monsters of rock, russia

Moscow, Russia, 28 September 1991. During an already unstable time in Russia due to unwelcome reforms by Mikhail Gorbachev a one day concert was arranged at the Tushino Airfield just outside of Moscow. The event was preceded by clashes between the KGB and young Russians making a stand against the oppression and propaganda with a few paying the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.

The concert allowed the youth culture to express their freedom and enjoyment of music, including some big name western bands. The event was free and open to everyone with an estimated turn out of 500,000 people but in response to the huge numbers of people enjoying this sense of freedom, thousands of soldiers and police were deployed to keep the crowds in check. Although the concert seems to start with a volatile atmosphere between the young fans and those keeping them in check, the end of the day saw some of the soldiers revolting by taking off their uniforms and becoming one with crowd.
If you think concerts these days have become too regulated, check this out. Here is a fantastic video of local band E.S.T. with an appropriately titled track, Bully

donington park

photo : 1980 Monsters Of Rock festival © Stuart Alexander

One of UK's most notorious festivals of music took place 26th July 1980, in the grounds of the famous motor and bike racing circuit of Donington Park. It was a natural meeting of two cultures - motor racing and rock. Though not at the same time it should be said.
On that Saturday in 1980 it was a mix of old school and the new wave of metal with ex-Deep Purple, Richie Blackmore and Rainbow, Judas Priest, Scorpions, Saxon, April Wine and Riot, that kicked off the start of the "Monsters Of Rock" festival which ran under that name until 1996.
This first festival was definitely a learning curve for the organisers who boasted a new quad speaker system to tempt the fans. Unfortunately due to some inept pyrotechnic handling for the test on Cozy Powell's drum kit the double percussion charge blew the speakers out of the cabinets to a cost of 18,000 pounds. This spectacular Spinal Tap moment left the PA sounding muddy with many complaining that it wasn't loud enough, a serious crime at a metal gig, until new speakers were brought in.
On top of that there were grim tales of toilets and a slow food supply for a larger than expected audience. The total ban on camping was also less than popular and to add further annoyance to the organisers the whole gig lost money.
But despite these set backs it was deemed a success enough for them to start all over again the next year where it continued on until 1996 when it was eventually reborn as the Download Festival which continues to this day.
Oh yes.. it takes more than an exploding PA to bring this new era of festivals for the metal army to a standstill.
Now start your engines for the weekend download

dimebag darrell

20 August 2011 would be the 45th birthday of Darrell Lance Abbott, better known as Dimebag Darrell, guitarist and founding member of Pantera and Damageplan. Pantera is widely known as one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time, with Dimebag Darrell also dubbed as one of the greatest metal guitarists.

On December 8, 2004, Dimebag Darrell was shot onstage while performing with Damageplan. This video shows Dimebag Darrell playing with Pantera at the 1991 Monsters of Rock Festival in Moscow, which was attended by an estimated 1.6 million people who had come to see bands including Pantera, Metallica and AC/DC...