Ron Howard to direct Fab Four documentary

Ron Howard is to take the helm of a new documentary about The Beatles, which will chart the band’s live performances – from their early days in Liverpool’s famous Cavern Club, to their last official concert at Candlestick Park, San Francisco in 1966.

Excluding the group’s unannounced appearance on the rooftop of Apple Studios, London in 1969, the band played a total of 166 shows, taking in 90 cities across 15 countries.

Howard, a life-long Beatles fan, has previously talked about his love of the Liverpool band.

“After I saw The Beatles on Ed Sullivan, all I wanted after that was a Beatles wig,” Howard recalled. “My parents said no, but then they gave me one for my 10th birthday.”

The as-yet-untitled documentary will make extensive use of concert footage, including film shot by fans and use mixes of soundboard recordings. Howard believes the film will contain between 12 and 20 songs.

Scott Munro
Louder e-commerce editor

Scott has spent 35 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in the summer of 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott keeps Louder’s buyer’s guides up to date, writes about the best deals for music fans, keeps on top of the latest tech releases and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more for Louder. Over the last 10 years, Scott has written more than 11,000 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from daily news and weekly features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, The Tragically Hip, Marillion and Rush.