Comments on: Triumph and Tragedy at Donington 1988

By: Alan McNeilly

Alan McNeilly — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 23:36:24 +0000

In reply to Lloydy. Warm and dry, if you can say or think that it was different day you were there my friend.

By: Shaz

Shaz — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 18:48:20 +0000

Were you on the left or the right?

I was on the right, and had gone down in the second surge from the left (where the 2 lads were) I was unconscious until I was being pulled out (nose smashed, covered in blood…but before I went under I thought “I’m gonna die”, and I felt really serene about it) I remember seeing the 3 rows of people who had been in front of me stacked on top of each other, and just looking at them…I couldn’t do anything for them because I was only just coming to myself. A lad in a tan, fringed leather jacket got me to the side, then dived back in to help more people.

Bless that fkin guy, because without him, I’m sure that I and others would have been added to that body count that day ❤️

That was my first festival experience at 15. I didn’t understand the severity of it until I was in hospital the next day in my hometown and a nurse told me. Even then…and now, TBH…it seems surreal. Tonight is the first time I’ve googled it.

I’ve told this story a few times over the years, but nobody ever believes it lol they never heard about it! One time, a friend said “ah fuck! That’s in a book about GnR!”, but that was only 3 or 4 sentences. For some reason, it’s just been wiped out…

By: Steve Hoban

Steve Hoban — Sat, 04 Oct 2025 15:47:39 +0000

Hi, I was there, woke up behind the stage with my pants full of poop. I had literally had the shit crushed out of me, I am forever grateful to whoever pulled me out.

By: Peter Worville

Peter Worville — Sun, 29 Jun 2025 07:57:39 +0000

I don’t remember much from the day ( we were camping with copious amounts of beer) but we were stood near the mixing tower when G’n R came on- much anticipated as everyone is saying. They had been booked well down the bill as an up and coming band but in the meantime Appetite had gone ballistic which meant they probably could have headlined! This lead to the massive crowd surge which my brother left us to join. He was a big lad but came back after the gig clearly shaken and white in the face. He’d been helping the bouncers lift people over the barrier. A very sad day for everyone involved.

By: Craig Turpin

Craig Turpin — Sat, 14 Dec 2024 09:22:47 +0000

What a day. I still think about it at the end of the day.

I had ridden my CX500 from Wiltshire with a mate who had the same bike. Eating mini-marathons and drinking cartons of juice going around roundabouts. (You had to be there). Dropping the bike twice on the mud, going to the campsite.

I remember the plastic bottle mock battle, glad I wasn’t in the golden shower fallout.

I was stood to the left of the sound and lighting scaffold tower while GnR was on.

Megadeth Anarchy in the UK.

Being at the front stage right watching Bruce D with his tight trousers right above me for Iron Maiden.

After Iron Maiden, I remember walking out of the gate and someone on the PA asking for anyone who saw/knew anything to talk to the police. Then they played Monty Python’s ‘Look on the Bright Side of Life.’

That day, for me, is one of those moments in my life. I often think about the two people and what they would have gone on to. RIP.

By: Lisa Mcfarlane

Lisa Mcfarlane — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 17:27:36 +0000

In reply to Ian.

Hi, yes we was, and your sooo lucky to still have your ticket and that Guns N’ Roses t-shirt , I had the same one. Wish I still had it . At least I still have a photo of me wearing it with a black cap and Guns N’ Roses on as well
It’s rad to see the newspaper clippings as well. Thanks
Ps Do you sell that fun’s n roses t-shirt ? Just messing if your like me you never will.
Lisa

By: Ian

Ian — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:21:17 +0000

In reply to Neil Brownlee. Woah! That sounds horrible and it’s taken you a long time to get over the experience. I’m pleased that you’ve made a recovery and that you’re now finally able to enjoy live music again. Thanks for taking the time to post. Take care and enjoy the festive period.

By: Neil Brownlee

Neil Brownlee — Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:17:18 +0000

I was also on the bottom in the mud – I had blacked under the weight of the people above me crushing my chest, arms and legs. My first memory was a brief consciousness as I was passed over the barrier and then waking in the medical tent.

It took almost 2 years for my nerves (as in the crushed ones) to recover and regain feeling I my legs.

I suffered from claustrophobia after that (I used to go caving!). Thanks to my wife she took me to see Helloween in 2022 in the hope it would help me. They played some of the songs from the set I saw in 88 and it did help. I am a lot better at gigs now and don’t have to stand right at back away from everyone.

By: Ian

Ian — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 17:43:31 +0000

In reply to Lisa Mcfarlane. Thanks for your kind comments Lisa. Much appreciated. We were lucky to live in those times…

By: Lisa Mcfarlane

Lisa Mcfarlane — Sun, 29 Oct 2023 13:59:16 +0000

I was there , aged 22.
I didn’t get too close to the front,
Due to a bit of a hungover
from the night before.
My friend and I went up on the coach from Canterbury ,kent.
My friend had a camera and took lots of shots. Then lost her camera !
Like most people in those day you drank alcohol.
I wish I still had my ticket
I hang on to it for quite a few years
And my t-shirt
There was only white ones left for sale and I wanted a black one and tried to dye it.
I recently found a photo of me wearing it from the early 90’s .
Also those photos , wow
G n R we’re awesome, I only went to see them saw their picture in Kerrange magazine. & just had too.
I still have my original appetite for destruction album. Scratched up from so much playing. And bootlegs and gnr live at Donnington park vinyl ,
terrible recording though.
I think they blew every one away
They were explosive
Thank you for your article it’s awesome