On this day August 16 1980, the very first Monsters of Rock festival was held at Donington Park in England. Created as a celebration of heavy rock and metal, it brought together some of the biggest acts in the genre at the time. The lineup included Judas Priest, The Scorpions, Rainbow, April Wine, Saxon, Riot, and Touch, drawing tens of thousands of fans to the open-air event.
The success of the festival made it an annual tradition throughout the 1980s, cementing Donington Park as a landmark venue for rock music. The debut event captured the energy, power, and spirit of the metal scene at its peak, uniting fans from across the UK and beyond.
80s insight: The Monsters of Rock festival became a rite of passage for heavy metal fans, offering legendary live performances that still resonate with rock history.
The success of the festival made it an annual tradition throughout the 1980s, cementing Donington Park as a landmark venue for rock music. The debut event captured the energy, power, and spirit of the metal scene at its peak, uniting fans from across the UK and beyond.
80s insight: The Monsters of Rock festival became a rite of passage for heavy metal fans, offering legendary live performances that still resonate with rock history.
