Rock in Rio is one of the largest music festivals in the world, with 1.5 million people attending the first event.  The first edition of the festival was held from January 11–20, 1985. Queen, George Benson, Rod Stewart, AC/DC, and Yes were the headliners, each occupying top spot for two nights (Benson, however, ceded it to James Taylor for their second night in the same bill, due to the huge delay Taylor’s extended performance had caused to his concert two days before). About 1.4 million people attended the 10-day-long festival.

Friday, 1/11
Queen
Iron Maiden
Whitesnake
Baby Consuelo e Pepeu Gomes
Erasmo Carlos
Ney Matogrosso

Saturday, 1/12
George Benson
James Taylor
Al Jarreau
Gilberto Gil
Elba Ramalho
Ivan Lins

Sunday, 1/13
Rod Stewart
The Go-Go’s
Nina Hagen
Blitz
Lulu Santos
Os Paralamas do Sucesso

Monday, 1/14
James Taylor
George Benson
Alceu Valença
Moraes Moreira

Tuesday, 1/15
AC/DC
Scorpions
Barão Vermelho
Eduardo Dusek
Kid Abelha e os Abóboras Selvagens

Wednesday, 1/16
Rod Stewart
Ozzy Osbourne
Rita Lee
Moraes Moreira
Os Paralamas do Sucesso

Thursday, 1/17
Yes
Al Jarreau
Elba Ramalho
Alceu Valença

Friday, 1/18
Queen
The Go-Go’s
The B-52’s (with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth)
Lulu Santos
Eduardo Dusek
Kid Abelha e os Abóboras Selvagens

Saturday, 1/19
AC/DC
Scorpions
Ozzy Osbourne
Whitesnake
Baby Consuelo e Pepeu Gomes

Sunday, 1/20
Yes
The B-52’s (with Chris Frantz and Tina Weymouth)
Nina Hagen
Blitz
Gilberto Gil
Barão Vermelho
Erasmo Carlos