On the weekend of May 18th, 19th, and 20th over 60,000 metal heads will invade Columbus for the annual Rock on the Range festival at Crew Stadium. The three day festival usually comprises of over 35 bands and three stages. Several big name acts have headlined the festival including ZZ Top, Stone Temple Pilots, Motley Crue, Limp Bizkit, and Avenged Sevenfold. According to 99.7 The Blitz, the lineup for the 6th edition of the festival will be revealed at 5:00 in the afternoon.
The rumor mill has been unusually quiet this year, making me wonder what the Range officials have in store for their concert goers this year. Below is a list of bands that I think have a potentially good shot to make the cut of headlining acts.
1. Soundgarden
Why? They are doing a run of festival dates in Europe all spring and summer. There are no U.S. dates and they are free the entire week of ROTR.
Why not? There is absolutely no reason why Soundgarden can't be there this year, unless the asking price is too high. Looking at the other festivals they are headlining, this might be the case.
2. Pearl Jam
Why? Pearl Jam has a European tour that starts in June. Lead singer Eddie Vedder's solo tour ends May 16th in Orlando. Perfect for a spot in one of the headlining slots.
Why not? Again, unless the asking price is too high, there is no reason why Pearl Jam couldn't do the gig.
3. Tool
Why? They are a band with a massive following that would assuredly go over well in one of the headlining spots of the festival. There short run of North American dates didn't include a stop in Columbus.
Why not? Almost as soon as the Tool tour is done, singer Maynard Keenan takes his side project Puscifer out on the road.
4. Van Halen
Why? Van Halen will be embarking on a 5 month U.S. tour that hits every major city in the states, but surprisingly not a single date in Ohio. Their last tour in 2007-2008 hit Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland. I was at two of the shows and both were sellouts. There is no shortage of VH fans in Ohio. Day 3 of Rock on the Range is an open date on Van Halen's tour schedule.
Why not? It's Van Halen. While ROTR has been able to land a lot of big name acts they haven't been able to get a headliner as big as Van Halen yet. Could this year be different? Maybe. The night before day 3 they are in Minneapolis, so it would be quite the trek for them.
5. Marilyn Manson
Why? Like him or not, people would come to see his show. His world tour starts in February and runs through March and then resumes again in June. That is plenty of space for a string of U.S. dates including Rock on the Range.
Why not? Burning the American flag on stage is repulsive anytime. Doing it at a rock festival that highlights military members repeatedly throughout the weekend would not be wise.
6. Alice Cooper
Why? It's Alice Cooper. The Marilyn Manson and Rob Zombie fans of the world need look no further than Alice Cooper as the Godfather of the stage shows they put on. He currently has no dates scheduled in May and always has a pretty big push for an appearance from the fans on the festival's Facebook page.
Why not? For whatever reason, a lot of the younger fans don't know Alice Cooper. It's a shame. The biggest name to play the festival to date, ZZ Top, didn't go over well with a lot of the younger fans (for the record, I thought they were great). The festival might be hesitant to book another act from that generation.
7. Rob Zombie
Why? He went over very well in 2010 as direct support to Limp Bizkit. Many even felt he should have headlined over Fred Durst and the boys. He's got no dates as of yet for 2012; so why not a one off show in Columbus?
Why not? He's reportedly working on several films right now. That might be his higher priority right now.
8. KISS
Why? They currently have no tour dates scheduled for 2012 and they are one of the biggest rock bands ever. They also put on one of the greatest shows in the history of rock concerts. If available, they'd be a no brainer.
Why not? They could play Crew Stadium on a festival lineup or they could more likely headline their own tour and make more money. Knowing Gene Simmons' affection for money, he probably would choose option #2.
9. Megadeth
Why? They are one of the biggest names in metal with a loyal following. Their 6 month tour doesn't hit Ohio...
Why not? Megadeth are one of those bands that you either love or hate. Metallica is also in that same boat. Metallica could pull it off, being a controversial pick, Megadeth I'm not so sure.
10. Iron Maiden
Why? Because a guy can dream, right?
Why not? Every known reason to man.
So, there are my best educated guesses. I am most likely way off on this one. However, that's the fun in these guessing games. Find out tomorrow at 5, on "your rock station, 99.7....The Blitz."
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