In the past ten years its had the biggest names in rock, rap, country, disco and R&B. Fans have horded the plaza and Parrot-heads have flown to 30 Rock in swarms. Now, as its done for the past ten years, NBC's "Today" is bringing together the biggest names in music to rock the Plaza for the 10th Anniversary of its annual concert series. This year's "Toyota Concert Series on Today" kicks off with a special pre-taped concert with Bruce Springsteen on Tuesday, April 26. The series' first live performance on the plaza will bring back "Today" fave Neil Diamond for a Friday, May 6 performance. The "Toyota Concert Series on Today" guarantees a stellar lineup of superstars continuing all the way into the fall. Headliners include Black Eyes Peas, Reba McEntire, Bryan Adams, Def Leppard, Backstreet Boys, and James Taylor. Concerts scheduled to date include (All are Friday performances unless otherwise noted):
April 26 BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN (previously recorded on location — special Tuesday concert)
May 6 NEIL DIAMOND May 10 DAVE MATTHEWS BAND (special 10th Anniversary performance (previously recorded on location -- special Tuesday concert)
May 13 REBA MCENTIRE May 20 MATCHBOX TWENTY'S ROB THOMAS May 27 BRYAN ADAMS AND DEF LEPPARD
June 3 BLACKEYED PEAS
June 10 BACKSTREET BOYS
June 17 HILARY DUFF June 21 JAMES TAYLOR (special Tuesday concert)
July 1 CONCERT SERIES 10th ANNIVERSARY: CHICAGO & EARTH, WIND & FIRE Additional performances will be announced throughout the season. This year's series promises more interaction with "Today" viewers. Throughout the series, at times viewers will be able to vote for what song they'd like to see performed, and some performances might offer viewers a chance to win a VIP trip to see the concert live from Rockefeller Plaza. The concert schedule will updated throughout this series. Fans and visitors are encouraged to join Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Ann Curry for the live performances. Viewing is on a first-come, first-served basis outside the "Today" show's Window on the World Studio, located at 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. Jim Bell is the executive producer of "Today" (Monday-Friday, 7-10 a.m.). Tim Bruno is the supervising producer responsible for the "Toyota Concert Series on Today." Toyota partners with NBC's "Today" show for the third consecutive year. As the title sponsor of the "Toyota Concert Series on Today," Toyota will participate in more than 20 concerts in support of its full lineup of cars, trucks and SUVs. The Toyota Highlander and all-new Solara will be among the vehicles featured.
Bruce Springsteen kicks off concert series
This year's series to showcase some of today's favorite performers from past years as well as this summer's biggest names in music.