Before the festival created by Roberto Medina, Brazil did not have the tradition of hosting large international shows
Before the first edition of Rock in Rioheld from 11 to 20 January 1985, Brazil was not part of the international exhibition market. The few experiences that have taken place here, with similar artists and bands Alice Cooper, Peter Frampton, Kiss AND Van Halenthey were characterized by a series of problems which, in general, aroused mistrust.
Because of this, Roberto Medina faced a number of obstacles to complete the training Rock in Rio 1985. In an interview with the journalist Roberto D’Avilagranted to GloboNews and made available on the festival’s YouTube channel, the entrepreneur revealed that he needed the singer’s help Frank Sinatraon an incredible balcony owned by one of its employees, to be able to close with attractions the size of queen, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Ozzy Osbourne, Rod Stewart, YESamong others.
Medina He initially admitted that he had not designed the first Rock in Rio in an ideal way: it was an idea that had come to him “out of nowhere”, to justify his stay in Rio de Janeiro, given that in that period he could have lived abroad. ‘abroad. . Excited about the end of the military dictatorship in the country, the founder of the event thought about the idea and realized that he had the money needed to invest in the project. The problem was that no one thought it would work.
He explains:
“There was no culture of the previous musical event. There was nothing. It was an intuition, a vision of a project… I think the Rock in Rio He looked for me, I didn’t look for him. I arrived at the agency, no one believed me. A 50 million dollar project. Brazil had no lights or sounds… the biggest show here was for 40,000 people.”
70 negatives and Frank Sinatra
Anyway, Roberto Medina he chased his goal. He traveled to the United States, organized a presentation in a hotel and came into contact with several artists and band managers. Even though he had the money to pay the fee, he received 70 negative responses in 60 days.
“They thought, “obviously that wouldn’t happen in Brazil…Brazil has had a history of stealing equipment at the few shows that have taken place, and you don’t pay for it.” In those 60 days I received 70 no’s.”
Then the friend enters the scene Frank Sinatraat the request of Medina. The singer offered his public relations professional, Lee Soltersto draw journalists’ attention to the festival.
Single he thought of a press conference that would herald Rock in Rio as the biggest rock show in the world – and in Brazil, a place considered “exotic” at the time. A masterstroke, as artists and bands “queued up” to sign with Rock in Rio.
Roberto says:
“I held a press conference in the hotel where I was staying, the Beverly Hilton. It was full of journalists. The next day all the American newspapers said: ‘the biggest rock show in the world will take place in Brazil’. Then the bands did the line outside the hotel door. Everyone who refused lined up in Los Angeles. Ozzy Osbourne. He was in England, the Oscar (Luiz Oscar Niemeyerexecutive producer) went there. Subsequently, the queenthat the Jim Beachtheir manager, helped me a lot. But in two days everything was closed.”
The full interview can be seen below:
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Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
