26 Photos Inside the 1980s Monsters of Rock Festival

Cameron Fetter Published Yesterday in ftw

The Monsters of Rock festival ran from 1980 to 1996, and featured some of the most famous and influential hard rock and heavy metal acts in the world. Bands like AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and Metallica graced the stage in the British town of Castle Donington throughout the 80s.

Monsters of Rock pioneered the single-day festival format, and what a whirlwind of a single day it was. Check out these pics of the famous bands of yesteryear rocking the stage. Hope you brought your earplugs!

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1.
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian at Monsters of Rock 1987.
2.
Metallica backstage at Monsters of Rock 1985.
3.
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora onstage at Monsters of Rock 1987.
4.
Ronnie James Dio onstage at Monsters of Rock 1983, just three months after releasing Holy Diver.
5.
Meat Loaf at Monsters of Rock 1983.
6.
Gillan performing at Monsters of Rock 1982.
7.
Dave Hill, guitarist of Slade, eggs on the crowd at Monsters of Rock 1981.
8.
The Monsters of Rock stage in 1983.
9.
A festivalgoer enjoying Scorpions at Monsters of Rock 1980.
10.
April Wine at Monsters of Rock 1980.
11.
Monsters of Rock 1980.
12.
Judas Priest at Monsters of Rock 1980.
13.
Crowd shot of the first Monsters of Rock festival, 1980.
14.
Saxon performing at Monsters of Rock 1980.
15.
Festivalgoers waiting in line for food in 1981. No trendy snacks, just good old-fashioned hamburgers and fish and chips.
16.
British glam rock band Slade performing in 1981
17.
Attendees hanging out between bands in 1982
18.
This photo shows that the 1981 Monsters of Rock festival may have lacked adequate ‘public conveniences’
19.
Monsters of Rock attendees braving the inclement weather
20.
Saxon performing in 1980, at the first Monsters of Rock festival.
21.
A view from the stage in 1981
22.
Eddie Van Halen walking to the stage at Monsters of Rock 1984.
23.
Uriah Heep performing in 1982
24.
First ever Monsters of Rock festival poster
25.
A view from the stage in 1981
26.
Ozzy Osbourne at the final Monsters of Rock festival, in 1996.

1.
Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian at Monsters of Rock 1987.
2.
Metallica backstage at Monsters of Rock 1985.
3.
Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora onstage at Monsters of Rock 1987.
4.
Ronnie James Dio onstage at Monsters of Rock 1983, just three months after releasing Holy Diver.
5.
Meat Loaf at Monsters of Rock 1983.
6.
Gillan performing at Monsters of Rock 1982.
7.
Dave Hill, guitarist of Slade, eggs on the crowd at Monsters of Rock 1981.
8.
The Monsters of Rock stage in 1983.
9.
A festivalgoer enjoying Scorpions at Monsters of Rock 1980.
10.
April Wine at Monsters of Rock 1980.
11.
Monsters of Rock 1980.
12.
Judas Priest at Monsters of Rock 1980.
13.
Crowd shot of the first Monsters of Rock festival, 1980.
14.
Saxon performing at Monsters of Rock 1980.
15.
Festivalgoers waiting in line for food in 1981. No trendy snacks, just good old-fashioned hamburgers and fish and chips.
16.
British glam rock band Slade performing in 1981
17.
Attendees hanging out between bands in 1982
18.
This photo shows that the 1981 Monsters of Rock festival may have lacked adequate ‘public conveniences’
19.
Monsters of Rock attendees braving the inclement weather
20.
Saxon performing in 1980, at the first Monsters of Rock festival.
21.
A view from the stage in 1981
22.
Eddie Van Halen walking to the stage at Monsters of Rock 1984.
23.
Uriah Heep performing in 1982
24.
First ever Monsters of Rock festival poster
25.
A view from the stage in 1981
26.
Ozzy Osbourne at the final Monsters of Rock festival, in 1996.