|
Rolling Stones Toronto SARS Concert
Nearly a half a
million people turned out for the Rolling Stones-plus show.
•
Toronto
City & Bar Guide
In what people have called
the largest concert in North America, the Rolling Stones headlined a
benefit in Toronto to put this city and country back on its feet after
a series of hardships from SARS to Mad Cow Disease.
Nearly 400,000 people attended the all-day show on Wednesday,
July 30 in huge Downsview Park. They were greeted by co-hosts Dan Aykroyd
and Jim Belushi, then presented a full lineup of major acts: AC/DC,
Justin Timberlake, The Guess Who and Sam Roberts.
 When
the brilliant sun set and gave way to the night, the Rolling Stones
took the stage. "We're here, you're here and Toronto is back and it's
booming," Stones' singer Mick Jagger told the screaming crowd. "I think
it is the biggest crowd we have ever played for."
The Stones opened with "Start Me Up." Its 90-minute set
also included "Ruby Tuesday," "Honky Tonk Woman," "Satisfaction" and,
the finale, "Jumpin' Jack Flash."
The crowd also loved it when Canadian '70s legend the
Guess Who played Bachman Turner Overdrive's "Takin' Care of Business"
earlier in the massive concert.
Event organizers, the Canadian government and the Rolling
Stones all combined to donate money to fighting SARS. Canada's federal
government put up $2.45 million, and the Ontario provincial government
kicked in $1.4 million. Canadian brewery Molson, the chief sponsor,
contributed $4.55 million, a company spokesman said.
Beer sales also went to the cause. That no doubt also
raised millions.
Even early, the
stage area was packed with fans.
You hoser! Fans welcome the brief relief from the heat.
A pair of Toronto
babes take a break.
What's a rock concert
without bare breasts?
And what's Toronto
without the MCBs?
 Back
to the PubClub Main Page
|