The 15 best photos from the first Lollapalooza festival in 1991

Butthole Surfers (Image credit: Steve Eichner)

Pretty much every major rock festival in the North America today was inspired (at least in passing) by Lollapalooza. It started in 1991 as the brainchild of Jane’s Addiction’s Perry Farrell and soon became a touring behemoth, showcasing the brightest and best bands from every corner of the rock and metal spectrum.

Nowadays it’s based solely in Chicago and includes some of the biggest names in pop, indie, rock, hip-hop and beyond – but the original festival was an riotous, anarchic affair featuring Body Count, Butthole Surfers, Nine Inch Nails and Rollins Band. Imagine seeing that line-up today? Sadly it’s probably not going to happen, but you can pretend it is by scrolling through these photos of the first year’s tour.

Body Count with Henry Rollins (Image credit: Ebet Roberts)

Crowdsurfers (Image credit: Steve Eichner)

Nine Inch Nails (Image credit: Ebet Roberts)

Body Count (Image credit: Steve Eichner)

Jane's Addiction (Image credit: Steve Eichner)

Living Colour (Image credit: Tim Mosenfelder)

Stagedivers (Image credit: Steve Eichner)

Henry Rollins and Body Count (Image credit: Ebet Roberts)

Were you at the first Lollapalooza? Did it blow your mind? Let us know!

10 most defining moments in Ozzfest history

Founded in 1983, Metal Hammer is the global home of all things heavy. We have breaking news, exclusive interviews with the biggest bands and names in metal, rock, hardcore, grunge and beyond, expert reviews of the lastest releases and unrivalled insider access to metal's most exciting new scenes and movements. No matter what you're into – be it heavy metal, punk, hardcore, grunge, alternative, goth, industrial, djent or the stuff so bizarre it defies classification – you'll find it all here, backed by the best writers in our game.