Rod Stewart Kicks Off "Today's" Summer Concert Series

"The Today Show's" sixth annual Summer Concert Series, outside Studio 1A in Rockefeller Plaza, returns April 27 through Sept. 21.

The free concerts air Friday at 8:30 a.m. and kick-off with first-timer Rod Stewart. Other first-timers include John Mellencamp and Neil Diamond.

Returning artists this year include Sting, Prince, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Gloria Estefan.

The full schedule follows: April 27 – Rod Stewart
May 4 – Sting
May 11 – Destiny's Child
May 18 – Ricky Martin
May 25 – James Taylor
June 1 – Gloria Estefan
June 8 – Trisha Yearwood
June 15 – Sugar Ray
June 22 – Prince
June 29 – Earth, Wind & Fire
July 2 – The Backstreet Boys
July 6 – Shaggy
July 13 – Jennifer Lopez
July 20 – Jimmy Buffet
July 27 – Neil Diamond
Aug. 3 – Ringo & His All Star Band
Aug. 10 – Melissa Etheridge
Aug. 17 – Tim McGraw
Aug. 24 – 'N Sync
Aug. 31 – TBA
Sept. 7 – John Mellencamp
Sept. 14 – Macy Gray
Sept. 21 – Sheryl Crow