The 16th editon of the Festival from July 9 to 25 opens with a musical firework. Laurie Anderson, Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club. The brasilians Milton Nascimento, Wagner Tiso and Alceu Valença are for the second evening and the king of Reggae music Jimmy Cliff and Gilberto Gil for the third evening !
The Rock music is secured by Steve Miller Band, MinkDeville and the British Climax Blues Band  who was one of the leading lights of the late ‘60s Blues boom,. Jackson Brown takes care of the Soul music and the Lounge Lizards and, this same evening Michael Schrieve (Santana’s drummer) and his band “Novo Combo” the Jazz-Rock side. The Blues evening is secured by the virtuoso Stevie Ray Vaughan who surprised many as David Bowie present in the audience who was so impressed that he requested Stevie to play guitar on his new “Let’s Dance” album. Jackson Brown, also present in the audience, offered his recording studio for Stevie to record his new album “Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble” and sign a contract with record company Epic (thanks to John Hammond senior). July 22, BB King Blues Band play for the third time in Montreux.
Again, all kinds of music styles are represented: from Charles Lloyd, Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Wynton Marsalis, Bobby McFerrin, Jay McShann, Billy Cobham’s Glass Menagerie, Eric Gale and a super session with big names : Jack Bruce, Alan Holdsworth, Didier Lockwood, David Sancious and Billy Cobham on drums. Another revelation is, with no doubt, the Jazz-Rock-Fusion Band called Steps Ahead with Mike Brecker (tenor sax), Peter Erskine (drums), Eddie Gomez (bass) Don Grolnick (keyboards) and Mike Mainieri (vibes). And July 16th, the Australian Jazz-Fusion band 'Crossfire' formed in 1974 and based in Sydney, performed at the Casino. The band members were Mark Riley (Drums), Greg Lyon (Bass, Voice), Jim Kelly (guitars), Michael Kenny (keyboards, Trumpet),Tony Buchanan (Sax, Flute) and Ian Bloxham (Percussion).
The 16th edition of the Festival deserves its eclectic reputation !  Jean Tinguely, Swiss artist, best known for his sculptural machines, designed the poster.