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Kevin Lyman remembers Katy Perry, Eminem and other surprising artists who played the Warped Tour

The Warped Tour — which ends this Sunday, Aug. 5, after a 23-year run — always presented fans of pop-punk, punk, emo, and hardcore with an annual showcase of the best and brightest acts in the industry. But Warped founder Kevin Lyman wasn’t content to simply hold down the fort for perennials like Pennywise, Dropkick Murphys, NOFX, and Bad Religion. Over the years, the tour was also a proving ground for fresh faces in hip-hop, including Eminem, D12, and the Black Eyed Peas (before Fergie joined), as well as veteran rockers like Joan Jett and Billy Idol.

Lyman has also premiered new faces on the scene like the Pretty Reckless, who are fronted by ex-Gossip Girl actress Taylor Momsen — and, back in 2008, a virtually unknown singer named Katy Perry, who had yet to kiss a girl and like it. Yahoo Entertainment talked to Lyman about some of the most unusual acts to play the Warped Tour and what he remembers most about their inclusion on the festival. Read on, in Lyman’s own words. (Photos: Getty Images)