Rolling Stones headline Toronto Sars gig

TORONTO, Canada (R. Stones Fans Website) - The Rolling Stones are headlining a massive open-air concert in Toronto on Wednesday to boost the Canadian city's damaged economy following the Sars crisis. More than 400,000 music fans were expected at Downsview Park for the gig, which is being hosted by Canadian actor Dan Aykroyd and James Belushi.

Also playing at the event, which kicked off at 1330 local time (1730 BST) are Justin Timberlake, AC/DC, Rush, The Guess Who and The Flaming Lips.

The concert, dubbed Sars-stock, is being used to encourage tourism which was badly hit by the outbreak of the Sars virus, when strict travel restrictions were placed on the city.

The Canadian Government has given CN $3.5m (�1.5m) to concert organisers to help repair the damaged reputation of Toronto, which was the country hit hardest by the deadly disease outside of Asia.

A total of 252 people in the city were infected with the disease, of whom 38 died. Any profits from the eight-hour, CN $21-a-head show will be donated to a hospital workers relief fund and to research into the Sars virus.

Golden keys

Other acts expected to perform include Sam Roberts, the Isley Brothers and Blue Rodeo. Aykroyd and Belushi are performing their musical revue Have Love Will Travel, which showcases blues, rock and swing.

The Stones are taking time out from their European tour to take part in the event. The band members arrived in Toronto on Monday, where they were presented with golden "keys to the city" by Mayor Mel Lastman.

The British band were forced to call off gigs in China and Hong Kong following the Sars outbreak earlier in the year.
This is the second concert to be staged in Toronto to combat the slump in tourism after Canadians Avril Lavigne and Diana Krall played to 70,000 fans in June.