Counted among the most extraordinary and controversial rock concerts ever held in Italy, the free concert was organised in Venice on a floating stage on 15 July 1989 on the occasion of the traditional Redeemer festival (festa del Redentore) at the presence of some 200,000 spectators positioned on the banks and boats of the St.

Mark's basin. The concert was broadcast by RAI worldwide with an audience of about 100 million viewers.