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The first Rock Summer festival was held in 1988. The last in 1997. Only once, in 1990, it was cancelled due to political instability. So there were nine Rock Summer festivals altogether, all held on the Tallinn Song Festival Grounds – a precious sight for all Estonians because it is here where every fifth year our Song Festivals, one of the largest choral events in the world with the histroy dating back to the year 1869, a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, are held. The last Song Festival in 2009 gathered more than 30 000 participants and the audience of 80 000 people. But let’s go back to Rock Summer festivals. Here they are. All nine. Briefly.
Rock Summer # 1August 26–28, 1988
Festival was held under the auspices of the Estonian Peace Committee. It’s slogan was Glasnost Rock – Rock For Peace!
Lineup: More than 20 artists
Headliners: Big Country, Public Image Ltd./PiL, Steve Hackett, Ivo Linna with In Spe & Kiigelaulukuuik
Rock Summer #2June 16–18, 1989
Lineup: up to 30 artists
Headliners: The Robert Cray Band, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Tõnis Mägi Projekt
Rock Summer – Freedom FestWas to be held July 27–29, 1990
Confirmed headliners were The Cure and Sinead O’Connor
Rock Summer #3July 19–21, 1991
Lineup: more than 30 artists
Headliners: Jethro Tull, Yellow Submarine “G“
Rock Summer #4July 9–12, 1992 Independence Fest
Lineup: more than 40 artists
Headliners: Bob Geldof & His Happy Clubsters, Bonnie Tyler, EMF
Rock Summer #5July 8–11, 1993
Lineup: more than 50 artists
Headliners: Procol Harum, Samantha Fox
Rock Summer #6July 14–17, 1994
Lineup: more than 40 artists
Headliners: Status Quo, Iggy Pop, David Palmer Orchestra featuring Steve Hackett
Rock Summer #7July 13–16, 1995
Lineup: more than 30 artists
Headliners: Simple Minds, Mike & the Mechanics, M-People
Rock Summer #8July 11–13, 1996
July 12–14, Rigas Mežaparka, Riga, Latvia
Lineup: 25 artists
Headliners: ZZ Top, Paul Young, East 17, Skunk Anansie, Shaggy. Status Quo and Björk performed only in Riga, LatviaRock Summer #9
June 12–15, 1997
Lineup: more than 50 artists
Headliners: Biohazard, Apollo 440, Super Furry Animals
Makarov Muusik archive