Thirty three years ago tonight Van Halen’s “Monsters of Rock” tour invaded Giants stadium in New Jersey for the first of two concerts.
Van Halen was just about midway through the 23 city, 29-date tour when they arrived in New Jersey. It kicked off on May 23rd at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin and ended on July 30th in at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. For the massive tour, the band licensed the “Monsters of Rock” trademark from the European company that hosted the annual events at Castle Donington. Packaging a big festival the likes of which the United States hadn’t seen since the seventies, Van Halen would be headlining over Scorpions, Dokken, Kingdom Come, and newcomers Metallica.
Van Halen opened their set with “A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)”, the first of five songs coming off of its most recent studio album – OU812. One interesting addition to the setlist was Van Halen’s cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition”. The band had first played it during its club days as far back as 1976. Van Halen would play “Superstition” a total of 14 times during the “Monsters of Rock” tour. Below is the complete setlist from that night:
SETLIST (June 26th, 1988):
A.F.U. (Naturally Wired)
Summer Nights
There’s Only One Way to Rock
Panama
Bass Solo
Runnin’ With the Devil
Why Can’t This Be Love
Mine All Mine
Drum Solo
You Really Got Me
Sucker in a 3 Piece
When It’s Love
Eagles Fly
I Can’t Drive 55
Best of Both Worlds
Guitar Solo
Black and Blue
Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
Superstition (Stevie Wonder cover)
Rock and Roll (Led Zeppelin cover)
Below is the entire show uploaded in two parts by YouTuber My Collection:
Below are some videos featuring interviews and clips of Van Halen before and during “The Monsters of Rock” tour:
MTV News Segment:
NBC News Segment & Interview:
Van Halen Segment of MTV’s “Monsters of Rock” Special: