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
