(Image taken from imdb.com)
There has been a resurgence of older music unexpectedly visible on the Billboard’s Top 200 list this year — whether that be Queen, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Tom Petty, or Billy Joel. This sudden interest in older artists would be more shocking had Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and Yesterday not been released in theaters.
The films feature new perspectives and the live performances that are most likely responsible for the new, broadened audience interested in the intricacies of more classically trained artists. Almost as evidence, The Beatles’ “The White Album” is 180th on the list, followed by the Greatest Hits of Queen in the 23rd spot and Abbey Road, again by The Beatles, is 13th.
Bohemian Rhapsody, Yesterday, and Rocketman may be the titles of celebrated singles, but they have also become the names of popular, recently released movies of 2019. Bohemian Rhapsody, starring Rami Malek, recounts the development of the band Queen and the demise of Freddie Mercury, the former lead singer.
While trends are rarely timed strategically, the Queen biopic was first proposed in 2008. This fact logically and adequately explains the films tardy publication. Queen continued touring with star Paul Rogers as the lead singer who was then replaced by Adam Lambert. Concurrently, the original members of Queen had been searching for the actor to embody their well-loved, late colleague Freddie Mercury, as well as a director capable of producing such an impactful movie. An unfailing audience for Bohemian Rhapsody was never a concern considering the success of Queen.
Rocketman, starring Taron Egerton, similarly shows the progression of Elton John’s career in the entertainment industry as it extends into the present day. Both films are biopics with a comparable intent following publication.
Yesterday, starring Himesh Patel, is another film produced and released in 2019 with a similar purpose of praising the work of deserving artists; however, the film approached the task more indirectly than Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman had.
As described by IMDb, Yesterday is a narrative of a musician struggling to get the exposure he needs to propel his career forward. In his favor, he is also the only person to remember the renowned Beatles. It appears to his peers that the group had never existed. He is stupefied but takes advantage of the situation and performs the songs as if he wrote them.
I only address the above movies to adequately elaborate on the unique timing of their release. Why are films focused on the lives and careers of “outdated” or “irrelevant” musical artists being released in 2019?
Noticeably exhibited through passing decades, fads are cyclical: something or someone becomes sought-after, loses notability, and then ultimately regains popularity.
While adults assume millennial children want the newest iPhone, there are also a great number who would be more than happy with a record player, a device that would be a downgrade in 2019. Regardless, you cannot argue with the consumer