10 Biggest Hard Rock & Metal Gigs Of All Time
3. US Festival - 1983
In the early 80's, festivals centered around metal music were very few and far between. Sure, there were occasional tours with big name metal acts, but there was never one gig that took the best of hard rock onto one stage. That is...not until the US Festival came along.
Descending upon California in 1983, the US Festival may have single-handedly launched the next movement for hard rock bands. While the old guard bands like Judas Priest turned up to kick things into high gear, the fresh faces like Quiet Riot and Motley Crue showcased the new regime of rock and roll: hair metal. Before they would turn their act into an entire spectacle, Motley Crue emerged onto the stage ready to kill, as they tear through some of their classic early material like "Live Wire" and "Shout at the Devil."
Just on the cusp of hard rock, bands like the Scorpions also make appearances to showcase the other sides of the genre's abrasive tendencies. By the time Van Halen brought the entire day to a close, fans are left drowning in some of the greatest riffs that hard rock has ever unleashed. Long before bands like the Big 4 brought down the house, the US Festival gave metalheads a helping of every great band on one sweaty day in California.