Dan Auerbach Directing Dr. John Documentary
Auerbach produced Dr. John's Grammy-winning 2012 studio album, 'Locked Down.'
By Scott Bernstein Jul 12, 2021 • 8:32 am PDT
Photo by Alysse Gafkjen
The Black Keys‘ Dan Auerbach has been tapped to direct an as-of-yet untitled documentary about the late Dr. John. The forthcoming RadicalMedia-produced film marks Auerbach’s directorial debut and comes in partnership with Impact Artist Productions.
“I’m thrilled to be partnering with RadicalMedia and Impact Artist Productions to try my hand at directing a documentary feature for the first time and I’m honored to have the subject be my friend Dr John,” Auerbach said in a statement. “He was such a unique individual and a shining example of the great melting pot of American music. From his mysterious voodoo stage persona Dr John, to his real, humble self Mac Rebannack- the street poet, the family man, the junkie, the Grammy award winner and all that’s in between, this documentary will introduce the world to him in a way they haven’t seen him before.”
Auerbach served as producer for Dr. John’s 2012 studio album, Locked Down. The album scored Dan a Grammy in 2013, the same year the LP won for Best Blues Album.
Dr. John was born Malcolm John Rebennack Jr. on November 20, 1941. Mac followed a stint as a successful session musician by embarking on a legendary solo career. The famed New Orleans-based artist died on June 6, 2019 from a heart attack.
Listen to Dr. John discuss working with Dan Auerbach in 2012:
