Queen's headline performance at Rock in Rio in 1985 remains one of the most iconic moments in live music history. The band performed twice during the 10-day festival: once on the opening night, 11th January, and again on the 18th, alongside other acts such as AC/DC, Yes, and Rod Stewart. Although Queen did not take the stage until 2 A.M., they set a record for paid attendance, performing to at least 250,000 people each night, with some estimates suggesting a crowd as large as 350,000 for the first night alone. Edited highlights, broadcast on Brazil’s national O Globo channel, were watched by nearly 200 million people across South America.
After the show, EMI hosted a party in Queen's honour at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Outside, on the beach, fans gathered for a candlelit vigil, where 1,500 candles were arranged to spell ‘Queen’. Brian May was deeply moved by the gesture, emerging to light some candles and sign autographs for the fans.
1 Tie Your Mother Down 4:41
2 Seven Seas Of Rhye 1:08
3 Keep Yourself Alive 2:46
4 Liar 1:56
5 It’s A Hard Life 4:20
6 Now I’m Here 5:43
7 Is This the World We Created…? 3:03
8 Love of My Life 4:24
9 Brighton Rock 3:09
10 Hammer To Fall 4:54
11 Bohemian Rhapsody 5:17
12 Radio Ga Ga 6:11
13 I Want To Break Free 3:24
14 We Will rock You 2:29
15 We Are The Champions 4:05
16 God Save The Queen 1:31