Highlights Beatles Art Reveal and Pop69 Toronto Rock & Roll Revival Movie


I've attended a wack of gigs lately and none more exceptional than the #Pop69 Soiree held last Tuesday night, upstairs at Toronto's Hard Rock Cafe, during the peak of film festival season. With a Canadian who's who of rock and roll in attendance including Jason Paul "Cone" McCasl, music Producer, Bass guitarist and backing Vocalist of pop-punk band Sum 41 and Ian D'Sa, Producer & guitarist from Billy Talent, with a tag line inviting people to "Party like it's 1969",the bash was a smash hit; the feature highlight of the evening being an unveiling of a replica of some rare Beatles Art - the only collaborative piece ever made by all 4 Beatles - and the announcement of a documentary film, Pop69 being produced, having a historical Beatles connection.

Arriving early, a Toronto Jazz musician gave a helping hand by introducing me to the lovely H.R.C. hostess, and being the first on site representing City Vibe Contracting sponsoring the evening's food, I began to deflect a small bevvy of questions regarding the menu - wanting to feign some knowledge of the cuisine even though I hadn't a clue! Ha. I did remember a vague reference to samplings ala Yoko Ono and The Plastic Ono Band era however, so I threw that out there leaving it with, " That's all I know man" Ha. I was there to schmooze, do some P.R. and take some pics, but as for the food...the menu was still a mystery to me. Tony would be arriving soon anyway and some other "troops" too!

Chloe Rose left from Degrassi, a Rocker Chick? Who knew!?

Sure enough, he arrived shortly thereafter and I was introduced to Valerie Mcculloch of Canwood Entertainment who I was meeting in person for the first time and who turned out - to use the phraseology of the evening - to be really cool and whose relentless energy reverberated throughout the room as she seemingly tried to greet each guest personally. She makes things rock and roll for C.V.C. and over at Canwood is by all accounts an instrumental and invaluable cog in the production wheel there too.




The energy of the room seemed to intensify as the man of the hour, legendary promoter Johnny Brower arrived not too far into the evening. He seemed to genuinely enjoy greeting friends and likely some not seen in awhile. Brower, of course, was the man who persuaded John Lennon to perform at the famed Toronto Rock Revival Festival of 1969, and, in doing so, create a pivotal moment in rock history, as  Lennon would go on to play with Yoko Ono as The Plastic Ono Band separate from his Beatle's band mates for the first time in history.
 One week later The Beatles were no more.

More and more people began spilling into the upstairs bar as anticipation for the unveiling grew. The music tempo kicked up a notch while the munchies made their rounds, meantime beautiful women dressed to the nines started bobbing a bit to the music as I was silently loving the idea of them posing with the famous artwork and period posters later. For the sake of art I mean. Seriously. Okay, hey, I'm a freekin' guy. Give me a break.


It was 44 years ago today, on Sept 13 1969, when John Lennon communicated a message through Eric Clapton to Johnny Brower that he'd changed his mind about Rock & Roll Revival Toronto and wasn't going to come. What exactly did Johnny say to persuade him I wondered? These are some of the rock & roll mysteries that will be unraveled in Pop69 the movie. For music history buffs this film is sure to be a hit. A chance to get a first hand look at the goings on behind the scenes, of without question, an event in the running for Canada's most important rock moment in history. Certainly, behind only Bob Dylan's first use of an electric guitar, it was 1969's most important rock moment.

What if he hadn't persuaded him? Did having Bikers escort help persuade? Would Lennon have had second thoughts & returned to play with The Beatles again? Hopefully the doc will answer a few of these questions from behind the scenes that fateful day.


As the M.C., President Gordon Weiske of CanWood, made his way up to the stage finally, people leaned in anticipation, the lights adjusting, and a small Paparazzi clamoured for the best shots. Of course, I'd been keeping an eye and hovering, making sure to be right at the front to ensure optimal coverage, but was having some issues with using one of my cameras for the first time, conveniently stuffed in my man-bag that looks suspiciously like a purse at times and slung over my shoulder, and as I juggled them, buddy next to me may have gotten an arm nudging or two, mumbling something at me in protest. C 'est la vie, I still  managed some good pretty shots out of the dozens I ruined. I just thank god it's not like in the 1969 using film and all that would have been wasted! Ha..my Scottish roots kicking in again..speaking of which..there was someone there related to Paul Mcartney I believe ..can you spot him in a pic?


Johnny Brower was officially introduced, and before pulling the cloak off, he spoke a bit about the experience of producing this historical event of 1969 - which also had on the bill in addition to Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band  The Doors, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis & Chuck Berry among some  and included Alice Cooper's debut here. No longer the brazen young 22 year old who dared to arrange this masterpiece of  rock & roll-hood alongside Kenny Walker, but  fiery as ever and with eyes ever-youthful, the excitement of his experience in putting together this momentous happening still obviously a part of his being, as his retelling oozed the same passion, I'd imagined, a youthful John Brower would have had.

As someone who has himself felt that sickly, panicky feeling in the gut when an event organized may not be going to plan, and a lot is at stake, including often your own money - and you have to portray a poker face to everyone that all is well too. I can almost envision the egads! moment when J.B. thought to approach Apple Records to have John and Yoko emcee when sponsor Eaton's Department Stores dropped out due to lagging sales the week before the event - only to have the couple make the provision that they be able to play if they hosted! Ha. Tough one there Johnny!
City Vibe sponsored food was just fab!

The unveiling itself was over in a wisp with quick a flip of the wrist, but everyone wanted a pic with the famous art replica and of Johnny B and company, followed by more nibblers and some Hard Rock refreshments. I'd like to have seen the D.J. throw some Beatles tunes and other 60's era music into the play, being that the upper level was for the #Pop69party but hey, you can't have everything! I mean....we can't all be able to break up The Beatles!  Maybe I'll bring a band next time! Ha.

The Rock & Roll Revival Pop69 Party may have been a littler bit tamer than the wild rock and roll parties of 1969 but  everyone had a blast! Ironically, I recently blogged of bringing a Beatles Fest to Newmarket and garnered interest to do so....so who knows? Another Art and Legends stop? Stay tuned!

I look forward to the 2014 movie release of POP69 and the answers to some more of these groovy, cool cat queries....stay tuned for updates! Peace out!

TPE's Spoof Video..Remember K-Tell?
Sign Says Sex Drugs and Rock & Roll...Ahh..memories!

Football legend rocks & rolls off the field too
Sum of Talent here

The Money shot! 

Emcee Gordon Weiske


Party like it's 1969...Hey...got any papers?


I knew it! I thought you said you were doing pig tails?

You talking to me?



Hey! Aren't you.......?

Rock & Rollers start to arrive



Are you kidding me? This is fab! Get down here!




...All you need is love...

Hey! She's looking at me!
Ahhh...Reflections

Rock & Roll Control Central
Val working at lightening speed as ghosts of rock lurk!






The next morning.....kidding...or am I?Ha.



Sponsor City Vibe Execs Russel and Tony





Ian D'sa right from Billy Talent
TP Out!

TP taking it serious for a change! ha

The City Vibe Team

 



Beatle's Art Unveiling - # Pop 69 Release Party and Info

As the date grew closer, I began unravel a strategic plan in my mind for my possible upcoming presentation at the Pop 69 Party and rare artwork display and the unveiling of the world's sole replica of the only piece of art ever collaborated upon by all 4 Beatles. This  once-in-a-lifetime happening, shows off the only authorized physical copy of artwork created by all four Beatles - with the original having been given to The Monterey Pop Festival in 1967. The party is to be hosted upstairs at the Hard Rock Café Toronto Doors open at 9pm, till late on September 10th 2013.

The soiree is also acting as an introduction of sorts to a film in development shown here in this film trailer about the Toronto Rock N Roll Revival show in 1969 which featured John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band and marked the first time any Beatle had played publicly without his mates. One week later The Beatles would be no more!

So it is with great excitement that I look forward to the opportunity to address and introduce, City Vibe Contracting, one of event sponsor businesses which will be donating the Yoko era-like food fare for the event. Not only do I relish an opportunity to rally people around a great company like C.V.C. - which in addition to renovating and construction are heavily invested in disaster relief - and for 15 years has been there to turn to when disasters strike, such as the recent Toronto's floods the worst in recent memory which affected thousands - but I also get to, in a way, be a part of Beatle's history as well as this art and film will themselves be lending a hand in opening a new Beatles chapter with this very unique walk down memory, er, Penny Lane!

Well, as someone in crisis or The Beatles might say, Help! I need somebody!  Thank goodness we have experts in such relief - Help! not just a-a-any bo-ody!- including trauma support trained and experienced - when such occasions arrive, and as such it was an easy way to sedge-way the group into The Beatles! A band whose message of peace and help unto others stands the test of time - like their music - and resonates with the theme and spirit of City Vibe and I'm sure will with countless fans as well.

The Beatles made Peace and Love household words
Recently in fact, Sir Paul Mcartney, donated 1,000 tickets for his show to train disaster and fire victims relief victims in Quebec, moving Caroline Tremblay who's husband, Guy Bolduc, was among the dozens killed when fireballs from an exploding train devastated Lac-Megantic’s downtown and engulfed the bar where he was performing to say,

“He adored Mr. McCartney,” She said in a letter to promoters, “You have allowed my children and me to discover the musical universe of this great artist and (a chance to) bathe in music at a party surrounded by our friends."

So The Beatles and who and what they represent live on, and that kind of spirit and image is a representation that fits well with the City Vibe brand.

The Movie

POP 69 
Johnny Brower, the legendary promoter of Toronto's Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival of 1969, has announced pre-production on Pop 69, a biographical, cinematic journey with Brower as a young entrepreneur wracked with ambition. A dreamer, who refused to give up even when passed a message John Lennon would not be attending, and in the end, making history for Canada.



Did the Toronto Rock ‘n’ Roll Revival  break up The Beatles?


POP 69 unveils how this historic moment came to be the #1 Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Moment in Toronto’s history.
Visit www.pop69party.com to rsvp.

Maybe I'll come as Elvis...The Beatles loved him
TP's final word...

None of my past musically connected contributions have ever been this unique. There is no doubt this art unveiling and subsequent film release will be a part of history and those who are lucky enough to attend or sponsor will be too. My 19 year old daughter recently remarked to me that The Beatles were easily the best band of all time. That's coming from a completely new generation of fans- and one that knows everything no less. Sound familiar? Ha. 

The Fab 4 has stood the test of time and now crossed generational boundaries and with it the demographic markets, opening a whole new can of worms and reaps to those who had the oomph to step on-board and make it happen again! Pop 69's success will be bound only by it's distribution and here's hoping towards a wide release!. Stay tuned ....!Coming soon to a screen near you!

Here's a spoof video of Sir Paul and John I'd recently thrown together in commemoration of the new Royal! Ha! Enjoy!

Tom out!