Pasadena's Rose Bowl Marks 100 Years as a Venue: Notable Concerts

During the past century, the Rose Bowl has served as far more than a football stadium. It was used for the cycling competition in the 1932 Summer Olympics. 

The Arroyo Seco site has also presented World Cup final games, “American Idol” auditions, fireworks shows, high school graduation ceremonies and concerts. Below is a look back at some notable Rose Bowl concerts from the earliest (we can find) to the most recent.

Aug. 7, 1965 – Presented by KFWB/980 AM, Herman’s Hermits headlined the afternoon concert, with the Turtles, Lovin’ Spoonful and Bobby Fuller Four also on the bill.

Sept. 15, 1968 – “An American Music Show” featured The Everly Brothers, Joan Baez, the Byrds, Wilson Pickett, Big Brother and the Holding Company, Junior Wells with Buddy Guy and the Mothers of Invention.

June 20, 1981 – Merle Haggard, Don Williams, Alabama, Mickey Gilley, Johnny Lee, Rosanne Cash, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers Band performed during “A Day in the Country,” the first concert devoted to country music at the Rose Bowl.

June 6, 1982 – More than 85,000 people turned up for “Peace Sunday: We Have a Dream,” an all-star concert to promote nuclear disarmament including Jackson Browne, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Dan Fogelberg, Stevie Nicks, Graham Nash, Stephen Stills, Linda Ronstadt, Stevie Wonder, Timothy B. Schmit & Don Felder, Joan Baez and Gary U.S. Bonds.

June 18, 1988 – The last stop on Depeche Mode’s “Music for the Masses” world tour (pictured) was filmed by acclaimed director D.A. Pennebaker for the “101” documentary. OMD, Thomas Dolby and Wire were the openers. It’s still one of the most talked about concerts in alternative rock history.

April 16-17, 1994 – Pink Floyd was the first act to perform two consecutive nights at the venue to support “The Division Bell” on its final tour.

Oct. 25, 2009 – U2 drew the highest attendance for a single Rose Bowl concert (just over 97,000) on its 360° which was filmed for home video release.

Sept. 11-13, 2014 – One Direction becomes the first group to play three nights in a row. 5 Seconds of Summer opened.

May 14, 2016 – Beyonce is the first female headliner at the stadium.

A version of this list originally appeared in the 2023 edition of Rose Magazine, a SCNG publication, and online at various SCNG websites.