Lionel Messi and other superstars who have performed at Jordan-Hare Stadium through the years

The recent pre-World Cup friendly featuring Argentina and Iceland was a historic night for the state of Alabama. Not only did it draw a massive crowd of 88,000 to Jordan-Hare Stadium, but it solidified its status as one of the most significant non-football events ever hosted at the venue.

A Stage for Legends

While Lionel Messi commanded the spotlight on Tuesday, the hallowed grounds of Jordan-Hare have hosted a unique variety of cultural icons throughout the years.

The Early Years: Vocal Groups and Evangelists

Before the stadium became a regular host for massive spectacles, it held more modest events. A three-man light pop vocal group—Jim Pike, Bob Engemann, and Tony Butala—played the first concert in the history of the facility, then known as Cliff Hare Stadium, shortly after its 1939 opening.

In 1965, the venue hosted the famed evangelist Billy Graham. Speaking to an integrated crowd of approximately 15,000, Graham delivered a message that his staff noted as the second-largest audience of his career at that time, trailing only his 1958 San Francisco Crusade.

The Godfather of Soul

Later that same year, James Brown and his Famous Flames electrified a crowd of 5,800. Tickets were just $1, and the intensity of the performance nearly led to a riot. According to the War Eagle Reader, the energy was so high that a committee was reportedly formed to ensure such chaotic events didn't happen again.

The Modern Concert Era

For decades, large-scale entertainment largely migrated to indoor venues like Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum and later Neville Arena. However, in 2001, The Beach Boys returned to the field for the “Keep Tiger Flying Benefit Extravaganza,” raising funds for the Southeast Raptor Rehabilitation Center. The modest crowd of 4,500 saw the school's live eagle mascot continue its tradition of flight.

It took another 15 years for a massive concert return. The “Music & Miracles Superfest,” benefiting the Chicken Salad Chick foundation, featured country stars Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, and Sam Hunt, drawing over 50,000 fans. The festival returned the following year, headlined by Blake Shelton and featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, Thomas Rhett, and Kelsea Ballerini.

Looking Ahead

While the Music & Miracles event has not been held for nearly a decade, the legacy of large events at Jordan-Hare continues. Country music star Zach Bryan is scheduled to bring his “With Heaven” tour to the stadium on October 8, though the spectacle of Messi’s arrival will surely remain a high-water mark for years to come.