Lollapalooza launched in 1991 with Jane’s Addiction as its first headlining act.
Lollapalooza was created by Perry Farrell as a farewell tour for Jane’s Addiction. The inaugural edition traveled across North America and combined alternative rock with punk, metal, rap, and performance-art elements. Jane’s Addiction headlined the tour, which also featured acts such as Nine Inch Nails, Ice-T, Siouxsie and the Banshees, and Living Colour.
The festival’s original touring format made it different from the single-site event most audiences know today. After several touring editions, Lollapalooza became a permanent Chicago festival in 2005. Grant Park has hosted the Chicago event since that change in format.
Lollapalooza’s importance comes from its broad definition of alternative culture rather than from one fixed genre. Its early bills helped expose audiences to artists from scenes that were often separated in mainstream music. Jane’s Addiction’s connection is especially direct because the festival began as the group’s farewell project.