Riverdance, the original 7 minute performance as the Interval Act of Eurovision Song Contest 1994.
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- Опубликовано: 24 апр 2024
- On 30th April 1994, Riverdance, the original seven-minute performance was the interval act at the Eurovision Song Contest at The Point Theatre, Dublin (now the 3Arena) and was broadcast to an estimated 300 million viewers worldwide.
As votes were being counted around Europe, Riverdance burst onto the stage and took the audience by complete surprise. From the haunting vocals of Anúna, the graceful elegance of Jean Butler, the explosive arrival of Michael Flatley and culminating in a long line of Irish dancers beating the stage in perfect heart-stopping harmony, a whole new genre of entertainment was born.
30 years on with over 30 million audience members later and a worldwide viewership of 3.5 billion, Riverdance continues to astonish audiences globally.
“The phenomenon rolls on!… There will always be a Riverdance!” THE NEW YORK TIMES 
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Jeez, I watched it live and here in 2024, ALL the goosebumps all over again!!!!!!! ;-)
I remember being blown away by this on the night. For my money, it's still the single greatest ever performance at ANY Eurovision, and that includes the songs!
Yes I remember seeing this on the night. It was stunning and mind blowing never having ever seen Irish Dancing before even this was on a new level.
The bar is a bit low though isn’t it?
Can YOU do it?
I saw Riverdance in New York City some 25 years ago - and I agree: it was mesmerizing! One of the vocalists had such an ethereally beautiful voice - and she was just the understudy! It really was an assemblage of amazingly talented performers. 🤩
Agree with you.
No matter how many times I watch this, I never get bored, it's awesome
Still get chills 30 years later watching this performance.
When Riverdance was airing on PBS I was getting off work at midnight. I stumbled on to it with my conventional TV. I'd watch it for a while captivated but annoyed that I was not seeing it from the beginning and moved to something else. It was not until sometime later that I got to see it start to finish. My take: the finale by itself is worth the price of admission and then there was Jean Butler. I was in my early 40s by then and one never given to celebrity crushes but I had stars in my eyes for several years over her.
in tears here. Way better than the shit we'e got going forward today -
And I'm just seeing it for the very first time in 2024!!! 💖
A moment in time that still has the same impact years later
Magical, beautiful and everlasting
I remember seeing both these two dancing as I was in the front row with my aunt who is now 93 years old and I still visit her every week to shop for her. Afterwards we got to meet him in person. I had a camera with a setting for long horizontal which I'd turn 90 degrees to get the full length of a body. I got one of me holding my arm around Michael Flatley's shoulders and he's quite small and about as wet as a man getting out of a swimming pool after all that dancing. He was surprised for the picture, but it was a great shot of the full length of both of us.
I think asked my aunt who was in her 60s if she wanted a picture with him and she said, "When he smells like that? Hell, no" and Michael Flatley just busted up laughing.
If you watch Eurovison 2024 after this you may want to bring a bucket.
Nice! Can't stop chuckling!
Was thinking the same thing
I remember watching it live and being blown away. The whole country was infatuated with it. Nobody can remember the Eurovision itself but everybody remembers Riverdance.
well i don’t know what country your on about but the trainers / dance teachers wasn’t in Ireland
@@paulcrawley5687 Never said they were. Think you must have commented on someone else's comment. I can only assume
When the world knew Ireland for the Troubles and U2 this largely forgotten ancient Irish subculture hit the whole world like a glorious happy hammer. 👍👍
You had and have every right to be infatuated with this. It's just perfect.
World, meet Riverdance… Riverdance meet world! This is the place where history was made that forever changed the world. They raised the bar of dance artistry, to its highest level. Plus, everyone who saw them somehow gained some Irish DNA from that day through today and beyond. It will continue until our sun sheds the last of its light…
The two best things to come out of Eurovision, Riverdance and ABBA!
Celine Dion might want a word with you (but otherwise I agree).
And Hard Rock Halleluja.
Northern Kings
Unbelievable to think this is 30 years old today. As electrifying now as it was then.
This will never age. It still gets the spirits soaring and it brought Irish dance to the world. The singing at the beginning it magical. Superb
totaly agree I also love the drums has well the whole peformance was spellbinding
Magic, best ever, music, dancing just outstanding
You can keep the music and the dancing thanks
Irish dancing kept pretty quiet for 100s of years then BOOM! 👍👍
No-one remembers who won 1994. Everyone remembers Riverdance.
I'm a black woman living in Philadelphia and I, along with some friends, have tickets for the show next April. Already excited... 1 year ahead of time !!!! ❤❤❤🥰
Hi I’m from S Jersey.. and I’ve been following river dance since 1995.. I first saw them while I was at work and fell in love.. I’ve never been able to go see them. I’d be excited too.. are they at the convention center again? I hope it’s a nice day and your heart filled with joy..God bless
@@katieks48 Hi. They are going to be at the Kimmel Center. That's on the campus at Temple University.
Hi Jocelyn,
If you’re a black woman…you’re honorary Irish !
🥰
@@davidhryan thank you for that compliment !!! 🤗 My dad was in the Air Force in the 1950's and he was stationed in England where my older sister was born. So even though she's not Irish, she came close !!! Lol !!! Ironically she is a professional dancer. ( Ballet). I turned her onto Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and she loooves it !!! I found out last year, watching videos of competitions, that there are Irish dance troupes for people over 50.. I'm looking to see if they have classes. I'm 59 and may be too old for the jumps and kicks but I love a challenge and it would be fun to try !!! 😃
What relevance is your colour?
This is still thrilling 30 years later. Incredible
After all these years it is still spine tingling!
The first time I saw this - I thought it was the best thing I had ever seen. It still makes me feel good
It is the best thing I have ever seen
Our youngest daughter started Irish Dancing in 1997 and qualified for the World Championships with her team in 1999. They eventually went to two World's competitions, first in 2002 and again in 2005. She danced for a total of 12 years and her mom andI enjoyed all of it, especially the travel to cities where she competed and met some real nice folks.
That is really cool! Such an astounding dance.
Wow❤🎉😮
No one cares
@@MB-tr5sz I wouldn't be so sure ...
Irish dance is incredibly athletic. It takes talent and hard work to get to Worlds!
I'd seen clips of the original, but this is the first time I'd seen it all the way through. I now understand why it was such a phenomenon! IMHO Jean Butler deserved way more credit for her part.
2024 and I'm still so amazed by this unbelievable performance 👏👏👏👏👌
I swear in my memory there were about a thousand dancers on the stage that night! 😆 That’s the impact they all had, sounding like an army! Bravo.
I remember it the same way! At the age of 6, I couldn't believe that so many thousand people knew how to move their legs that fast!
Same thing here . Watching it now I go like “where are ethe other thousand dancers I saw that night” brilliant
This never gets old! 2024 I still get the chills watching it.
Absolutely, remember it so well. I live in Zimbabwe and flew to Johannesburg as the show brought out with Michael Flatley sensational.
@@normacoope8239 superb indeed
I remember watching this....and being totally mesmerized by this whole dance scenario...thinking ''what the heck is this''...but blown away at the same time....incredible performance!!! Still gets my juices flowing watching this again!
Even after all these years it still hasn’t diminished its appeal.
I remember this well, probably the finest interval performance in Euro history. Watching it back again it’s interesting to hear the half hearted audience applause before, and then the bedlam and standing ovation afterwards. 😊
This still brings a tear to the eye 30 years later. Because of Michael Flatley, The dam broke and the floods of Irish dancing and Irish music raged throughout the World. It is because of him, millions, billions of people were introduced to the Irish dancing world. How many VHS cassettes were purchased of the show and so many now wanted to be a Irish dancer just like the Riverdance show! I hope Ireland thanked him for this emotional breathtaking performance and how so many Irish dancing schools opened up around the World! Thank you Mr. Michael Flatley~ 🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀
let include jean butler in the homage
@@eightieslivenow7579Absolutely!
I saw them with my daughter in 1996/97 in Norfolk VA. I believe Jean Butler and Michael Flatley was still with them. It was an amazing performance, one you need to see in person to appreciate.
5:21 - never fails to bring a lump to my throat, hearing those taps. I watched this live with my wife who was a dancer. We both thought it was one of the greatest things we had ever seen.
One of the most exciting dance performances I have ever seen. That was electric!
this is my favourite piece of Eurovision ever
I've seen this perform live n it was the best thing ever
Vividly remember seeing this live and the goosebumps I got were overwhelming! I was 15 and only used to listening to dance music on Radio 1! It is an absolutely breathtaking performance.
The Night we irish showed the World that we are amazing people.
We've always known that. From an Aussie who's happily been to Ireland and kissed the Blarney stone.
The first time I saw Riverdance was on a PBS special presentation of the first full show. I and my two roommates were so astonished that we sat through the whole show with our mouths hanging open, not speaking a word. I took my mother to the live show on tour in San Francisco in 1998. I was even more mesmerized, as was my mother. The best show ever.
I totally agree
I remember watching this in the Beachcomber pub in Killester and thinking it was extraordinary and also that Jean Butler was an absolute fox.
After all these years, still absolutely amazing!!
Jean Butler & Michael Flatley were incredible in the beginning years -- 30 years ago the Irish Step-Dancing they epitomized here started a true phenomenon which is RiverDance! ☆☆☆☆☆ ♡♡
I saw this on television at the time and it. Was. Magical. I was completely dumbfounded by it. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before or since. A proud time to be Irish 🇨🇮
I'm with you! I stumbled on it while channel surfing and after intensely watching for a few minutes, leaning into the t.v. set, I realized I hadn't closed my mouth the whole time. Truly a "jaw-on-the-floor" moment. Can't believe it's been 30 years!
30 years later and still remains one of the best interval act performances went go down in history. Great flashback. ❤
Absolutely THRILLING. I can’t wait to see my next live Riverdance performance. A historical and cultural treasure.
They were truly phenomenal dancers.
Still blown away and still wonderful.
I remember watching this at home with my mam and being utterly blown away by what we had just watched. I had never seen anything like this before in my life. Just magical. Brings tears to my eyes still 🇮🇪
Me too. It was one of the last things I saw with my mum, so very special memories. We just had the TV on in the background and were blown away when this came on. I've seen a version in Canberra, Australia some years ago
Brings back so many great memories!
I was 12 years old watching this at home in Ireland with my family when it aired.. We were all gobsmacked and now 30 years later it's still just as spectacular now. Seen the live show in person last December.
I was 14. It was one of those tv moments you don’t forget. People talk about the dancing of course but the singers and drummers and musicians were all brilliant too.
I was 12 too and remember this as truly magical!
Incredible when you realise that the dancers touring with this show today weren't even alive in 1994!
Still get goosebumps..so unexpected. Who knew this would be such an International sensation..and still going ❤
it still makes the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. just goosebumps
Of all the shows I worked on as a member of the Point Crew for 18 yrs this was my favorite memory, I was a follow spot operator for this historic event.
I feel like we don’t have television moments like this anymore.
I saw Riverdance when it first appeared in London many years ago. Its still one of the best shows I've ever seen. Amazing talent and great entertainment.
One of the best interval acts at Eurovision I've ever seen. From the choir to the dancers and music everything came together for 7 minutes and transported people away from the 1994 contest for a second.
The man hours it took to rehearse this making sure everyone tapped in sync must be commended.
This made Irish Dancing more mainstream making everyone in the world notice than just people in Ireland who already knew about it and certainly eclipsed every else that night as often has been stated.
As Sir Terry Wogan said, "You didn't need to be Irish to like that." which I completely agree with been accessible to anyone whatever country they're from and having loved the show myself ever since and seen live for their 20th anniversary and will see again next year for their 30th then.
This was on my 9th birthday and as an Irish person it still gives me a lump in my throat to this day especially since it was performed on home soil. Simply breathtaking ❤
A mere interval act changed the dance world. 💪
THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!! Julie Gill, Glasgow, Scotland.
So freaking cool.
I truly love this performance.
I still get goosebumps from watching this.
I have watched the original performance hundreds of times, and it still gives me goosebumps at the end! When Jean and Michael look at each other, you know they're so proud of what they have done.
Saw Michael Flatley in Atlanta was most amazing show ever. He exhibited such sexuality and pure talent. Will never forget it.
Not just the high point of this particular Eurovision, but the high point of Eurovision, period. I love to watch this. Not just for the music but for the ecstatic response from the audience at the end.
My mom's friend (an Irish dance teacher) sent us (in the US) a VHS copy of this a week after it aired in Europe. We wore that cassette out. We saw Riverdance live 3 times, and Lord of the Dance 4 times. Had the honor of meeting Michael backstage on most of those occasions. Those kids work out and rehearse for HOURS prior to the show. Wonderful memories!
Ye brings tears to your eyes, what passion and bloody natural pride, 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪☘️☘️☘️👏👏👏👏👏👏
Made my day. Still riveting!!!
Its been a long time since I have seen this. Absolutely Stunning.
Saw this in Birmingham all those years ago and I still get goosebumps when I see and hear it,it was in the week before Princess Diana's funeral which made I'd even more poignant they had a 2 minute silence for her and you could have heard a pin drop so emotional and so wonderful 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤❤❤❤
No other country will EVER beat this. I can't even remember who won but will never forget this. From the sublime voice to the dancers was perfection. I have since seen the actual show 3 times. As good as they all have been no one can equal Michael and Jean
Even after over thirty years still as incredible as it was that first night.
Still absolutely breathtaking 😍
Still well up watching this - beauty and perfection at once ❤️
Amazing.....remember watching this at the time .30years ago..i was 26...😱
The phenomenon that is Riverdance, the best 7 mins ever to grace our TV screens. Gave me shivers as much today as it did 30 years ago, truly spectacular. 🌟🌟🌟
And THIS is why the Irish could never be beaten in anything more than the most temporary of ways. The Irish always rise up, more stubborn and optimistic and full of heart than before. Knock them down and they only get up even faster, stronger...and probably laughing at you, too. This is the unconquerable spirit of a people.
The first time I saw them on TV was unlike anything I've ever seen before. It tugged at me on the deepest level of my soul, stirring something primal in me. It was almost as if I could see my Viking ancestors in my mind.
I remember watching it in 1994 (I don't watch the Eurovision Song Contest any more!) and being just as gobsmacked as the live audience there clearly were! It's still magical, such precision.
The amazing part is... This show never gets old. Same explosive wonderful energy. Pure joy
Yep, still gets me... Remember when I saw it on telly, true shock and amazement :)
saw it live in melbourne a couple weeks ago, it was breathtaking
So young back then. always proud that Michael came from Chicago.
A sparkling diamond amidst the dross that is Eurovision.
Best EVER!!!! I will never, ever forget seeing it the 1st time
So proud to be Irish. They know how to put on a great show ❤
You should be proud. Riverdance was the show that got me hooked on Irish music. I saw it and Celtic Woman in person several times when these shows toured America. I never tire of this dance and music. Some of my ancestry is Irish and Scottish and maybe that's why I got hooked on it, a racial memory maybe?
Still gives me goosebumps when I watch this today as it did then.
Hard to believe that it is 30 years ago tonight that this performance was first performed. Excellent performance by all concerned.
Michael Flatley - the master of The Dance.
❤ Greetings from coastal Mississippi. I have witnessed Riverdance many times. Have even been privileged to meet the cast❤
Couldn’t believe what we watched. We were a group of 6 watching the esc that night which wasn’t very good that year and then this happened and we were just lost for words. Remember all 6 of us going wtf was that. Brilliant
So peaceful to watch.
Still better than anything you'll see at Eurovision 2024
Of all the wonderful female dancers that partnered Michael Flatley over the decades, Jean Butler was the best. ❤
And Michael was better than them all
@@Jesakin-rl7zq Absolutely.....Michael was a supreme showman on top of his dancing genius. The only dancers I see even coming close are the Gardiner Brothers. Unfortunately, since Michael.retired, Irish dancing has slipped in general public attention which means many people have not heard of the Gardiner Brothers. 😔
@snowysnowyriver I have been seeing them on video, in USA, especially when Beyoncé's Texas Hold'em first came out and everybody was dancing to it. I might be Australian but Ireland is my spiritual home.
@@kalayne6713 It's excellent if they are getting a wider audience. They deserve it! 👍
I remember watching this and falling in love with step dancing and thsingers. Magical.
Wife and I took our children to Riverdance a few times when it was touring. Always a fantastic experience! Many evenings, we'd watch variations of the performance on our VCR too. Great memories.
I was due to give birth to my youngest son any day and I can remember watching this and my son was kicking like crazy during the whole thing.
Une performance artistique d'une grande beauté, quel talent, culte, extraordinaire !
Still brings tears to my eyes.
This made my little girl want to learn Irish Dance. 28 trophies and many feis later, my daughter was fantastic and it was worth every minute!
Best performance ever.
From the moment I was first introduced to this I loved it. I would have loved being able to learn this dancing as a child.
Dear God, compare this masterpiece to Eurovision 2024. There is no comparison. 2024 feels like it scraped the gutters to find any old crap to put on stage. I watched 1994 in real time and at every step change in the performance I felt “it can’t get better” but it did, and then it hit another level and I said “it can’t get any better” but it did, until we had a line of dancers in perfect step with uillean pipes going full tilt, the look on Jean Butler’s and Flatley’s faces was sublime, it just said, “we know this is f****n’ brilliant, and we’re loving it”. It was the greatest Eurovision ever beyond doubt.
A great memory
This still gives me goosebumps 30yrs later!
I remember getting the US CD soundtrack as a birthday present. I think I wore out the player before I wore out the CD!🤣
Brilliant.
One of the few good things to come from eurovision . This was amazing .
I was delighted meet many of the crew in Rotterdam and they were really wonderful and professional but very personal as well