ROCK IN RIO
TOP 10 • Greatest Musical Performances
ROCK IN RIO
ROBERTO MEDINA
Rock in Rio was an event conceived by Brazilian businessman Roberto Medina back in 1985, and since its first edition has been recognized as one of the biggest festivals in the world. Its first edition was in Rio de Janeiro, hence the name "Rock In Rio". The festival had other editions around the world, such as in the United States, Spain and Portugal.
Check out below the 10 best concerts ever performed during the event's history!
1. Queen (1985)
We couldn't start this list without mentioning the iconic and perhaps the greatest performance in the festival's history. The band came to perform at the first edition of Rock in Rio and it was just fantastic.
To this day the version of "Love Of My Life" sung by the entire audience is one of the most remarkable and incredible moments in the history of music.
There are even rumors that the first edition of Rock in Rio only happened because the band Queen agreed to come perform at the festival, causing other bands to accept as well.
2. James Taylor (1985)
The American singer James Taylor considers his Rock In Rio I concert a turning point in his life. At the time, Taylor had gone through a divorce from singer Carly Simon, hadn't released an album in four years and was contemplating retirement.
When he came to Rio de Janeiro and saw the enthusiastic Brazilian public singing songs like "You Got a Friend", Taylor renewed himself and started his career again.
In the same year, the singer released a new album, with a song dedicated to the moment: "Only A Dream In Rio".
3. AC/DC (1985)
Still in the RIR of 1985, another well-remembered show was that of AC/DC. Before confirming presence at the festival, the band demanded that the half-ton bell, which at the time singer Brian Johnson used in the song Hells Bells, come to the festival.
The organization of the festival ordered the bell to be brought on a ship, however, when it was time to set up the stage, it did not hold up and a plaster bell was improvised.
4. Barão Vermelho (1985)
Barão Vermelho took the stage at Rock In Rio in 1985 taking a risk: the previous performances, Kid Abelha and Eduardo Dussek, were targets of attack by headbangers who wanted weight on stage. But the cariocas won over the public and ended up with a standing ovation.
Playing hits from his entire career, vocalist Cazuza took advantage of the performance of "Pro Dia Nascer Feliz" to comment on the election of Tancredo Neves that took place on the same day: "May the day be born happy for everyone tomorrow. In a new Brazil, a smart girl".
5. Guns N' Roses (1991)
In 1991, Guns N' Roses came to Brazil for the first time and brought more than a conventional performance. The presentation, which marked the debut of keyboardist Dizzy Reed and drummer Matt Sorum, featured unreleased songs, only released months later
In his self-titled biography, Slash recalls the '91 show: "I don't think I've ever seen an audience so maddened by Guns N' Roses."
6. Red Hot Chilli Peppers (2001)
Red Hot Chili Peppers is another band that stands out among the festival's most outstanding performances. The 2001 show was considered the band's first major presentation in Brazil, which was returning to the country for the second time.
Anthony Kiedis and company had recently released Californication, an album that put the band back on top. Guitarist John Frusciante was back at Red Hot, which made the concert even more special for the fans.
7. Iron Maiden (2001)
Iron Maiden was present in several editions of the festival, but the 2001 presentation entered the history of Rock In Rio.
The British were, at that moment, wrapping up the Brave New World tour, whose eponymous album had been released the previous year.
Their performance marked Bruce Dickinson's return to Iron Maiden and fans were also treated to several classics from the band.
8. Stevie Wonder (2011)
One of the biggest highlights of Rock In Rio 2011 came not in the form of rock, but of soul. The charismatic and talented Stevie Wonder received a standing ovation as he took the stage and put on a nearly two-hour concert.
The musician sang classics like "You are the Sunshine of my Llife" and "I Just Called to Say I Love You" but won over the audience once and for all when he sang "The GirlFrom Ipanema" and "Você Abusou".
The artist also closed the set with the contagious "Superstition" featuring Janelle Monáe.
9. Capital Inicial (2011)
Some Brazilian bands had their big moment at the festival and one of them was Capital Inicial.
Rock in Rio's stampede, the 2011 presentation had a little bit of everything: songs from Aborto Elétrico, hits from Acústico MTV, criticism from Dinho Ouro Preto to José Sarney and a show interrupted because of people feeling sick.
Dinho threw water bottles to the audience in order to help.
10. Aerosmith (2017)
With a setlist that mixed more popular songs with important ones from the past, Aerosmith showed that they still had a lot of energy to make rock and roll in the 2017 edition.
They were the highlights of the night of September 21st in a presentation with covers, solos, jams and improvisation. Livin' On The Edge, Rag Doll, Crazy, Dream On, Walk This Way were just some of the songs on the setlist.
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