The only known recorded performance of John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band is finally coming to DVD. The historic concert was filmed on Sept. 13, 1969, at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival, which also happened to be the eve of the release of Abbey Road — the Beatles’ last recorded work.
The new DVD, titled John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band Live in Toronto ’69, will be released by Shout! Factory on June 23, and undoubtedly offer a remarkable look at one of the world’s most influential and popular artists at a pivotal point in his career.
At the time, Lennon had not performed live with the Beatles in nearly three years. Yet he decided — probably on a whim — to fly to Toronto with his wife Yoko Ono, guitarist Eric Clapton, bassist Klaus Yoormann and drummer Alan White to pay homage to his early musical heroes performing at the festival, namely Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
The events that transpired became the stuff of legend. The newly formed Plastic Ono Band, with Lennon at the helm, ended up sharing the stage with Diddley, Lewis and Richard, and delivered what many critics consider the “second most important concert” in rock and roll history.
The legendary concert — which also foreshadowed the official end of The Beatles — was captured by Oscar-nominated director D.A. Pennebaker (The War Room, Don’t Look Back, Monterey Pop). The DVD also features an interview with Yoko Ono from 1988.
Performances featured on John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band Live in Toronto ’69:
“Bo Diddley” – Bo Diddley
“Hound Dog” – Jerry Lee Lewis
“Lucille” – Little Richard
“Blue Suede Shoes” – John Lennon
“Money” – John Lennon
“Dizzy Miss Lizzy” – John Lennon
“Yer Blues” – John Lennon
“Cold Turkey” – John Lennon
“Give Peace A Chance” – John Lennon
“Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For Her Hand In The Snow)” – Yoko Ono
“John, John (Let’s Hope For Peace)” – Yoko Ono