In a spectacle that has gone down in music history, legendary British rock singer Rod Stewart performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach that drew a staggering 3.5 million people, setting a Guinness World Record for the largest free rock concert of all time.
The event, held to celebrate New Year’s Eve, turned the iconic Brazilian beach into a sea of humanity, as fans from around the globe gathered for a night of music, fireworks, and celebration. The massive turnout was not only a tribute to Stewart’s international appeal but also a feat of coordination for the city of Rio, which ensured smooth logistics and safety for the unprecedented crowd.
The concert, which lasted over two hours, featured Stewart’s greatest hits including “Maggie May,” “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy?” and “Sailing.” At midnight, the performance paused for a breathtaking fireworks display, lighting up the sky above the Atlantic.
This landmark event has since been etched in the Guinness World Records as the largest live concert audience ever assembled for a single artist, surpassing all previous benchmarks.
Over 30 years later, the Copacabana concert remains a shining example of music’s power to unite millions—without a ticket, gate, or barrier.
