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Download festival is just hours away. To get you in the mood for the weekend-long mud and metal fest we've put together some of our favourite moments from Donington's vast history.

1980: Cozy Powell and Rainbow help create a legend

Where it all began. The first Monsters of Rock was held at Donington on 16 August 1980. US rockers Touch (one of whom reportedly swallowed a bee while performing), Riot, Saxon, April Wine and The Scorpions formed the undercard, while Cozy Powell and Rainbow took top billing. Typically, Powell provided moments that would enter Donington folklore with his abundance of solos and pyro, in what would be his last appearance with the band.

1986: Rick Allen returns from the brink with Def Leppard

Perhaps the most poignant moment in Donington's history came at the 1986 Monsters of Rock when Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen made his live return just 18 months after losing an arm in a tragic car accident. In an amazing tale of triumph over adversity, Allen and Def Lep stole the show, no mean feat considering the line-up also included Ozzy Osbourne, The Scorpions and Motörhead.

1991: AC/DC fire on all cylinders

The best part of 20 years on, this remains one of the definitive AC/DC live performances, despite it coming during the band's barren years in which king of the backbeat Phil Rudd had vacated the drum stool. His place is excellently filled by chrome domed Chris Slade, who flexes his muscles throughout a punishing two-hour set.

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