Questlove Hosts Exclusive Screening Of ‘Ladies And Gentlemen… 50 Years Of SNL Music’ At NeueHouse Hollywood

The legendary artist shared insights on SNL's musical legacy during post-screening Q&A session

By Pratibha Pratibha linkedin_icon

NeueHouse Hollywood recently welcomed music icon Questlove for an exclusive screening of his latest documentary project, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music.’ The event offered attendees a first look at the film that chronicles the musical legacy of Saturday Night Live and its profound impact on popular culture.

The Instagram post shared by NeueHouse shows Questlove in conversation during the post-screening Q&A session, where members had the opportunity to engage directly with the legendary artist. The images capture Questlove speaking passionately about the documentary, which explores how SNL’s musical guests and performances have not only defined the show but continue to shape culture beyond it.

A Lifelong Snl Devotee

For Questlove, born Ahmir Thompson, this documentary represents the intersection of two lifelong passions. In a recent Instagram post, he revealed his deep connection to Saturday Night Live dating back to his childhood: “Most people know my Soul Train obsession. Most dunno my @nbcsnl obsession. From 1975-1981 Soul Train would come on at ONE in the morning AFTER SNL.”

He recalled how his parents allowed him to stay up late as a 5-year-old to watch both shows: “Thank god my family was hip enough to let their 5 year old kid wake up 12:30am to watch his fav show. It was a half hour early because most of my fav musicians were on SNL.”

This personal connection makes the documentary particularly meaningful for Questlove, who described it as “a love letter of sorts” to a show he knows “like the back of my hand.”

Star-studded Documentary Lineup

‘Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music’ features an impressive roster of interview subjects, including Mick Jagger, Justin Timberlake, Paul Shaffer, Jimmy Fallon, Elvis Costello, Dua Lipa, Eddie Murphy, Olivia Rodrigo, Dave Grohl, Jack White, Kacey Musgraves, Lorne Michaels, Miley Cyrus, DMC, Conan O’Brien, Billie Eilish, and numerous SNL cast members past and present.

The documentary is directed by Questlove himself alongside Oz Rodriguez, with executive production credits including Lorne Michaels, Questlove, and several others from his team at The Roots.

From Musician To Acclaimed Filmmaker

This project follows Questlove’s award-winning directorial debut with ‘Summer of Soul,’ which documented the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. That film earned him an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2022, establishing his credentials as not just a musician but also a skilled documentarian with a unique perspective on music history.

As the drummer and joint frontman for The Roots, Questlove has been a fixture in the music industry for decades. His band has served as the house band for ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ since 2014, giving him a front-row seat to the television industry and its intersection with musical performance.

What’s Next For The Documentary

According to Questlove’s social media posts, ‘Ladies and Gentlemen: 50 Years of SNL Music’ is scheduled to air on NBC on January 27, 2025, at 8 pm EST, with streaming availability on Peacock shortly afterward. The documentary aims to celebrate the half-century legacy of one of television’s most influential showcases for musical talent.

The screening at NeueHouse Hollywood represents an early preview for select audiences ahead of its broader release. Based on the images shared, the event drew significant interest, with attendees engaging in what appears to be a lively Q&A session following the film.

Questlove’s Busy Schedule

Beyond his documentary work, Questlove maintains an active presence across multiple projects. Recent Instagram posts show him celebrating fellow artists, including a tribute to Prince on his birth and death anniversaries (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016) and supporting Amanda Ngoc Nguyen’s New York Times bestselling book.

He’s also involved with The Roots Picnic, the annual music festival founded by his band, which continues to feature prominent artists across various genres.

The screening of ‘Ladies and Gentlemen… 50 Years of SNL Music’ at NeueHouse Hollywood offers a glimpse into Questlove’s ongoing exploration of music history and cultural legacy, cementing his role as not just a performer but a dedicated chronicler of American musical heritage.

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Questlove played drums on the critically acclaimed album 'Things Fall Apart,' released by The Roots in 1999, which solidified their status in the music industry.
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Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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