SEPTEMBER 13 | TODAY IN ROCK HISTORY: Jackson Browne, John Lennon, Dire Straits
John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band Debut in Toronto
On September 13, 1969, John Lennon stepped onto the stage of the Toronto Rock and Roll Revival festival for his first full live performance outside of The Beatles. With Yoko Ono by his side, he introduced the world to the Plastic Ono Band, a loose, ever-changing collective of musicians that would accompany Lennon in his early solo career.
The lineup that night was remarkable: Eric Clapton on lead guitar, Alan White (later of Yes) on drums, and Klaus Voormann on bass. The hastily assembled group had little time to rehearse, yet their raw energy gave the performance an edge that resonated with the audience. The set included rock ’n’ roll covers like “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Money”, as well as Lennon’s powerful new song “Cold Turkey”.
The concert was recorded and released later that year as Live Peace in Toronto, marking Lennon’s first solo album. The show also played a key role in Lennon’s decision to leave The Beatles, as he later reflected that the Toronto experience gave him the confidence to step out on his own. In many ways, September 13, 1969, was the night John Lennon became a solo artist.
David Knopfler Quits Dire Straits
On September 13, 1980, David Knopfler, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of Dire Straits, quit the band during the recording of their third album, Making Movies. David, younger brother of lead guitarist and singer Mark Knopfler, had been with the group since its formation in 1977, contributing to their first two acclaimed albums.
Tensions between the brothers grew during the sessions, with disagreements about creative direction and studio dynamics. Mark’s increasingly dominant role in the band left little room for David, who eventually walked away. His departure was a significant shift for Dire Straits, though it ultimately solidified the group around Mark’s vision.
Making Movies went on to become one of Dire Straits’ most successful records, featuring classics like “Tunnel of Love” and “Romeo and Juliet”. David Knopfler pursued a solo career afterward, releasing a series of albums that highlighted his singer-songwriter sensibilities, though he never achieved the same commercial success as his brother. His departure remains a poignant reminder of the personal challenges that often accompany musical collaboration, even within families.
Jackson Browne Scores His First No. 1 Album
Also on September 13, 1980, Jackson Browne achieved a career milestone when his album Hold Out hit No. 1 on the U.S. charts. Although Browne had been a respected singer-songwriter since the early 1970s, with classics like “Doctor My Eyes” and “Running on Empty”, this was his first album to reach the top spot.
Hold Out featured the single “Boulevard”, a track inspired by the struggles of runaways and street kids in Los Angeles. The song’s gritty realism stood out from Browne’s earlier, more introspective work, showing his ability to merge personal songwriting with broader social commentary. Other tracks like “That Girl Could Sing” and “Call It a Loan” added to the album’s appeal, balancing rock energy with Browne’s signature lyrical depth.
While Hold Out was not always the critics’ favorite among his catalog, its commercial success confirmed Browne’s place among the leading voices of the singer-songwriter movement. For many fans, the record remains a snapshot of Browne at the peak of his mainstream popularity.
Three Weird September 13 Rock Factoids
Elton John Played Central Park Dressed as Donald Duck
On September 13, 1980, Elton John played a massive free concert on New York City’s Great Lawn in Central Park, drawing an estimated 400,000 people. The truly strange part was his outfit: Elton appeared onstage wearing a Donald Duck costume, complete with oversized webbed feet. The bizarre costume was entirely intentional, fitting the theatrical persona he had developed during the peak of his career. The enormous audience and surreal appearance made the performance one of the most memorable spectacles of his American career.
Cliff Richard Was Ordered to Lose His Sideburns Before His First TV Appearance
On September 13, 1958, Cliff Richard made his British television debut on Oh Boy!, performing “Move It”. Producer Jack Good was worried that the young singer looked too much like Elvis Presley, so he ordered Richard to shave off his sideburns and ditch his acoustic guitar before appearing on television. The changes were intended to prevent him from looking like an Elvis imitator, but the performance instead helped establish Richard as one of Britain’s earliest homegrown rock stars.
The Beatles’ “Yesterday” Was Nearly Called Something Completely Different
On September 13, 1965, The Beatles released “Yesterday” as a single in the United States. Before settling on the title, Paul McCartney reportedly used the temporary title “Scrambled Eggs” while developing the melody and lyrics. The song was radically different from the band’s usual sound, featuring McCartney alone with an acoustic guitar and a string quartet. What began with a nonsense working title ultimately became one of the most recorded songs in music history.
final note
The events of September 13 illustrate the diversity of rock’s story—from bold beginnings to personal conflicts to career triumphs. John Lennon’s Plastic Ono Band debut signaled the birth of his solo identity and hinted at the end of an era with The Beatles. David Knopfler’s departure from Dire Straits highlighted the tensions that often exist within successful bands, even those built on brotherhood. And Jackson Browne’s chart-topping album demonstrated how thoughtful, socially aware songwriting could still resonate with a wide audience.
Together, these moments capture rock’s ongoing evolution: a balance of reinvention, resilience, and the human stories behind the music.
