The eye-catching introduction for a documentary celebrating five decades of music on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) showcases the signature touch of a musician—specifically, one with a deep understanding of rhythm and sound.
This vibrant montage features a surprising array of performances, blending acts like R.E.M. with Morris Day, Rick James with Duran Duran, and even Hanson with Cher. Filmmaker and musician Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who honed his skills as a DJ, expertly navigated musical tempos and keys to create a seamless auditory experience.
The exhilarating project took nearly a year to compile, initially running 17 minutes before editing reduced it to about five minutes. Questlove reflects on his unique perspective, saying, “I thought, what am I going to add to the table that’s different from anybody else?” He believes his musical background gives him an advantage in documentary storytelling.
The special, titled “Ladies and Gentlemen … 50 Years of SNL Music,” is broadcast on NBC and will be available for streaming on Peacock the following day. Given the extensive nature of SNL’s musical legacy, viewers can expect to feel nostalgic about performances that didn’t make the cut.
For musicians, receiving an SNL invitation holds significant value. Questlove was enlisted for this project by Lorne Michaels, the show’s executive producer, shortly after Questlove’s documentary “Summer of Soul (…or, When the Revolution Could Not be Televised)” showcased his filmmaking capabilities.
Initially aiming for a straightforward approach by ranking the 50 best performances, Questlove pivoted to avoid the confines of subjective selection. He expressed a desire not to be seen as creating “the world according to Questlove.”
The documentary reflects upon the profound impact of SNL’s platform, with artists sharing their thoughts on the significance of being featured. Miley Cyrus stated, “It changes the way that you’re seen in a way that no other show can do.”
Viewers can look forward to entertaining behind-the-scenes stories, including how Rage Against the Machine incited concern from the U.S. Secret Service. Notably, the film revisits controversial moments such as Sinead O’Connor’s protest against the Pope and Kanye West’s infamous political outburst, providing context that unveils deeper layers of the narratives.
Additionally, the film highlights the seamless integration of music into SNL’s comedic sketches throughout the years, underscoring the synergy of both art forms. A memorable skit featured Fred Armisen as a wedding father who revives his punk band, showcasing a playful cameo by Dave Grohl on drums.
Oz Rodriguez, who co-produced the special with Questlove, remarked on how music has driven the show’s narratives in both an obvious and nuanced manner.
Questlove noted that many iconic moments arose from initial hesitation. For instance, Eddie Murphy was reluctant to portray James Brown in a skit set at a hot tub party, while Joe Piscopo had concerns about Frank Sinatra’s potential reaction to his impersonation in a duet.
Furthermore, Jimmy Fallon was initially apprehensive about engaging with Mick Jagger regarding a skit that involved a mirror reflection, which turned out to be pivotal in Fallon’s career evolution. Questlove connected this moment to his own journey, asserting that it ultimately led to his band, the Roots, becoming the house band for Fallon’s “Tonight Show.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Questlove, age 54, credits SNL as a vital component of his musical education.
Growing up in Philadelphia, he was restricted by his parents to educational or music-related television programs. They would often wake him at unusual hours to catch performances on SNL or to watch the late-night music show “Soul Train.”
The documentary pays homage to the eclectic musical guests in the early years of SNL, interviewing the late music producer Hal Willner and showcasing an unusual, silent audience reaction to Captain Beefheart’s unique performance. Questlove shared, “Watching ‘SNL’ those first seasons gave me a musical vocabulary that I don’t think would have happened on its own.”
As part of the preparation for this documentary, Questlove amassed 50 years of episodes on his computer, studying them extensively and taking detailed notes on performances that piqued his interest. This thorough approach allowed him to rediscover iconic musical moments, including a retrospective of rap artists from Kendrick Lamar back to the earliest rap performance on the show by Funky 4+1, introduced by Debbie Harry in 1981.
Some considerable musical highlights discussed in the documentary include Steve Martin’s memorable “King Tut” performance and the legendary “more cowbell” sketch, as well as Neil Young’s powerful rendition of “Rockin’ in the Free World.” However, due to time constraints and the prevalence of these moments in other works, they do not feature prominently in this film.
Questlove expressed a potential for future sequels due to the expansive musical history he sought to cover. His connection with SNL runs deep; he has participated in skits, performed live with the Roots, and attended shows as an audience member, although he has yet to perform as a musical guest. Nevertheless, he looks forward to future opportunities, noting, “I still have dreams.”
