bad Bunny, DJ Breakout, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, MC Sha-Rock, Paul Simon, Justin Timberlake, Jack White, and many more will appear in the doc.
In a statement, Questlove expressed his excitement about the upcoming documentary.
“Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances. Whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince, or the Beastie Boys. But they’re the tip of a huge iceberg,” Thompson said. “The process of going back through the incredible archival footage was like being in a time machine, DeLorean or other. I’m so happy I went on the trip and now get to share it with everyone.”
Questlove is no stranger to the world of documentaries. The Roots co-founder is putting the finishing touches on SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius). The doc explores the legacy of funk icons Sly & The Family Stone. Recently, it was announced that it will be featured at the Sundance Film Festival next year.
In 2021, Questlove made his directorial debut, Summer of Soul, a documentary centered on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The highly acclaimed doc earned him an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
On the music and TV side, Quest remains the musical director of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
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