Today feature reporter and weatherman Al Roker recently shared with LAUNCH his thoughts on vocal-harmony pop groups like the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync. "My 13-year-old, Courtney, said, 'So Dad, who do you think is better: 98 Degrees, the Backstreet Boys, or 'N Sync?' And of course my initial reaction is, 'There's a difference?' But, of course, you don't want to say that because then you're doing the same thing that your parents did to you, and then once you listen to them, yeah, they're all different, they're all good. It's interesting in that they all kind of take from, I think, rhythm-and-blues and hip-hop, and they kind of make their sound, and there you have it."
Rod Stewart will kick off the outdoor performances on April 27, marking his first-ever appearance in the Today Summer Concert Series. Additional 2001 first-time performers include John Mellencamp and Neil Diamond. Multiple Grammy Award-winner Sting takes the stage for the third time in his career on May 4. Today will also welcome back favorites such as Prince, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Gloria Estefan. The free live concerts will take place every Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. ET outside Today's Studio 1A at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.
The Today Summer Concert Series schedule (subject to change):
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 - Backstreet Boys
July 6 - Shaggy
July 13 - Jennifer Lopez
July 20 - Jimmy Buffett
July 27 - Neil Diamond
August 3 - Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band
August 10 - Melissa Etheridge
August 17 - Tim McGraw
August 24 - 'N Sync
August 31 - TBA
September 7 - John Mellencamp
September 14 - Macy Gray
September 21 - Sheryl Crow
-- Jason Gelman, New York