Ross, Henley, Browne Spark Universal Lineup

Diana Ross will make her first Los Angeles-area concert appearances in five years when she headlines the Universal Amphitheatre for four nights beginning July 19.

Ross--whose shows will be part of her first tour since she became part owner of Motown Records--was among 41 acts announced Wednesday for the amphitheater’s spring through fall season.

Also returning after lengthy hiatuses from touring are Don Henley, whose Sept. 26 and 27 shows will be his first L.A. dates in four years, and Jackson Browne, whose Aug. 11-13 stand represents his first non-benefit L.A. shows in three years.

Nearly half of the 41 acts will be making multi-night stands. They include Dolly Parton (July 12-13), L.L. Cool J (July 25-26), Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers (July 29-30), Randy Travis (Aug. 9-10), Kenny Rogers (Nov. 24-26) and Barry Manilow (Dec. 26-31).

“It’s the most (multi-night stints) we’ve had since we opened in ‘82,” said Larry Vallon, the amphitheater’s executive vice president, noting what he sees as a trend toward such stands in mid-size venues (the Universal holds 6,200) as an alternative to single shows at such larger arenas as the Forum or Los Angeles Sports Arena.

Also increased this year will be the the number of shows featuring the general admission, standing-only “Party in the Pit” area in front of the regular reserved seats. Introduced last year for several shows, including concerts by Keith Richards and Steel Pulse, the “party” tickets will be offered this year for such acts as Petty and L.L. Cool J.

For some other shows, Vallon said, special themes will be adopted, a la Duran Duran’s shows last month for which the amphitheater was decorated as a mid-’60s English dance club. One special event planned is Joan Baez’s Dec. 16 show, which will mark the singer’s 30th anniversary as a professional musician and will feature special guest appearances.

Vallon said the 41 acts represent about half of the final amphitheater summer/fall lineup. Additional shows will be announced as acts are signed.

The schedule also includes several non-pop music performances, with the Royal Danish Ballet (June 11), comic actress/singer Sandra Bernhard (Oct. 5) and comedian Steven Wright (Oct. 9).

The rest of the announced schedule:

April 29, Guy, Today and Salt-N-Pepa; May 17, a reggae fest with the Wailers and Third World; May 19-21, Willie Nelson; May 26-27, Roberto Carlos; June 2, the “Classic New York Doo-Wopp Show”; June 3, Eddie Money; June 15-16, Hank Williams Jr.; June 20-21, Jimmy Buffett; June 23-24, Smokey Robinson; June 25, Tiffany and New Kids on the Block; June 30, Ashford & Simpson.

July 9, the Monkees; July 14-15, David Sanborn; Aug. 1-2, America and Three Dog Night; Aug. 6, “Quiet Storm” with Phyllis Hyman and others; Aug. 25, Tony Bennett; Aug. 26, Randy Newman; Aug. 30-31, the Bee Gees; Sept. 8-9, Pointer Sisters; Sept. 15-16, Peter, Paul & Mary; Oct. 6, Dwight Yoakam; Nov. 4, Michael W. Smith; Nov. 10, the Jets; Nov. 11-12, the Whispers; Dec. 1-2. Kenny G.

Concerts by Public Image Limited and Rick Astley are to be announced.