The B-52's (with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth).Rio de Janeiro Rock in Rio Īerial sepia image of Rock in Rio, Sunday 1985, Blitz on stage Rock in Rio Lisboa IX - postponed one year due to the COVID-19 pandemic Live Nation stated that it intended to " their industry expertise" into their overall business. In May 2018, Live Nation Entertainment acquired a majority stake in the festival (including from previous stakeholder SFX Entertainment), with Medina continuing to manage the festival's operations. Rock in Rio is one of the largest music festivals in the world, with 1.5 million people attending the first event, 700,000 attending the second and fourth, about 1.2 million attending the third, and about 350,000 people attending each of the three Lisbon events. In 2011, Rock in Rio returned to its original location, Rio de Janeiro, with a new line-up of singers and groups. Brazilian entrepreneur and advertiser Roberto Medina was responsible for the inception and organization of the festival, as well as moving the 2004 edition to Lisbon, while controversially keeping the brand "Rock in Rio". It later branched into other locations such as Lisbon, Madrid and Las Vegas.Įight incarnations of the festival have been held in Rio de Janeiro, in 1985, 1991, 2001, 2011, 2013, 2015, 20, eight in Lisbon, in 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014, 20, three in Madrid in 2008, 20 and one in Las Vegas, in 2015. Rock in Rio is a recurring music festival originating in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.