Producers from Canada, US, and France band together for
Rock & Roll Revival (working title)
a thrilling recount of “the second most important event in rock & roll history”

PRESS RELEASE

In 1969, there were three music festivals that changed the world. And “the second most important event in rock & roll history” was a one-day music festival held at the University of Toronto’s 20,000 seat Varsity Stadium called the Toronto Rock & Roll Revival.

 

Currently in production, Rock & Roll Revival (working title), a Crave Original Documentary,  tells the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how, against all odds, a life-changing concert came together. A story of passion and perseverance, this never-before documented story reveals a series of colourful characters, murky deals and broken promises, culminating in John Brower, a young renegade promoter, putting his life on the line (literally) in order to achieve his goal.

 

With dismal ticket sales, the concert was almost cancelled. But Brower took a one-in-a-million chance and invited John Lennon, who said yes, propelling the concert into a massively successful event. Included in the stellar lineup were Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddley, Gene Vincent, The Doors, Alice Cooper, and John Lennon with the Plastic Ono Band – his first appearance without the Beatles, that included Yoko Ono, Eric Clapton, Klaus Voormann and Alan White. 

 

The film will use a priceless cinematic archive that includes unreleased concert footage from D.A. Pennebaker’s original 16mm film, and a narrative primarily told through the eyes of those who were there. 

 

Production on the 90-minute feature documentary began July 8 and will continue through to November 1, shooting in Toronto, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Berlin. It will be ready for a spring release touring the festival circuit.

 

About The Crew

Rock & Roll Revival is directed by Ron Chapman (Who The F**ck Is Arthur Fogel), produced by Trish Dolman, Sally Blake and Ron Chapman, and written by Phyllis Ellis. The film is produced by Screen Siren Pictures (Vancouver), Chapman Productions (Toronto), Films A Cinq (Paris); Executive Produced by Pennebaker Hegedus Films (New York). It is produced in association with Crave, Photon Films, and ARTE. 

About Funding

Funding support was made possible by Telefilm Canada, Canada Media Fund, Rogers Cable Network Fund, Rogers Documentary Fund, Hot Docs Slaight Music Fund, and Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund and the Centre National du Cinéma in France.

About Distribution and Broadcast

The film is distributed in Canada by Photon Films, and Myriad Pictures is the distributor outside of Canada. The film will be available on Crave in Canada, and on ARTE in France and Germany.

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