NPR's Book of the Day A new oral history of Lollapalooza recalls the alt-rock music festival's wildest days
Apr 10, 2025
Discover the chaotic beginnings of Lollapalooza, initially a farewell tour for Jane's Addiction, which turned into a groundbreaking festival. The authors share hilarious anecdotes from interviews with iconic bands like Nine Inch Nails and Green Day. Explore how the festival united diverse genres, blending hip hop with rock, and helped mainstream alternative music. Reflect on its nostalgic journey and how it adapts to today’s music landscape, all while capturing the vibrant spirit that defined those wild days.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Chaotic Beginnings
- Lollapalooza's first night was chaotic, with Jane's Addiction members brawling on stage.
- Nine Inch Nails' equipment shorted out, leading to more on-stage destruction.
Farrell's Vision
- Perry Farrell's vision for Lollapalooza was to showcase diverse bands and ideas.
- He envisioned booths with opposing viewpoints, like the NRA next to Greenpeace.
Kennedy Assassination Reenactment
- In 1994, L7 and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds reenacted the Kennedy assassination on stage in Dallas.
- This bizarre act highlighted the bad judgment and cabin fever that could arise during the long tour.
