Home | Pink Floyd Concert Database / Roger Waters Tour Dates / Roger Waters The Wall Live in Berlin 1990
On July 21, 1990, the landscape of music and history converged in a monumental concert known as “The Wall Live in Berlin.” Staged by Roger Waters, former bassist and co-founder of Pink Floyd, the event commemorated the fall of the Berlin Wall, symbolizing the end of a divided Germany and the easing of Cold War tensions.
Held at Potsdamer Platz, a location once split in two by the infamous barrier, the concert attracted an estimated 350,000 attendees, with millions more watching live broadcasts globally. In addition to being a musical endeavour it was a significant cultural moment celebrating unity and freedom following the Cold War.
Line Up of Performers
The ambitious production featured a full rendition of Pink Floyd’s iconic 1979 album “The Wall,” reimagined for this unique occasion. Waters assembled a diverse lineup of guest artists, including Van Morrison, Cyndi Lauper, Joni Mitchell, Bryan Adams, and members of The Scorpions and The Band. These collaborations infused new interpretations into classic songs, bridging genres and reaching a wider audience.
Unprecedented Scale of the Stage
A central element of the concert was the construction and subsequent dismantling of a colossal wall on stage, spanning 550 feet in length and reaching 82 feet high. This physical structure served as a powerful metaphor for the barriers—both literal and figurative—that had separated people for decades. The stage was that big, limousines would drive across the stage!
The production’s scale was unprecedented, featuring elaborate stage designs, multimedia projections, and pyrotechnics. Logistical challenges were immense, involving coordination with the city of Berlin and a crew of thousands. Despite technical hurdles, the concert was executed seamlessly, showcasing advancements in live event production.
“The Wall Live in Berlin” was a statement on themes of isolation, division, and the human yearning for connection. The event also had a philanthropic component, raising funds for the Memorial Fund for Disaster Relief, highlighting a commitment to global humanitarian efforts.
Concert Video
The concert was recorded professionally and broadcast. It has also been released on DVD for people to relive the concert at home.
Photos of Roger Waters in Berlin Backstage
Thank you to Larry Crane, founder of Tape Op Magazine, for sending in these photos. They show behind the scenes at the Wall Live in Berlin concert. Larry said, “Actual paper pix were found in a guitar instruction book by a friend of mine who works in a used bookstore. Candid stuff and a rare glimpse in [1990].”
The Wall in Berlin Photos 1990
Here are some additional photos from the performance. These show the scale of the stage and the enormous 350,000 strong crowd. There were cranes constantly moving the props around including the enormous teacher puppet.
The Wall Live in Berlin 1990 Ticket Scan
Thanks to Bruno for sharing his ticket scan below for The Wall Live in Berlin. Given the scale of the performance in terms of audience size, it is no surprise doors opened at 2pm! Moving 350,000 people into a square is surly going to put a strain on the transport system. The performance of The Wall began at 9:30pm which was three minutes before sunset. The darkness brings the Wall to life with its light show and puppets swinging from the cranes. It must have been quite a sight and experience.
Additional Resources
Take a look through the Wall Live in Berlin Concert Programme
Links – Roger Waters Official Website
