How Ron Howard immediately found a kindred spirit in Paul McCartney
Spanning four years and covering ground around the globe, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week — The Touring Years gave director Ron Howard the chance to understand just why The Beatles connected with so many people.
Howard’s award-winning career started as a child actor before shooting to stardom as Richie in Happy Days and then transitioning to directing TV and films in the 1980s. After winning dozens of awards (including two Oscars), Howard took on a new challenge when he decided to put together a documentary from the tumultuous touring years of one of the world’s most-loved bands.
After a decades-long career telling stories, Howard immediately found common ground with Paul McCartney when making Eight Days a Week, and they bonded over one shared trait: a strong work ethic.
“I really related to and respected Paul McCartney. What a work ethic. He loves it,” Howard told NME in a 2023 interview. “I feel that way about directing. I feel that way about telling stories.”
Howard described The Beatles’ ability to produce a staggering amount of music that evokes strong emotional responses from huge audiences. By directing a documentary about the band’s formative touring years, covering 1962 to 1966, Howard saw the changes in their work. From small Liverpool gigs at the Cavern Club to the band’s last full public concert at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, the Fab Four’s songs and the way they connected to audiences matured.
“As they evolved, it became clear to me [that] you could be in any frame of mind possible…and there’s a song they wrote that will speak to you very, very directly,” Howard said. The documentary features archival videos of the band touring around the world, and Howard curated the selections, from found fan footage to long swathes of concert recordings, to show this commitment to songwriting and resonating with audiences, whether in the UK or abroad.
However, despite being a lifelong fan, Howard didn’t necessarily know the band’s work inside out. Being from Southern California, Howard described The Beach Boys versus The Beatles rivalry of the 1960s, saying that eventually, The Beatles won out as his favourite, though he still loves both bands. Combing through The Beatles’ work, Howard discovered just how much he valued their lyrics, no matter what age he was while listening to them.
“What I began to understand was, even in those early records, those first hits, the writing is just brilliant,” the director said. The ability to transcend time and audience amazed Howard while he worked on the documentary. “I don’t care what mood, or what you’re going through, that’s the genius of the band and why their music is as relevant, in many ways, as it’s ever been.”
As a show-business expert with a career spanning six decades, Howard knows what works and what doesn’t, but more importantly, he knows what can stand the test of time. His love of storytelling and dedication to craft drive him, and after getting to know The Beatles through the ages, he found great company and a kindred spirit in one of the most important songwriters of our time.
Never Miss A Beat
The Far Out Beatles Newsletter
All the latest stories about The Beatles from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.