Everyone knows at if you are going to
visit Roma, the Colosseo is a must-see. It’s a masterpiece of ancient
technology, having endured 2,000 years of earthquakes, pilfering, fires and
violently spectacular Roman entertainment. But did you know that in the past
decade, the Colosseo has hosted a number of concerts by some of the world’s top
musicians?
It started in 2002, when Ray Charles
and other international artists came together to perform at Time for Life, a concert held during a
multi-day global peace conference in Roma. The blues star hosted the event, and
sang “Georgia on My Mind” in a brilliant gold sequined jacket.
In 2004 Simon & Garfunkel and the
Everly Brothers rocked out in front of more than 500,000 spectators on the Via
dei Fori Romani, rivaling their famous Central Park show that became one of the
largest concerts in history.
Elton John used the Colosseo as the backdrop
for a classic piano performance in 2005. The audience rocked along to favorites
like Tiny Dancer and Bennie and the Jets under the blue and gold light of the
Colosseo's illuminated arches.
In 2006, it was Billy Joel and Bryan
Adams. As in years past, an estimated half a million people were in attendance,
and giant viewing screens had to be set up along Via dei Fori Imperiali to
improve the view for all to see.
In 2003, Sir Paul McCartney played an
intimate acoustic set inside the Colosseo for charity and to raise money to
maintain Rome’s historic sites. Tickets were restricted to just 400 lucky fans,
each paying up to €1,295 for
the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The next evening, armed with his classic
left-handed Hofner Bass, McCartney performed another legendary (and free) set
for 500,000 Romans and visitors in front of the ancient battle arena. He even
played a special version of Domenico Modugno’s iconic Italian classic, “Il blu
e dipinto di blu” also known as “Volare”!
