Good overview of Lollapalooza and the history of the festival. Was interesting finishing it up during the Jane's Addiction drama and reading about the drama before.

A fascinating look into the creation of an iconic music festival with unexpected origins and eternal influence. The ability to piece together bites of several interviews with several people to tell a single story and keep it easy to follow and interesting is an extremely impressive feat. Definitely a good research source for music writers like me.

7/10

I probably liked this book more than the normal person because I worked in the music business during the early days of Lollapalooza and knew a few people involved.

With so many mega-tours and festivals happening in the world these days, it’s hard to remember how important Lollapalooza was. It changed the game. It changed the thinking about what a musical tour could be.

I’m not sure Coachella would be what it is without Lollapalooza setting the stage.

In the early days of Jane’s Addiction I just thought Perry was a drug addled wacko. I have a lot more respect for him having read this book.

If you’re a music fan and if you grew up in the days of Lollapalooza, this is a great book that tells the story straight from the people who were there.

#netgalley #lollapalooza

As the founder of Rock 'n' Roll Highway, I've always been drawn to the origin stories of iconic music moments, and Lollapalooza’s beginnings are as legendary as they come. In Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival, Richard Bienstock and Tom Beaujour take us right to the heart of how this groundbreaking festival came to life, offering a narrative that feels as if you're sitting at a round table with the very people who made it happen.

The book opens with how Perry Farrell, the frontman of Jane’s Addiction, envisioned Lollapalooza as a farewell tour for his band. This traveling festival would bring together the best of alternative music, performance art, and counterculture. What started as a wild idea soon became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the spirit of a generation hungry for something different, something raw and honest.

Bienstock and Beaujour do an incredible job of recreating that initial spark of inspiration. Through interviews with key players—musicians, promoters, and insiders—the book offers a round table feel, where each voice adds depth and dimension to the story. It’s as if you’re listening to the brainstorming sessions, the late-night conversations, and the debates that shaped the festival’s identity.

The authors skillfully weave these perspectives together, creating a tapestry of stories that not only chronicles the logistics of organizing such an ambitious event but also captures the chaotic energy and excitement of those early days. The round-table approach makes the narrative feel intimate and immediate as if you’re getting the inside scoop from the people who lived it.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is how it delves into the challenges and triumphs of pulling off the first Lollapalooza in 1991. The festival was a gamble—a risky, bold, and ultimately game-changing experiment that defied conventional wisdom about what a music festival could be. The book captures the tension, the creativity, and the sheer willpower it took to bring Lollapalooza to life, offering readers a front-row seat to the birth of a cultural icon.

As someone deeply invested in documenting and preserving music history, I found this book to be a treasure trove of insights. It tells the story of Lollapalooza’s beginnings and honors the collaborative spirit that made it possible. The round table format allows for a rich, multi-faceted exploration of the festival’s impact, making it clear that Lollapalooza was more than just a concert series—it was a revolution.

For anyone interested in the history of alternative rock, festival culture, or the behind-the-scenes stories that shape music history, Lollapalooza: The Uncensored Story of Alternative Rock's Wildest Festival is an essential read. It captures the essence of a moment in time when music, art, and rebellion came together to create something truly unforgettable.