PHOTOSRock In Rio 30th Anniversary: The Top 10 Performances In Festival’s History
April 6 2015, Published 6:40 p.m. ET
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The legendary music festival Rock in Rio may have superstar Taylor Swift on its lineup for its first-ever stateside stop in honor of the festival’s 30th anniversary, but the some of the most iconic bands in music history have joined in celebration for the Brazilian cultural phenomena over the years! In fact, more than 1,274 musical acts from The Rolling Stones to Beyonce have rocked the stages in Brazil, Spain and Portugal—and now the U.S.!—since 1985. Click through to see which artists have hit the stage for one of the largest music festivals in the world.
The first-ever festival in Rio had over 1.38 million attendees, making it five times larger than the legendary Woodstock. No wonder, too, since the headliners included the likes of Queen and AC/DC.
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Following their performances in the inaugural Rock in Rio festival, The Go-Go's actually briefly broke up before reuniting the following decade.
On what was then the biggest stage in the world ever built so far, Nina Hagen insisted that Rock in Rio creator, Robert Medina, add her to the inaugural lineup for free!
At the second edition held in 1991 at the Maracanã Stadium, Guns N’ Roses headlined for two days.
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It wasn’t all rock ’n’ roll, either. New Kids On The Block brought the heat to Rio in 1991.
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Speaking of boy bands, NSYNC danced up a storm in 2001.
Prince and his iconic dance moves also rocked the stage in 1991.
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By the third annual celebration, “Fire & Rain” singer James Taylor was part of the bill.
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In 2004, history was made when Paul McCartney opened the festival for its debut in Lisbon.
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Fast forward a few decades later, 1985 headliner Brazilian singer Cazuza also came back for the 2013 tour, which included Beyonce.
Taylor Swift performs with laryngitis as she opens up Jingleball 2014 concert in LA!
And in what will undoubtedly become part of this list after the 2015 performance commences, Taylor Swift, No Doubt, John Legend and more will headline in Las Vegas for Rock in Rio’s first American stop.
