- Hollywood Rock
Hollywood Rock was a
music festival which took place inSão Paulo andRio de Janeiro inBrazil , from1988 to1996 . The festival was sponsored and organised by the Souza Cruz tobacco company, owners of the "Hollywood"cigarette brand. After a law was passed by theSenate of Brazil prohibiting tobacco and alcohol companies from sponsoring cultural and sporting events, the festival was cancelled.The festival did not happen in1989 or1991 (the latter because of Rock in Rio 2 happening at around the same time in Rio de Janeiro).1988
The first edition of Hollywood Rock took place in January 1988, with four nights of concerts in each city. The venues for the festival were the Morumbi stadium in São Paulo and the Apoteose Square (the final section of the
Sambadrome ) in Rio de Janeiro. The headliners for this edition wereSupertramp ,The Pretenders ,Duran Duran andSimple Minds . However,Simply Red , who opened the concert forDuran Duran , was by and large considered by press and fans the breakthrough performance of the whole festival, leading them to come back for the1993 edition, this time boasting headliner status.UB 40 , who opened the concert forSimple Minds , also met enthusiastic response from the crowds. The British reggae band distinguished itself as well by receiving a host of guests onstage, like late singer Robert Palmer,Pretenders 's leaderChrissie Hynde (who performed live her famous duet withUB 40 'sAli Campbell inSonny Bono 's "I Got You Babe ") and Brazilian band Paralamas do Sucesso, who had played previously the same night.The night before,
UB 40 had taken part in the Pretenders' concert encore, also performing "I Got You Babe ". The Pretenders' line-up for the festival featured guitaristJohnny Marr , ofThe Smiths ' fame.The other Brazilian bands featured in the bill for the four-night event (from the next edition on, it would be shortened for three nights only) were
Ira! ,Titãs ,Ultraje a Rigor ,Lulu Santos andMarina Lima . As for the non-Brazilian acts, they were all touring the country for the first time.1990
The second Hollywood Rock festival took place in January 1990, at the same venues as the first edition. Among the headliners for this edition of the festival were
Bob Dylan ,Bon Jovi ,Marillion andEurythmics .1992
The third edition of Hollywood Rock was headlined by
Living Colour ,EMF , Seal,Jesus Jones , Skid Row and Extreme. That year, the São Paulo edition took place at the Pacaembu stadium, whilst the Rio edition was still held at the Sambadrome.The Brazilian bands:
Lulu Santos ,Titãs ,Paralamas do Sucesso andBarão Vermelho .1993
The fourth edition of Hollywood Rock is regarded as the best of all 7 years. It was definitely the most publicised – with
Grunge music going full blast around the world, renowned bands such as Nirvana,Alice in Chains and L7 headlined the festival, along with theRed Hot Chili Peppers andSimply Red . Nirvana's controversial performances both in São Paulo and Rio generated much discussion amongst fans and the media.Kurt Cobain , appearing very intoxicated, spat on the lenses of all TV cameras placed around the stage (the concert was being broadcasted live byGlobo TV ), and attempted to destroy stage props and equipment. Some footage from the concert in Rio de Janeiro can be seen on Nirvana'sLive! Tonight! Sold Out!! home video. Due to the high demand for tickets, the venue for the São Paulo concerts was changed back to the larger Morumbi stadium.The Brazilian bands:
Defalla ,Biquíni Cavadão ,Dr. Sin ,Engenheiros do Hawaii andMidnight Blues Band .1994
The 1994 edition of Hollywood Rock once again took place at the Morumbi stadium in São Paulo and the Sambadrome in Rio. The headliners for this edition were
Aerosmith , Poison,Ugly Kid Joe ,Sepultura , Live,Robert Plant andWhitney Houston .The other Brazilian bands:
Titãs ,Skank andJorge Ben .1995
The sixth edition of Hollywood Rock saw the São Paulo venue change once again to the Pacaembu stadium, and was headlined by
The Rolling Stones (who were touring with their recently released album "Voodoo Lounge ") andSpin Doctors .The Brazilian bands:
Barão Vermelho andRita Lee .1996
The last Hollywood Rock festival took place in January 1996 and was headlined by
Jimmy Page &Robert Plant , theSmashing Pumpkins ,Supergrass , White Zombie,The Cure andThe Black Crowes .The Brazilian bands:
Pato Fu ,Raimundos andChico Science e Nação Zumbi .
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