The news comes as the six-parter started filming in Hamburg, Munich and Liverpool.
The series leads include Rhys Mannion, who starred in the suspense drama It Is in Us All, as John Lennon; Liverpudlian singer/songwriter Ellis Murphy as Paul McCartney; Rivals star Louis Landau as Stu Sutcliffe; and newcomers Harvey Brett as George Harrison and Patrick Gilmore as Pete Best.
The story is inspired by German artist, musician, and record producer Klaus Voormann's autobiography. Voormann was a close associate of The Beatles from their Hamburg days onwards.
According to the BBC's media centre, Hamburg Days is set in the 1960s in the smoke-filled clubs of Hamburg's St Pauli red-light district.
The programme will trace the remarkable transformation of a group of teenagers into one of the world’s most iconic musical acts, the Independent report.
A synopsis reads: “In the smoke-filled clubs of Hamburg’s St. Pauli’s red-light district, an
inexperienced young rock ‘n’ roll band from Liverpool collide with two young artists, Klaus Voormann and Astrid Kirchherr. Together they help spark a transformation that turns a scrappy group of teenagers into the greatest music phenomenon the world has ever known: The Beatles.”
Based on the book of the same name, co-authored by German musician Klaus Voormann and German photographer Astrid Kirchherr, the series is set against the backdrop of Hamburg’s St Pauli red-light district in the early 1960s.
The original publication, released in 1999, documented Voormann and Kirchherr’s time with the band before their global ascent.
Klaus Voormann, 87, will serve as a consultant on the "fascinating" new series, which the broadcaster acquired from UK-based independent film and television company Turbine Studios.
The series will be helmed by German director Christian Schwochow, known for his work on Netflix’s The Crown, with Bafta-winner David Holmes, who contributed to Killing Eve and the Ocean’s franchise, curating the music. Astrid Kirchherr, remembered for her early photographs of The Beatles, passed away in 2020.
Sue Deeks, Head of Scripted Pre-buy Acquisitions at the BBC, says: “Hamburg Days is the fascinating story of how, in the space of two short years, a raw young band from Liverpool honed their music skills in Hamburg, before returning home to become an overnight worldwide success. It is an incredible story, accompanied (of course) by an amazing soundtrack!”
"Hamburg Days" will focus on the original line-up of John Lennon, Sir Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Stuart Sutcliffe, and Pete Best during their pivotal period in Germany. The series is scheduled to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The series is among a number of Beatles projects, with Martin Scorsese releasing a documentary about the Fab Four’s first US tour. The Scorsese-produced Disney+ film Beatles ‘64 was directed by David Tedeschi and will stream exclusively from the online platform from 29 November 2024.
Elsewhere, four feature film biopics about each individual member of the group are being made by director Sam Mendes.
Paul Mescal will play Paul McCartney, Joseph Quinn will play George Harrison, Barry Keoghan will play Ringo Starr, and Harris Dickinson will play John Lennon.
Last year Screenrant Ranked Every Song In Beatles '64
The soundtrack of the Disney+ documentary Beatles '64 features many original songs and covers by The Beatles and classic rock songs performed by their American idols.
"All My Loving (Cover)" by The Beatles – 2:00: A modern, stripped-down cover of the classic Beatles song "All My Loving" plays at the beginning of the documentary.
"She Loves You (Live)" by The Beatles – 3:30: This classic Beatles song plays over footage of The Beatles originally arriving in the United States via plane. The live performance is taken from their concert in Washington D.C.
"Please Please Me" by The Beatles – 22:30: John Lennon and The Beatles listen to their classic tune on the radio in their hotel room in New York City.
"Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying" by Gerry and The Pacemakers – 24:00: This 1963 pop song by the British beat group Gerry and The Pacemakers who, like The Beatles, gained popularity in England.
"In My Life" by The Beatles – 25:30: This timeless Beatles song plays over a series of old photographs of The Beatles in the documentary.
"Tutti Frutti" by Little Richard – 29:00: Footage of Little Richard singing and performing his iconic song "Tutti Frutti" is included around the 29-minute mark.
"Tutti Frutti (Cover)" by Pat Boone – 29:30: Little Richard discusses his disapproval of a straight-edge singer Pat Boone covering his classic soul song.
"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles – 32:00: This classic Beatles song plays briefly around the 32-minute mark.
"She Loves You (Studio)" by The Beatles – 36:30: The Beatles listen to another of their classic songs on a portable radio. The song continues over footage of their numerous fans waiting for them out on the street.
"I've Been Good To You" by The Miracles – 38:30: Ringo requests this classic song by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles on Murray K's radio station. An exclusive interview with Robinson is featured in the documentary. He speaks on the impact of The Beatles.
"You've Really Got a Hold On Me" by The Miracles – 39:30: The Beatles covered this classic track by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles on their 1963 album With The Beatles.
"Yesterday (Live Cover)" by The Miracles – 42:00: The Beatles and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles shared music during the 1960s. The Miracles performed The Beatles' iconic song "Yesterday" live on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1968.
"Till There Was You" by The Beatles – 45:00: This classic Beatles song appears around the 45-minute mark in Beatles '64. The Beatles are being driven in a car as swarms of their screaming fans approach them.
"Love Me Do" by The Beatles – 50:00: Another classic Beatles song plays around the 50-minute mark in the documentary. The Beatles actually listen to the song on a portable radio as Murray K is on the phone with representatives of The Ed Sullivan Show, who are very excited to introduce America to The Beatles.
"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles – 53:00: One of the most famous Beatles songs plays again later in the documentary around the 58:30 mark through the radio. The film captures rare footage of The Beatles leaving their hotel room to perform on The Ed Sullivan Show.
"I Saw Her Standing There" by The Beatles – 55:00: Footage of The Beatles' groundbreaking performance on The Ed Sullivan Show plays as the band sings "I Saw Her Standing There." The song is accompanied by a fan's naturally mesmerized reaction to witnessing The Beatles on her television for the first time.
"I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles – 58:30: Footage of The Beatles' groundbreaking performance on The Ed Sullivan Show plays as the band sings "I Wanna Hold Your Hand." It was the final of five songs that The Beatles performed during their American television debut.
"Money (That's What I Want) by Barrett Strong – 61:00: This song plays around the 1-hour 1-minute mark in the documentary as The Beatles hit a dance club and have themselves a night out in New York City. The Beatles covered this song on With The Beatles in 1963.
"From Me To You" by The Beatles – 68:00: Live footage of The Beatles playing "From Me To You" plays around the 68-minute mark. The song is played in its entirety.
"Long Tall Sally (Cover)" by The Beatles – 75:00: This original Little Richard song was covered by The Beatles during their live concert in Washington. It was released on their 1964 album Past Masters, Vol. 1 & 2.
"Baby It's You" by The Beatles – 79:30: This classic Beatles song plays over archive footage of The Beatles being their typically goofy selves in front of the video camera. The footage shows how naturally entertaining they were without even trying.
"Twist and Shout" by The Beatles – 85:00: John Lennon leads The Beatles on this classic track during another live televised performance. They appeared again on The Ed Sullivan Show on February 23, 1964 after making their debut on February 9.
"She Said She Said" by The Beatles – 90:00: Legendary composer Leonard Bernstein compliments and breaks down The Beatles' song "She Said She Said" off their 1966 album Revolver. Bernstein states that he is a strong supporter of The Beatles.
"It Won't Be Long" by the Beatles – 92:00: Another classic track off of With The Beatles plays toward the end of the documentary.
"This Boy" by The Beatles – 93:30: Part of a live performance of "This Boy" plays toward the end of the documentary. It can be found in 1963's The U.S. Albums and Past Masters, Vol. 1 & 2.
"Roll Over Beethoven" by The Beatles – 102:00: The Beatles cover this classic Chuck Berry song during a live performance at the very end of the documentary over the end credits.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic 1964 Beatles North American Tour, Gottahaverockandroll.com are proud to present The Beatles Contract Archive for the 1964 North American Summer Tour, Signed by Brian Epstein - Featuring 48 Contracts & Other Important Correspondence.
Included in this historic collection are 24 performance contracts signed by Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein or NEMS employee Bernard Lee for every city The Beatles performed in during their historic North American tour from August 19 to September 18, 1964.
Each contract also comes with the rider signed by either Brian Epstein or Bernard Lee. Missing is Kansas City, MO on September 17, 1964 due to it being an “add-on” concert after the tour was set. All of the performance contracts come with separate signed riders except the show in Las Vegas, Nevada on August 20, 1964.
While some performance contracts have surfaced for both the 1965 and 1966 tours, NONE have ever surfaced in a public auction for the 1964 tour making this archive a historic Smithsonian-type collection. All of the riders contain the infamous “Desegregation Clause.”
