On September 13, 1969, John Lennon performed live with the Plastic Ono Band at the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival, which took place at the Varsity Stadium in Toronto, Canada. This performance was significant for several reasons.
Firstly, it marked Lennon's first live performance since The Beatles' last concert in 1966. The band had stopped touring due to the increasing complexity of their studio work and the challenges of performing live with the technology available at the time.
Secondly, the Plastic Ono Band was a new project for Lennon, featuring his wife Yoko Ono, guitarist Eric Clapton, bass player Klaus Voormann, and drummer Alan White. This performance was the band's debut, and they had minimal rehearsal time before taking the stage. The lineup included Lennon on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Clapton on lead guitar, Voormann on bass, White on drums, and Ono providing vocal accompaniment and unconventional, avant-garde accompaniments using her voice.
The setlist included a mix of rock and roll classics, such as "Blue Suede Shoes" and "Money," as well as Lennon's solo compositions, including "Yer Blues" and "Give Peace a Chance." The performance was raw, energetic, and showcased Lennon's desire to return to his rock and roll roots.
The Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival also featured other notable acts, such as Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis, making it a historic event in rock and roll history. It's also fun to note that just before going on stage, Lennon was incredibly nervous, having not yet informed his bandmates in The Beatles that he planned to leave the group. He reportedly battled his nerves by repeatedly vomiting backstage before finally going on to deliver an electrifying performance that would be remembered for decades to come.
