The Us Festival Lineup featured Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Triumph, Scorpions and Van Halen. The Us Festival was an annual music festival that took place in the United States during the early 1980s.
The festival was first held in 1982 and was organized by Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak. It was a celebration of technology and rock music, and the lineup was outstanding with performances from popular artists such as Dave Edmunds, Eddie Money, Santana, The Cars, The Kinks, Pat Benatar, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
However, it was the 1983 Us Festival that became legendary, featuring a lineup of heavy metal acts such as Quiet Riot, Motley Crue, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Triumph, Scorpions and Van Halen. Despite the high attendance, the festival failed to turn a profit, leading to its eventual demise.
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The History Of The Us Festival
The US Festival was a music festival held between 1982-83 in San Bernardino, California. The standout lineup included major bands like Van Halen, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Triumph, Scorpions, Santana, The Cars, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Overview Of The Festival’s Background
The US Festival, organized by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and designed as a keynote event for live rock music, marked a significant epoch in the history of music festivals. It was held twice in Southern California, San Bernardino County – first in September 1982 and then in May 1983 – at the Glen Helen Regional Park. The festival’s grandeur line-up, sprawling facilities, and the ‘State of the Art’ stage technology set a new benchmark for the outdoor stadium events for years to come.
The First Us Festival
The inaugural festival, held on Labor Day weekend in 1982, was a three-day tie-up of rock, heavy metal, and new wave music genres. The first day featured rock bands such as Ramones, B52’s, Talking Heads, and The Police. However, the 2nd day boasted the heaviest-ever lineup of heavy metal bands on American soil, including Van Halen, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, and Scorpions. Finally, the 3rd day attracted a new wave audience with acts from the likes of Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, The Cars, Pat Benatar, Eddie Money, and Dave Edmunds.
The Second Us Festival
Keeping the momentum from the 1982 edition, the 2nd US Music Festival in 1983 had five days of genre-based music highlighted by the likes of Stevie Nicks, David Bowie, U2, and the Pretenders. The Heavy Metal Day drew the highest attendance of almost 375,000, but the festival’s financial proceeds turned out to be far short of predicted earnings, resulting in the end of the US Festival as a brand. But despite its brief time, the unique festival still has a place in the hearts of the thousands of music fans that attended it. To conclude, the US Festival’s rich legacy, gathering both groundbreaking performers and cutting-edge staging, not only changed the music experience of millions of fans but also served as a blueprint for festivals to come.
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The Lineup For The 1982 Us Festival
The 1982 US Festival was held in San Bernardino County, California over Memorial Day weekend and attracted a staggering 670,000 people over its three days. The festival was organized by Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Inc., and featured a diverse lineup of musicians and bands spanning across different genres.
Stellar Cast Of Performers
The festival featured a stellar cast of performers who had established themselves as musical legends or were on the verge of superstardom. The lineup included influential artists like Fleetwood Mac, The Police, Talking Heads, and The Grateful Dead, who delivered mesmerizing performances that continue to be the stuff of legend in music history.
Musicians And Bands That Performed
Other musicians and bands that performed included Pat Benatar, Eddie Money, Santana, The Cars, The Kinks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Heavy metal enthusiasts were treated to performances by Van Halen, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, and Triumph, while classic rock enthusiasts reveled in The Scorpions’s electrifying performance.
The Us Festival lineup was like no other, with over 35 bands and musicians playing across two stages to a massive crowd of enthusiastic concert-goers, creating a unique and memorable experience.
The Lineup For The 1983 Us Festival
The 1983 US Festival had an impressive lineup featuring popular bands such as Van Halen, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Triumph, Scorpions, and more. Held in San Bernardino, the festival drew in a large crowd and was a major music event in the US.
Bands And Musicians That Played
The 1983 US Festival’s lineup was a star-studded affair, featuring some of the biggest names in music. The festival was held in Glen Helen Regional Park, San Bernardino, California, and was organized by the legendary Apple co-founder, Steve Wozniak. The festival had three different themes for different genres: the first theme was new wave, heavy metal for the second, and rock for the third. The festival was divided into two parts and was held on Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day weekend, respectively. Some of the well-known and influential bands that played in the 1983 US Festival are:
| Band/Musician | Genre |
|---|---|
| Van Halen | Heavy Metal |
| Quiet Riot | Heavy Metal |
| Judas Priest | Heavy Metal |
| Mötley Crüe | Heavy Metal/Rock |
| Triumph | Rock |
| Scorpions | Heavy Metal/Rock |
| The Cars | New Wave |
| The Kinks | Rock |
| Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | Rock |
| Patti Smith | New Wave |
| David Bowie | New Wave/Rock |
| Santana | Rock/Latin Rock |
Comparing The 1982 And 1983 Lineups
The 1983 US Festival lineup was significantly different from its predecessor in 1982. While the 1982 US Festival had a more diverse set of genres, the 1983 festival was heavily dominated by heavy metal and rock groups. The 1982 US festival included country, blues, and even New Orleans jazz, while the 1983 festival primarily focused on rock and heavy metal. Some of the acts that played in the 1982 US Festival were The Police, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Oingo Boingo, and Jimmy Buffett. In contrast, the 1983 festival had more heavy metal acts, including Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, and Van Halen. In conclusion, the 1983 US Festival lineup was a testament to the impressive curation skills of Steve Wozniak, who managed to bring together some of the biggest names in rock and heavy metal for an unforgettable festival experience.
Memorable Performances At The Festival
The US Festival, which took place in 1982 and 1983 in San Bernardino, California, was one of the most epic music festivals of all time. Featuring some of the biggest names in rock and heavy metal, the festival was packed with unforgettable performances that still resonate with music fans today. Here are just a few of the most memorable performances from the festival:
Van Halen’s Legendary Performance
Van Halen’s performance at the 1983 US Festival is still regarded as one of the greatest live shows of all time. The band’s explosive set included hits like “Jump,” “Panama,” and “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” and frontman David Lee Roth’s eccentric stage presence had the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand. By the end of the show, the audience was whipped into a frenzy, and Van Halen had cemented their status as one of the biggest bands on the planet.
The Scorpions’ Epic Set
The Scorpions’ performance at the 1983 US Festival was another highlight of the event. The German metal band played a show that was both powerful and emotional, with frontman Klaus Meine delivering a performance that was raw and heartfelt. The group’s set included hits like “Rock You Like a Hurricane” and “No One Like You,” and the energy and passion they brought to the stage left a lasting impression on everyone who was there.
The Kinks And The Cars Rock The Crowd
Two other unforgettable performances at the US Festival came from The Kinks and The Cars. The Kinks, one of the most influential British rock bands of all time, played a set that was both energetic and soulful, with frontman Ray Davies belting out classics like “Lola” and “All Day and All of the Night.” Meanwhile, The Cars delivered a powerhouse performance that included hits like “Just What I Needed” and “Good Times Roll,” cementing their place as one of the catchiest and most talented bands of the era.
The US Festival may have been a long time ago, but its legacy still lives on. With performances that were both powerful and unforgettable, the festival helped to shape the course of rock and roll history and left an indelible mark on the music world. If you were lucky enough to be there, you know that it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you’ll never forget.
Impact Of The Festival On The Music Industry
The Us Festival Lineup featured renowned artists such as Van Halen, Santana, The Cars, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This iconic music festival had a significant impact on the music industry in 1982 and 1983, attracting huge crowds and generating substantial revenue.
Influence On Music Festivals Today
The US Festival was a precursor to the modern-day music festivals that we know today. It set the standard high with its innovative and diverse line-up, huge crowds, and state-of-the-art technology at the time. Today, there are dozens of music festivals held every year across the world, and many of them owe their success to the US Festival. The sheer scale of the US Festival, with its sprawling venues and massive crowds, proved that music festivals could be a viable business opportunity for investors, and could attract music lovers from across the country.
Legacy Of The Us Festival
The impact of the US Festival on the music industry was far-reaching. It helped to establish the careers of many of its performers, like Van Halen and Quiet Riot, who went on to become some of the most iconic bands of their time. It also showed the world that music festivals could be much more than just a day out in the sun. They could be transformative experiences, where music lovers could come together in celebration of their shared love for music. The US Festival’s legacy continues to be felt to this day, with music festivals around the world striving to emulate its success.
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Frequently Asked Questions On The Us Festival Lineup
What Bands Played At The 1982 Us Festival?
The 1982 US Festival featured a stellar lineup including Dave Edmunds, Eddie Money, Santana, The Cars, The Kinks, Pat Benatar, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Other notable performers were Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Triumph, Scorpions, and Van Halen.
What Bands Played At The Us Festival 1983?
The US Festival 1983 featured various big names in the music industry such as Dave Edmunds, Eddie Money, Pat Benatar, Santana, The Cars, The Kinks, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Quiet Riot, Mötley Crüe, Triumph, Scorpions, and Van Halen.
Did The Us Festival Make Money?
The US Festival had a large turnout and made a profit. The festival featured a lineup of popular bands, including Van Halen, Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, and more. It was held in San Bernardino, California, and took place for two years in 1982 and 1983.
Did Fleetwood Mac Play The Us Festival?
Yes, Fleetwood Mac played at the US Festival. The festival’s lineup featured a mix of rock and heavy metal bands, including Quiet Riot, Judas Priest, Ozzy Osbourne, Mötley Crüe, Triumph, Scorpions, Van Halen, Dave Edmunds, Eddie Money, Santana, The Cars, The Kinks, Pat Benatar, and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
It was held in San Bernardino, California and ran for two consecutive years.
Conclusion
The US Festival Lineup of 1982 and 1983 was truly impressive, bringing together some of the biggest names in music at that time. From heavy metal icons like Van Halen and Judas Priest to legends like Santana and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, the festival had something for everyone.
While the festival faced some challenges, it remains a memorable event in the history of music. It showcased not only the musical talent of its performers but also the spirit of the crowd who came to enjoy and celebrate with them.
It was indeed a lineup to remember.
