Looking Back: Monsters of Rock Tour

The original Monsters of Rock Tour was a legendary concert tour that took place in the summer of 1984. The tour featured some of the biggest names in rock music, including Van Halen, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, and Motley Crue, and drew huge crowds across the United States.

The tour kicked off on June 30, 1984, in Castle Donington, England, with a lineup that included AC/DC, Van Halen, Gary Moore, Y&T, and Ozzy Osbourne. The concert was a huge success, drawing a crowd of 35,000 fans who were treated to an unforgettable show by some of the biggest names in rock.

The tour then moved to the United States, with seven shows across the country. The lineup for the US leg of the tour included Van Halen, Scorpions, Ozzy Osbourne, and Motley Crue, with some shows also featuring the addition of Dio and Accept.

The tour was a massive success, with fans packing stadiums across the country to see their favorite bands perform live. The concert was a rare opportunity for fans to see some of the biggest names in rock music in one place, and it remains a seminal moment in the history of rock music.

Apart from the amazing performances by each band, what made the tour legendary was the sheer scale of it. The Monsters of Rock Tour set the precedent for rock concert tours to follow by bringing together some of the biggest names in the industry in a grand spectacle of epic proportions.

The Monsters of Rock Tour remains one of the greatest concert tours of all time. It brought together some of the biggest names in rock music and set the standard for what a rock concert tour should be. The tour's legacy lives on to this day, with many in the industry still citing it as an inspiration and benchmark for their own work.

Remembering the US Festival

The US festival was a groundbreaking music festival that took place in San Bernardino, California, in 1982 and 1983. It was created by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and was designed to celebrate the convergence of technology and music. The festival featured some of the biggest names in music at that time and had a significant impact on the music industry.

The first US festival, which took place over Labor Day weekend in 1982, was a three-day event that cost over $10 million to produce. The festival featured a diverse lineup of artists that included The Police, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, and The Cars. Over 400,000 people attended the festival, making it one of the largest music festivals at that time.

One of the unique aspects of the US festival was its focus on technology. The festival featured a "Technology and Future" area, which showcased the latest in computer technology, video games, and other cutting-edge technology. It was a revolutionary concept that combined two of Wozniak's passions, music and technology.

The festival was also noteworthy for its emphasis on philanthropy. Wozniak donated a portion of the festival's profits to various charitable organizations, including the San Bernardino School District and the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

The US festival returned in May 1983 with a new lineup of artists that included David Bowie, U2, and Van Halen. Despite the success of 1982's festival, the second US festival was less successful in terms of attendance and profitability. However, it still made a significant impact on the music industry and laid the groundwork for future music festivals.

The US festival was an innovative music festival that celebrated the convergence of technology and music. Its unique approach and emphasis on philanthropy made it a groundbreaking event that left a lasting impact on the music industry. While the festival only lasted for two years, its contribution to music and technology will never be forgotten.

Retro Review: Van Halen - 1984

Van Halen's sixth album, "1984", marked a new direction for the band. With a synthesizer-driven sound that was more polished and radio-friendly than their earlier work, the album showcased a different side of the group's musical talents. The album's standout tracks include the soaring ballad "Jump," the energetic "Panama," and the driving guitar riff of "Hot for Teacher."

While some fans didn't appreciate the more commercial sound, "1984" undoubtedly helped propel Van Halen to even greater heights of success. The album topped the charts, and "Jump" became one of the band's most recognizable hits.

Overall, "1984" is a must-listen for fans of Van Halen and 80s rock in general. It may not have the same raw energy and guitar heroics as the band's earlier albums, but it showcases a mature and accomplished band that was unafraid to experiment with new sounds and styles. With "1984", Van Halen cemented their place as one of the most important rock bands of the decade.