HISTORIC EVENT
Monsters of Rock
Historic Rock Festival
EVENT OVERVIEW
About Monsters of Rock
Monsters of Rock debuted at Donington Park on August 16, 1980 and became one of the best-known hard rock and heavy metal festival brands of the era.
HOW IT DEVELOPED
Event History
The official Monsters of Rock history says the Donington festival began in 1980 with Rainbow, Judas Priest, Scorpions, April Wine, Saxon, Riot and Touch, then continued through the 1980s with acts including AC/DC, Whitesnake, Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Dio and Mötley Crüe.
WHY HERE
Location History
The documented birthplace of the festival was Donington Park at Castle Donington in England. Class Act does not add an unsupported explanation for why the site was chosen.
BY THE NUMBERS
Attendance History
Published attendance figures vary by year. Class Act currently lists lineups and dates from the official Monsters of Rock archive and will add year-specific attendance only when tied to a named source.
WHO WAS THERE
Past Bands & Performers
1980 - August 16
- Rainbow
- Judas Priest
- Scorpions
- April Wine
- Saxon
- Riot
- Touch
1981 - August 22
- AC/DC
- Whitesnake
- Blue Öyster Cult
- Slade
- Blackfoot
- More
1982 - August 21
- Status Quo
- Gillan
- Saxon
- Hawkwind
- Uriah Heep
- Anvil
1983 - August 20
1984 - August 18
1986 - August 16
1987 - August 22
1988 - August 20
FACT CHECK
Sources & Verification
Primary source: Official Monsters of Rock concert archive
Last verified: August 28, 2026
Class Act leaves unsupported facts out rather than estimate or invent them.