1. ROD STEWART AT COPACABANA BEACH (1994) 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE
In 1994, on Rio’s Copacabana Beach (Brazil), one of Britain’s most infamous rocks stars, Rod Stewart, sealed his name in the Guinness book of world records, by playing the world’s largest live concert to date. For a special one off New Year’s Eve performance, Stewart played to a record number of 3.5 million people.
2. JEAN MICHEL JARRE, MOSCOW (1997) 3.5 MILLION PEOPLE
Famed French Musician Jean Michel Jarre played the second biggest live concert to date. When in 1997, the Mayor of Moscow (Russia) commissioned him to play at the city's celebratory 850th anniversary concert. Jarre played to 3.5 million people.
3. NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC IN CENTRAL PARK (1986) 800,000 PEOPLE
The New York Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the most famous and respected orchestras in the world. They have played all around the world to thousands of classical music lovers, in some of the grandest, most lavish of venues. They took the record for largest live classical music concert, when in 1986, they played in their native Central Park (New York) , to an audience of 800,000.
4. GARTH BROOKS IN CENTRAL PARK (1997) 750,000 PEOPLE
In 1997, the beloved and acclaimed American country singer, super star Garth Brooks, famously held a concert to 750,000 of his fans, in New York’s Central Park.
5. STEVE WOZNIAK’S US FESTIVAL (1983) 670,000 PEOPLE
Big fan of music and technology, former apple Mac partner and creator Steve Wozniak synergized the two together in 1983, in the form of the US festival. Held in California (USA), US festival was a musical and technological extravaganza, which championed music, computers and music software. Among the acts were The Ramones, The Clash, Talking Heads and Fleetwood Mac, who played in front of 670,000 spectators.
6. SUMMER JAM AT WATKINS GLEN (1973) OVER 600,000 PEOPLE
In the summer of 1973, with the spirit of Woodstock still haunting both the bands and the fans of America, The Summer at Watkins Glen festival was held to help stasify their musical thirst. The festival took place in the state of New York at Watkins Glen, where in which 600,000 hippies gathered to see Allman Brothers Band, The band and The Grateful Dead play live.
7. ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL (1970) 600,000 PEOPLE
The Isle of Wight Festival is one of the largest and longest running music festivals to date. The 1970 Isle of Wight Festival has become one of the most famous and memorable of years in the festival's history. This is due in part to its then record breaking number of people in attendance, over 600,000 music fans were present that year. The 1970 Isle of Wight festival is also well remembered for hosting the last live performance of rock legend and guitar hero Jimi Hendrix. ( Hendrix was found dead in his London house, only a few days after playing the festival, due to a herion overdose).
8. SIMON & GARFUNKEL IN CENTRAL PARK (1981) 500,000 PEOPLE
In 1981, Simon and Garfunkel, perhaps the most famous and successful musical duo of all time, cemented their place in the musical history books; when they played to a whopping 500,000 of their fans, in New York’s Central Park.
9. TORONTO SARS BENEFIT (2003) 450,000 PEOPLE
In aid of the SARS outbreak in 2003, a charity gig was held to help raise money for the people and parts of the world that had fallen victum to the deadly virus. The SARS benefit concert took place in the Canadian city of Toronto. Where the likes of; The Flaming Lips, Justin Timberlake, AC/DC and The Rolling Stones played to 450,000 people. It is to this date the largest open air concert to have ever taken place in Canada.
10. WOODSTOCK FESTIVAL (1969) 400,000 PEOPLE
Whether you were there or not or whether you were even born or not, almost everyone has heard of the legendary music festival that was Woodstock festival. The original hippie hoe down has become one of the most iconic music festivals of the 60’s and perhaps of all time. The 3 day music, peace and love fest, attracted over 400,000 spectators and saw the likes of some the biggest names in music, such as: Santana, The Who, Janis Joplin, Jefferson Airplane and 60’s icon and rock legend Jimi Hendrix (who was the main headlining act).