Credit: Neil Zlozower
Imagine what it was like being a teenager witnessing Van Halen for the first time. You’re among an estimated 670,000 people packed into Glen Helen Regional Park on a hot summer day under the sun for the massive event known as the 1983 US Festival. The Van Halen News Desk spoke with two people who didn’t have to imagine it. They lived through the experience to tell us all about it!
The VHND‘s Jeff Goebel spoke with Curt Granger and Ruben Reza, who shared their amazing stories on Goebel’s YouTube channel Final Resonance TV. Granger and Reza were recently featured in Spin Magazine’s story celebrating the 40th anniversary of The US Festival alongside many of the musicians who played that day, including Michael Anthony, Rudy Sarzo, and Jake E Lee.
The wide-ranging conversation breaks down the entire experience, including reflections on returning to the original site, which is currently Glen Helen Regional Amphitheater and still hosts concerts to this day!