The El Paso County Coliseum: Where Legends Made History

El Paso’s County Coliseum isn’t just an old arena with concrete walls and creaky seats; it’s hallowed ground for music lovers. Over the decades, the venue has hosted some of the most iconic names in rock, pop, and country. And now, with the recent passing of Ozzy Osbourne, it’s the perfect time to remember one of the Coliseum’s most unforgettable moments: the night Black Sabbath kicked off their Heaven & Hell tour right here in the Sun City.

Black Sabbath, Dio, and a Historic Night

On July 2, 1980, El Paso was at the center of heavy metal history. Black Sabbath, with Ronnie James Dio freshly taking over vocals, launched their North American Heaven & Hell tour at the County Coliseum. For die-hard fans, it marked a new era for the band, Dio’s soaring voice meeting Tony Iommi’s crushing riffs.

And Ozzy? Even though he wasn’t with the band by that point, this concert is part of the Sabbath legacy that wouldn’t exist without him. Ozzy’s wild energy helped build Sabbath into the metal powerhouse that could sell out arenas like the Coliseum. With his passing, El Paso fans are remembering that this city played a small but meaningful role in the ongoing story of Black Sabbath.

Rock & Metal Titans Who Shook the Walls

The Coliseum has long been a magnet for heavy hitters. Iron Maiden roared through El Paso multiple times in 1982, 1986, 1987 and again in 1999. Judas Priest thundered across the stage during their Mercenaries of Metal tour in 1988, and the Clash of the Titans tour brought Slayer and Megadeth in 1991.

Fast-forward to the 2000s and you had Tool hypnotizing fans with their atmospheric metal on July 17, 2002. There’s even fan chatter about Nine Inch Nails blowing minds here in the mid-1990s during the height of their Downward Spiral fame.

Pop, Legends, and Everything in Between

But the Coliseum isn’t just for headbangers. It’s been a stop for true legends across genres. Elvis Presley packed the house in 1972, Johnny Cash played multiple times, and The Jackson 5 brought pop perfection in the mid-1970s. Fleetwood Mac even launched their first U.S. tour with the Buckingham–Nicks lineup here in 1975, while Selena gave one of her last shows at the venue in 1994.

Throw in appearances by Ike & Tina Turner, The Grateful Dead, and modern chart-toppers like Green Day and you get a picture of just how wide-ranging this venue’s history really is.

A Quick Look at the Legends of the Coliseum

Here’s a snapshot of some of the most iconic shows to ever hit the El Paso County Coliseum stage:

• Black Sabbath – Heaven & Hell Tour kickoff, July 2, 1980

• Elvis Presley – November 10, 1972

• Fleetwood Mac – First U.S. tour with Buckingham and Nicks, May 15, 1975

• The Jackson 5 – October 19, 1973 and July 22, 1977

• Selena – August 6, 1994

• The Grateful Dead – November 23, 1973

• Johnny Cash – Multiple dates across the 1960s and 1970s

• Ike & Tina Turner – July 2, 1966

• Iron Maiden – 1982, 1986, 1987 and 1999

• Judas Priest – Mercenaries of Metal Tour, September 29, 1988

• Clash of the Titans Tour – Featuring Slayer and Megadeth, May 21, 1991

• Nine Inch Nails – Mid-1990s (Downward Spiral era)

• Tool – July 17, 2002

• Green Day – March 2, 2017

• Alice Cooper – Live recording for ABC Radio, June 4, 1980

The Coliseum may not be the flashiest venue in Texas, but it’s seen it all, from metal gods to pop icons to country royalty. With Ozzy’s passing, it’s a reminder that this unassuming West Texas arena has been a stop for legends, and its walls have absorbed decades of music history that will never be forgotten.