Four decades have passed since Vancouver hosted the 1986 World Exposition on Transportation and Communication, commonly known as Expo 86. The fair, held from May 2 to October 13, 1986, under the theme 'World in Motion. World in Touch,' attracted over 22 million visitors. Attendees were treated to an eclectic global lineup of talent performing at venues such as the Labatt Expo Theatre, Kodak Pacific Bowl, and Xerox International Theatre. Looking back, the artist roster reads like a history of contemporary music, with some acts still touring today.
From rock 'n' roll and soul originators like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Ray Charles to blues rocker Stevie Ray Vaughan, jazz legend Miles Davis, and electropop royalty Depeche Mode, the six-month run of concerts kept music fans smiling through spring, summer, and fall. With so many performers and stages, crafting a retrospective of Expo 86's musical legacy is no easy task. The range of genres represented a multi-generational gathering of stars unprecedented in the region, and many memorable shows were by artists who never played Vancouver again. Here are 10 highlights from Expo 86, as covered by the Vancouver Sun and Province.
1. A Gala Evening at Expo 86
May 3, 1986, Expo Theatre: With then-Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the audience, the event kicked off with a show hosted by Howie Mandel featuring Sheena Easton, Idle Eyes, Veronique Beliveau, Loverboy, Bryan Adams, and headliner Kenny Rogers. Diana was a hit backstage, meeting with Adams and Loverboy.
2. Roy Orbison
May 28, Expo Theatre: Only a year away from forming the Traveling Wilburys supergroup with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty, Orbison was on the comeback trail. His voice was flawless as he delivered a master class in growling during 'Pretty Woman.'
3. Urban Sax
June 8, False Creek and Plaza of Nations: Probably the most avant-garde event of the exposition, the French saxophone ensemble Urban Sax dropped its distinctive minimalist spectacle on the city. A crowd estimated between 10,000 and 15,000 jammed the Plaza of Nations as lights went out and a rocket exploded over False Creek, cueing a barge billowing smoke and backlit by hot-white searchlights.
4. Rita MacNeil
July-August, Canada Pavilion/Xerox International Theatre/Folklife for Cape Breton: Maritime music hero Rita MacNeil received a massive career push from her Expo 86 appearances. A reviewer noted: 'Two years ago, MacNeil had trouble filling large halls. Today, you have to line up to see the lady dynamo from Big Pond, N.S.' She would become an international ambassador of Eastern Canadian folk.
Other highlights include performances by Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Miles Davis, and Depeche Mode, each leaving an indelible mark on the fair's legacy. Expo 86 remains a landmark event in Vancouver's cultural history, showcasing a world of entertainment that continues to resonate.
