Music Biopics Begging to be Made

Stories based on real life can often be much more inspiring than fiction and films based around superheroes. They can also be much more extraordinary than fiction-- especially stories that revolve around musicians and groups who themselves were larger than life. While the success of "Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman" have popularized biopics over the last two years, there are still countless incredible musicians who often go overlooked or whose stories truly have to be seen to be believed.

The Rolling Stones

With a consistent career that has spanned almost six decades, it's understandable that a movie about the blues-inspired band has so far only floated around rumors and speculations. The Rolling Stones' longevity, along with their changing roster of members over the years would no doubt be difficult to cover in an under two hour runtime. Though frontman Mick Jagger's seductive androgyny and stage presence, paired with the legendary rock and roll hedonism of guitarist Keith Richards is unbelievably tempting to watch in a film setting. It would also all but guarantee an R-rating, though anything less for a movie about The Rolling Stones would not do the group the justice it deserves. At the peak of the rumors, it was reported around 2014-2016 that Harry Styles was said to be in the running to play Mick Jagger, citing the likeness between the musicians at the time. Though the band can be seen briefly portrayed in films such as "Cadillac Records" (2008) and "Get on Up" (2014), The Rolling Stones have yet to have their own film. They are however still kept busy by still touring and selling out stadiums even after 50 years.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

A name that, in general, deserves more recognition than it's ever gotten. Truly one of the most extraordinary and important women in music whose legacy is overshadowed by giants such as Elvis Presley and The Beatles. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a gospel musician and guitarist who gained popularity in the 40s. Over the next decade, her unique style of guitar playing, songwriting, and creativity would pioneer and become rock and roll. She was the ironclad bridge between the blues/gospel and the new and unruly genre of rock and roll. Even at the age of 49, she was broadcast on BBC in 1964 playing her guitar and singing in front of massive crowds. Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a black woman, is responsible for one of the largest music genres in the world and creating a tree of the most influential musicians of the past century. In a world that continues to underestimate and overwhelm black people-- especially black women constantly, a story as extraordinary as Sister Rosetta's is one that demands to be told. Also, there are likely a large portion of rock enthusiasts who didn't know about or don't want to admit that the genre is the result of a black woman, which is all the more reason to tell her story.

The Beatles 

While this one may seem the most obvious choice, that is exactly why it is mentioned. Little explanation is needed as to the influence and success in their career as well as their legacy to this day. Although there have been movies that center heavily around the discography and mythology of The Beatles, such as "Across the Universe" (2009) and "Yesterday" (2019), a traditional biopic style film covering the career of arguably the most well known band in music history, has yet to be made. "Nowhere Boy" is a film from 2009 that may fit the definition however. The movie takes place during the genesis of the band and follows a young John Lennon (played by "Kick-Ass"’s Aaron Johnson) during his troubled adolescence which leads him to find an escape in music as well as meet the soon-to-be Beatles. Interestingly, throughout the 1960's there were several critically acclaimed films that documented the life of The Beatles' in a scripted setting ("Help!" (1965) ,"A Hard Day's Night" (1964)) as well as the legendary art film "Yellow Submarine" (1968). Obviously, the story of The Beatles is not an obscure or undocumented one, though a film covering the short lived but tumultuous lifespan of the Beatles that is similar to the style of biopics seen through the 2010s would undoubtedly be a captivating watch.