June 12, 2010 17:56

Plaque in honour of Monsters Of Rock co-founder presented at Download

Maurice Jones' family receive tribute at the Donington site

Photo: Danny North

A plaque was presented to the family of the Monsters Of Rock co-founder and legendary rock promoter Maurice Jones at Download festival yesterday afternoon (June 11).

Monsters Of Rock was the precursor to Download and this year marks its 30th anniversary.

The festival staged its first event in Donington Park in 1980, featuring sets from Rainbow, Judas Priest and Saxon, who will be playing the Main Stage at Download tomorrow (June 13) lunchtime.

"We feel very proud that Maurice has been remembered in this way, he would have loved it," said Jones' widow, Diane, who, alongside their daughters Nicola and Christine, was presented with the plaque, reports This Is Derbyshire.

"I recall him driving round looking at venues, with Paul Loasby, the co-founder, and having this idea that top bands should perform at a special festival. He knew the owner of Donington Park, Tom Wheatcroft, and the rest, as they say, is history."

The plaque's final location is as yet undecided, but it will be erected somewhere in Donington Park.

As a further tribute to Jones, the Main Stage at Download has this year been christened the Maurice Jones Stage.

NME is coming live from the Download and Isle Of Wight festivals this weekend. Head to NME.COM/festivals for the latest news, photos, videos, blogs and more straight from both sites.