A Benefit Concert Worthy of Rock Fame

It's not Live 8, but the lineup comes pretty close.

Tickets go on sale next week for the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Benefit Concert featuring one of the best cast of rock superstars ever assembled. The event, taking place Oct. 29 and 30 at Madison Square Garden, boasts such Hall of Fame inducted acts as Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Metallica, U2, Eric Clapton and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Friends. And you know what? They say more bands are still to be announced.

Proceeds from the two-day event will go toward creating a permanent endowment for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. What many people don't know is that the Hall is actually a nonprofit organization that promotes music and culture. In addition to its Cleveland museum and NYC annex, the Hall works with the community and schools, even helping teachers use popular music to teach about issues in the classroom. For more information, check out the Education + Outreach section of the Hall of Fame's website.

(Although the Hall might want to invest in some math education. The foundation was founded in '83 and the first inductee happened in '86, so where do you get 25 years?)

Nevertheless, the participating acts will perform both their own hits and the songs of other artists who inspired them. Tickets start at $80, so this won't be a cheap show, but most of these artists command those types of prices simply on their own. For longtime rock fans, this is a show not to be missed.