Monsters of Rock, LA Coliseum, CA – July 24th, 1988

Metallica

Monsters of Rock, LA Coliseum, CA – July 24th, 1988

Oh, mercy, was this fun! I only got to shoot their first two songs vs. the usual three! Why? Because a riot broke out in the first row. Someone thought it would be a good idea to have one of the most popular metal bands playing while a bunch of rowdy headbangers stood on metal folding chairs. Metal chairs that can be thrown towards the stage! Yep, at one point, some girl in the front lost her top, and another passed out. It was a little scary, but I just kept ducking, while trying not to get hit by flying chairs, water bottles, and watermelons! People were throwing all kinds of shit. It’s not that they didn’t love Metallica, it’s that they DID love Metallica!

The Fire Marshal had enough, and well, he made us photographers get away from the stage. I remember being pretty pissed about that, but in hindsight, he was just doing his job. It was then that I realized I’d risk life and limb for some good photos. They were totally worth it!