An Intimate Look At The History-Making 1969 Toronto Rock N Roll Revival Festival; Featuring D. A. Pennebaker Footage Of John Lennon’s First Show Outside The Beatles + Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Alice Cooper And More

New York Opening Event Tonight (June 28) At New Plaza Cinema, Featuring Q&A With Director Ron Chapman and Robert Christgau 

“A rock documentary for the ages.” - CNN 

“This is a fantastic movie…the essence of rock and roll…you’re going to watch ‘Revival ’69’ more than once.” - Bob Lefsetz

Greenwich Entertainment’s REVIVAL69: The Concert That Rocked The World is available today in theaters across the United States and through all major video-on-demand platforms. The feature-length documentary, directed by Ron Chapman, explores the nearly-unbelievable story of the 1969 Toronto Rock N Roll Revival through the iconic vérité lens of D. A. Pennebaker. Once-in-a-lifetime moments are captured by Pennebaker throughout - like Jim Morrison admiring Chuck Berry’s performance from side-stage, or Alice Cooper backing ‘50s icon Gene Vincent before launching into his own raucous solo show. But perhaps most remarkable is the debut of The Plastic Ono Band, and how two Canadian kids in their early 20s came to organize John Lennon’s first major performance outside The Beatles. 

Read more about Revival69 in The Guardian here, who call it "one of the most important stories in rock history": https://www.theguardian.com/film/article/2024/jun/28/revival69-documentary-review

Watch an exclusive excerpt of Revival69 via Rolling Stone, featuring Alice Cooper’s now-legendary set and the mysterious live chicken that crashed the stage: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/alice-cooper-throws-chicken-concert-revival69-1235010726/ 

Watch the trailer for Revival69 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj_ou4NEd0o

For a full list of theaters across the United States showing Revival69 visit: https://greenwichentertainment.com/film/revival69/

Alice Cooper on stage at Toronto Rock N Roll Revival

The film will open with four screenings this weekend at New York City’s New Plaza Cinema, three of which will feature a Q&A with director Ron Chapman. He’ll be joined tonight by Robert Christgau, who covered the 1969 Toronto Rock N Roll Revival and features prominently in the documentary. Tomorrow night, he’ll be joined by the film’s executive producer Chris Hegedus - the late D. A. Pennebaker’s filmmaking partner and spouse - as well as by Molly Davis, who shot the festival alongside Pennebaker (moderated by journalist Jeff Slate). A Sunday afternoon showing will see Chapman joined by Chris Dalrymple, who was also on Pennebaker’s film crew in 1969, as well as critic Joe Neumaier. For full details visit: https://ticketing.useast.veezi.com/sessions/?siteToken=sz5016jfhkjfgdfcpmh564apxm

Promoted by John Brower and Kenny Walker, the 1969 Toronto Rock N Roll Revival marked the first time John Lennon had performed without The Beatles since before their rise to stardom - taking the stage that night with Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann and Alan White. The behind-the-scenes road to booking Lennon is outlined in detail in the film - including near-cancellations, threats from biker gangs and rehearsals onboard transatlantic flights. The fact that Lennon quietly left The Beatles a week later (a decision that would not be made public until the following year) only adds to the historical weight of his performance captured in Revival69.

Additionally, featured throughout the documentary are commanding performances from legends in their prime like Little Richard, Bo Diddley and Jerry Lee Lewis - alongside an interview with Robby Kreiger about The Doors headlining set. First-hand perspective is also given by Alice Cooper, John Brower, Klaus Voorman and Alan White, as well as notable attendees including Geddy Lee, Robert Christgau, Claudja Barry and Shep Gordon. Revival69 is directed by Ron Chapman, written by Phyllis Ellis and produced by Chapman and Ellis alongside Trish Dolman, Andrew Williamson and Sally Blake. The film’s executive producers include Chris Hegedus, Frazer Pennebaker, Kirk D'Amico and D. A. Pennebaker.

John Lennon & Yoko Ono on stage at Varsity Stadium

Bo Diddley on stage at Varsity Stadium