Today, the 26th day of the sixth month in the year of our Lord 2019, is the first day of the 52nd edition of Summerfest (presented by American Family Insurance). From June 26-30, and July 2-7, the “World’s Largest Music Festival” will fill Henry Maier Festival Park with billions of people, billions of weird food options, and billions of bands and artists. Oh, and David Seebach’s Wonders of Magic on the kids’ stage.
Still, there will be one unfortunate gap in the 11-day fest (other than July 1, when Summerfest takes the day off): On July 4, due to the cancelation of the Ozzy Osbourne show and the subsequent cancelation of the Megadeth show (both due to health issues), no show will grace the stage of the American Family Insurance Amphitheater. It seems that if you’re a rock fan (like, real rock, man), you’re out of luck.
So why not watch some videos from the decidedly rock-heavy Summerfest 1994? Yes, 25 years ago, groups like Metallica (the not-yet-short-hair Metallica), Dio (the not-yet-a-hologram Dio), Danzig, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Steppenwolf, Cheap Trick, Great White, Stabbing Westward, Meat Puppets, and Loverboy (playing July 3 this year) rocked the 27th edition of the Big Gig. General admission tickets maxed out at $8 ($1 for senior citizens!), and Janet Jackson played, too.
Happy Summerfest Day 1, Milwaukee! Rock on.