BENEFIT IN PHILADELPHIA, LONDON : CONCERTS TO AID FAMINE VICTIMS

In what will be the most impressive and star-studded rock extravaganza since Woodstock, dozens of artists--including Bob Dylan, Paul McCartney and the Who--will join forces July 13 in another effort to raise money for famine victims in Africa.

Two concerts--staged simultaneously in both London and Philadelphia--are expected to draw a television audience of more than 1 billion and generate single-day revenues between $25 million and $50 million.

Tickets for the concerts are expected to cost $35 and will be available nationwide at a date to be announced. The entire 17-hour benefit will be broadcast live in the United States, an official explained, on a major pay-TV cable company.

A three-hour special of concert highlights will be carried by a major network.

The concerts will also be broadcast, the official added, on international television and radio.

Plans for the concerts were announced Monday in London by Bob Geldof. Late last year, Geldof organized Band Aid, a collection of British rock stars who recorded an album whose revenues would be used for African famine relief. The success of Band Aid led to the hugely popular “We Are the World” single in the United States.

“As the (famine) situation worsens in Africa, Band Aid has kept millions of people alive,” Geldof told reporters in London. “It is not enough just to keep them alive. We must give them a life as well.

“The idea is to have a global juke box under the banner ‘Live Aid.’ The most important people in the music world of the past 20 years will be taking part in this event and will be giving their services free of charge,” he said.

The tentative lineup, as presented by an official of Worldwide Sports and Entertainment, which is managing media and marketing rights for the concert, includes the following.

Philadelphia, John F. Kennedy Stadium: Dylan; Stevie Wonder; Billy Joel; Duran, Duran; Eric Clapton; Bryan Adams; Huey Lewis and the News; Neil Young; The Cars; Tears for Fears; Santana; Power Station; Simple Minds; Paul Simon; Hall & Oates with the Temptations; Rod Stewart.

London, Wembley Stadium: McCartney; The Who; Elton John; David Bowie; Sting; Mick Jagger; U2; Boy George; Elvis Costello; Boomtown Rats (featuring Geldof); Bryan Ferry; Dire Straits; Queen; Sade; Phil Collins; Wham!; The Pretenders; Status Quo.

Other acts may be added in the coming weeks.