Black Sabbath, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Black Keys? Five Can't-Miss Lollapalooza 2012 Headliners

This year's bash will feature several high-profile rock-and-roll reunions as well as a host of newcomers to satisfy music lovers' tastes

By Josh Grossberg Apr 11, 2012 6:10 PMTags
Red Hot Chili PeppersMichael Caulfield/WireImage.com

Nostalgia will rule the Windy City this summer.

Now that band member Tony Iommi's recovered from cancer treatment, Ozzy Osbourne and a reunited Black Sabbath will make their only North American concert appearance this summer at Lollapalooza 2012, set for Aug. 3-5 at Chicago's Grant Park.

Add some Southern fried '70s blues rock from the likes of fellow headliners the Black Keys and Jack White along with a newly reformed At the Drive-In and the return of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and this year's edition is shaping up to be one for the books.

Here's a roundup of the must-see performers.

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1. Black Sabbath: The Prince of F—king Darkness and his mates in Black Sabbath announced in November that they were joining forces again to make their first album in 33 years and tour. But by January, those plans were in jeopardy after it was announced that the legendary headbangers' Iron Man guitarist had been diagnosed with lymphoma. Black Sabbath vowed to continue working on new material and the good news is the 63-year-old Iommi has now finished up chemotherapy, allowing the group to move ahead with its upcoming trek. Chicago, look out!

2. Red Hot Chili Peppers: Anthony Kiedis, Flea and the boys are bringing the funk back to festival founder Perry Farrell's eclectic party, gracing the main stage for the third time in their illustrious career, after headlining stints in 1992 and 2006. They'll also be fresh off their induction this April into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

3. Jack White: After fronting the White Stripes, the Raconteurs and the Dead Weather, the multitalented Detroit rocker steps out with his solo debut album, Blunderbuss, which drops later this month. But he's always been a top-notch performer, and have no doubt: His Lolla set will be scorching.

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4. The Black Keys: Duo Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney have reinvigorated the raw guitar sounds of the '70s with their latest, El Camino, and made a lot of sweaty believers along the way, especially thanks to their hit "Lonely Boy." After embarking on their first headlining arena tour ever this spring, the Keys' Lollapalooza slot is sure to be a memorable one.

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5. At the Drive-In: Post-hardcore has never been the same, thanks to this Texas band who made their name in the mid to late '90s before splitting (with two of their members going on to form the Mars Volta). They'll be bringing the noise big-time, having announced their long-awaited reunion back in January, though there are no plans to record any new material.

Electronic dance music will also be getting its due this year with main stage appearances by Avicii and Justice. Other notable acts among the dozens in the lineup include the Shins, Florence + the Machine, Bassnectar, Passion Pit, Kaskade, the Weeknd, Sigur Ros, Bloc party, the Afghan Whigs, Franz Ferninand, Calvin Harris, Knife Party and the Head and the Heart.

Tickets for Lollapalooza are now on sale via the website.