Watch 1000 People Perform Bowie’s ‘Rebel Rebel’

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Organizer Fabio Zaffagnini talking to the cast of 1000 at the “Rebel Rebel” performance

A clip of 1000 people performing the Foo Fighters‘ first chart hit, 1999’s “Learn To Fly,” in an Italian field went viral when it was posted on July 30, 2015. (As of January 2021, the video has been viewed over 55 million times; see it below.)

The event was organized by Rockin’ 1000 to help urge the Foos to perform in the city of Cesena. In an understatement, organizer Fabio Zaffagnini says “I guess that this video is going to be seen by a huge amount of people. But it’s been addressed for just five people,” naming the individual members of the Foo Fighters. “Our call is to ask you to come and play for us.”

Not surprisingly, the band heard about the outstanding marketing effort and were so touched by that they did, in fact, perform there on November 3, 2015. Kudos all around to the organizers, the participants and the band.

Now, the same team has duplicated their efforts for more classic rock anthems. On July 24, 2016, 1000 musicians assembled once again at Orogel Dino Manuzzi Stadium in Cesena, Italy for a full concert called “That’s Live.”

As the video breathlessly describes it: “‘That’s Live’: the first concert ever of the Biggest Rock Band on Earth!” This time, Zaffagnini says: “Musicians from all over the world came together and are giving us an incredible live show with no one [person] standing out.”

First, here’s 2015’s “Learn To Fly” performance that inspired the Foo Fighters to perform in Cesena.