Explore the remarkable, behind-the-scenes story of how an all-star music festival came together against all odds in 1969. Called “the second most important event in rock n’ roll history,” the concert united legends Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent with The Doors, and John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch REVIVAL69: The Concert That Rocked the World
REVIVAL69: The Concert That Rocked the World is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
About The Show
Explore the remarkable, behind-the-scenes story of how a little-known but life-altering music festival came together against all odds in 1969. Young, scrappy concert promoter John Brower put his life on the line (literally) to turn his failing Toronto Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival into a one-day event, later coined in rock mythology as “the second most important event in rock n’ roll history.”
The festival united rock legends like Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, and Gene Vincent with The Doors, the biggest band in the world. But the 11th- hour arrival of John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band ignited a seminal moment for the 20,000 fans at Toronto’s Varsity Stadium, triggering Lennon's final decision to leave the Beatles forever. Directed by Ron Chapman, the documentary includes exclusive interviews with iconic musicians like Alice Cooper, Robbie Krieger (The Doors), Alan White (Yes), Geddy Lee (Rush), Danny Seraphine (Chicago) and Klaus Voorman (Manfred Mann, The Beatles).
Featuring rare, recently discovered behind-the-scenes Super 8 verité footage and never-before-seen 16mm film of the concert shot by D.A. Pennebaker and his crew, REVIVAL69 is an exhilarating VIP ride into a pivotal moment in music history, told through the eyes of those who were there: the musicians, the mavericks behind the scenes, and all who witnessed history in the making.
About The Filmmakers:
Director and producer Ron Chapman is an award-winning Toronto filmmaker. His feature documentaries have garnered acclaim worldwide and have aired on major networks and platforms. They include Who the FK is Arthur Fogel, featuring Lady Gaga, U2, The Police, Madonna, Rush, and key music industry insiders; The Poet of Havana, with Carlos Varela, Benicio Del Toro, Jackson Browne; and The Forbidden Shore, an in-depth exploration of Cuba’s top musical artists. Phyllis Ellis is the Writer and Associate Producer. Trish Dolman of Screen Siren Pictures and Sally Blake of Films à Cinq are the producers, along with Chapman.
