Korn guitarist James ‘Munky’ Shaffer recently discussed the possibility of reviving the legendary Family Values Tour. He expressed enthusiasm for bringing back the iconic festival in a statement shared on Joy of Everything.
Shaffer revealed his active role in advocating for the tour’s return. He also shared his vision for the potential lineup.
“That would be amazing, and have the originals like Ice Cube and Rammstein. I mean, it’s possible,” Shaffer said.
The guitarist emphasized his personal commitment to making the reunion happen.
“I’ve talked about it. I have talked about it. I’m the one that’s like, ‘let’s do this!’,” he continued. “So I think if we have the right people involved, it could happen.”
Shaffer’s comments about reviving the Family Values Tour carry significant weight given the festival’s legendary status in rock history. The tour’s lasting impact on the nu-metal scene makes his statements particularly noteworthy.
The Family Values Tour holds a special place in rock history as a groundbreaking event that helped define the nu-metal movement of the late 1990s. Wikipedia reported that Korn created the tour in 1998 as an annual rock and hip-hop event that combined nu metal, alternative metal, and rap genres. The inaugural tour was launched in fall 1998 to promote Korn’s album Follow the Leader. This followed a promotional “Korn Kampaign” across North America.
The original 1998 lineup featured an impressive roster of artists that would become legends in their respective genres. RammWiki documented that the tour included Korn as headliners, alongside Rammstein, Ice Cube (until October 25), Incubus (from October 25), Limp Bizkit, and Orgy. This diverse mix of metal and hip-hop acts created what many consider a revolutionary concert experience that exposed emerging bands to larger audiences.
The cultural impact of the Family Values Tour cannot be overstated in the context of late 1990s music. Louder Sound noted that the tour ignited the nu metal revolution and established the genre as a major commercial and cultural force. The event created a “fun, wild evening” that drew massive fan enthusiasm and commercial success. It served as a stepping stone for bands like Limp Bizkit and Orgy to achieve arena-level success for years to come.
“Rock history,” is how Korn’s Jonathan Davis described the tour’s significance, highlighting its role in transforming the music landscape of the era.
However, the Family Values Tour’s run was relatively brief. The last edition took place in 1999. Concert Archives confirmed that the tour has not occurred since 1999. This makes Shaffer’s recent comments about its potential return particularly noteworthy for fans who have been waiting over two decades for the festival’s revival.
