What Lollapalooza Looked Like in the Early 90’s

2 minute read

The word “lollapalooza” is defined by Merriam-Webster as “one that is extraordinarily impressive.” Keeping this definition in mind, 25 years ago in 1991, Jane’s Addiction singer Perry Farrell first used the word to name his now trademark music festival. Initially meant as a farewell tour for his band, the festival grew into an annual event touring North America with various headliners until 1997. The festival was later revived in 2003, and since 2005, has been held in Chicago’s Grant Park. In 2011, the first international version of Lollapalooza debuted in Santiago, Chile, featuring Kanye West, the Killers, and appropriately, a since-reunited Jane’s Addiction.

In the early 90’s, Lollapalooza looked very different than it does now, although today’s festival still holds some similarities to the original. Influenced by famed concert promotor Bill Graham’s A Gathering of the Tribes in 1990, aside from Jane’s Addiction, the inaugural lineup featured only eleven bands, including Nine Inch Nails and Ice T’s group Body Count. This year’s Lollapalooza boasts over 170 acts throughout the course of four days. About 300,000 people attended the festival last year. What does remain the same: festival attendees enjoying a plethora of acts over a wide array of musical genres.

However, Perry Farrell himself was recently quoted saying: “I hate EDM… I sometimes cringe at my own festival.”

 

Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Lollapalooza in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 1, 1991.
Red Hot Chili Peppers perform at Lollapalooza in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 1, 1991. Steve Eichner—Getty Images
Trent Reznor performs with Nine Inch Nails in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991.
Trent Reznor performs with Nine Inch Nails in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991. Ebet Roberts—Getty Images
Pearl Jam perform on Aug. 1, 1992.
Pearl Jam perform on Aug. 1, 1992.Ebet Roberts—Getty Images
Lollapalooza concertgoers in Waterloo Village, N.J., on July 13, 1993.
Lollapalooza concertgoers in Waterloo Village, N.J., on July 13, 1993.Steve Eichner—Getty Images
Alice in Chains perform during Lollapalooza in 1993.
Alice in Chains perform during Lollapalooza in 1993. John Lynn Kirk—Getty Images
Ice-T performs with Body Count in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991.
Ice-T performs with Body Count in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991.Ebet Roberts—Getty Images
Lollapalooza 1992 in Mountain View, Calif., on July 18, 1992.
Lollapalooza 1992 in Mountain View, Calif., on July 18, 1992.Tim Mosenfelder—Getty Images
Chris Cornell of Soundgarden on Aug. 11, 1992.
Chris Cornell of Soundgarden on Aug. 11, 1992. Steve Eichner—Getty Images
Zack De La Rocha of Rage Against the Machine in Mountain View, Calif., on June 23, 1993.
Zack De La Rocha of Rage Against the Machine in Mountain View, Calif., on June 23, 1993.Tim Mosenfelder—Getty Images
Lollapalooza in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 1, 1991.
Lollapalooza in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 1, 1991.Steve Eichner—Getty Images
Angelo Moore of Fishbone in Waterloo Village, N.J., on July 13, 1993.
Angelo Moore of Fishbone in Waterloo Village, N.J., on July 13, 1993.Steve Eichner
Ice Cube performs in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 28, 1992.
Ice Cube performs in St. Paul, Minn., on Aug. 28, 1992. 1992 Jim Steinfeldt
Tool backstage in Mountain View, Calif., on June 23, 1993.
Tool backstage in Mountain View, Calif., on June 23, 1993.1993 Tim Mosenfelder
Perry Farrell performs with Jane's Addiction in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991.
Perry Farrell performs with Jane's Addiction in Waterloo Village, N.J., on Aug. 14, 1991. Ebet Roberts—Getty Images
Siouxsie Sioux, of Siouxsie and the Banshees, performs in Mountain View, Calif., on July 26, 1991.
Siouxsie Sioux, of Siouxsie and the Banshees, performs in Mountain View, Calif., on July 26, 1991. Tim Mosenfelder—Getty Images
Lollapalooza in Vancouver, Canada, on June 18, 1993.
Lollapalooza in Vancouver, Canada, on June 18, 1993.Ebet Roberts—Getty Images

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