From the very inception of Saturday Night Live, this iconic show has been a haven for a diverse array of talented Musical Guests. They have graced the Studio 8H stage, ranging from globally renowned artists to emerging acts on the cusp of stardom. Sifting through the extensive SNL archives to share its rich musical tapestry is a mammoth task, and Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson is the perfect person for this monumental job. He is at the helm of NBC’s upcoming documentary, “Ladies & Gentleman … 50 Years of SNL Music.”

The Gateway to Musical History

To catch the musical magic of Saturday Night Live, one can tune in on Saturdays at 11:30/10:30c on NBC and Peacock. The streaming platform Peacock offers the convenience of watching the show the next day. This allows viewers to immerse themselves in the world of SNL music at their own pace.Co-directed by Oz Rodriguez, this SNL music documentary is a treasure trove. It features over 50 interviews with today’s biggest music artists and icons who have performed in the show’s early days. Names like Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Paul Simon, and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels grace these interviews. Alongside them are current and former SNL writers, cast, and crew such as Conan O’Brien, Maya Rudolph, and Bill Hader. According to a statement from NBC, the three-hour special broadcast event is set to unveil “untold stories behind the culture-defining, groundbreaking and news-making musical performances, sketches and cameos of the past 50 years.”

The Roots of Musical Excellence

Academy Award-winning director Questlove co-helms the “50 Years of SNL Music” doc. As he stated in a statement, “Everyone knows the most famous SNL appearances, whether it’s Elvis Costello, Prince or the Beastie Boys, but they’re just the tip of a vast iceberg.” The process of delving into the incredible archival footage was like stepping into a time machine. Questlove is thrilled to have embarked on this journey and now gets to share it with the world.The Roots drummer, record producer, author, and Tonight Show bandleader’s 2022 film on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival, “Summer of Soul,” won the Academy Award for Best Documentary. His famous record collection, which spans 170,000 albums, and his ownership of more than 600 episodes of the classic music variety show “Soul Train” speak volumes about his passion for music. It’s safe to say that he is a true pop culture archivist, and “Ladies & Gentleman … 50 Years of SNL Music” is bound to be a captivating and comprehensive exploration of musical moments curated from over 900 episodes.

Featuring the Musical Greats

The doc will showcase interviews with past SNL Musical Guests who have left an indelible mark. Names like Miley Cyrus, Bad Bunny, Paul Simon, Mick Jagger, Tom Morello, Kacey Musgraves, Jack White, DJ Breakout, Elvis Costello, Billie Eilish & Finneas, Dave Grohl, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, Dua Lipa, Darryl DMC McDaniels, Olivia Rodrigo, MC Sha-Rack, Chris Stapleton, Justin Timberlake, and Lee Ving grace these interviews.It will also feature members of SNL’s creative team over the years. Lorne Michaels, Fred Armisen, Conan O’Brien, Eli Brueggemann, Jane Curtin, Jimmy Fallon, Al Franken, Josiah Gluck, Bill Hader, Steve Higgins, Marci Klein, Melanie Malone, Tom Malone, Mary Ellen Matthews, Eddie Murphy, Ego Nwodim, Liz Patrick, Leon Pendarvis, Lenny Pickett, Joe Piscopo, Andy Samberg, Brian Siedlecki, Akiva Schaffer, Paul Shaffer, Sarah Sherman, Howard Shore, Robert Smigel, Jorma Taccone, Kenan Thompson, Maya Rudolph, Hal Willner, and Bowen Yang have all played a part in shaping SNL’s musical legacy.MC Sha-Rack and DJ Breakout hold a special place in SNL music history. They were members of The Funky 4 Plus One, who were the first rap group to perform on national television on February 14, 1981. And they did it on Saturday Night Live.

Watching the Musical Celebration

The three-hour event of “50 Years of SNL Music” premieres on Monday, January 27, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. It can be streamed on Peacock the next day. This SNL 50 music documentary is just one part of Saturday Night Live’s sprawling 50th anniversary celebration in early 2025. Peacock has announced a four-part documentary series, “Beyond Saturday Night,” while NBC will air a three-hour primetime special on Sunday, February 16. This ensures that fans will have ample opportunities to celebrate and relive the musical moments that have defined SNL over the past 50 years.