Greek, Universal book big names

Multi-Grammy-winner Norah Jones, Neil Young & Crazy Horse and James Taylor are among the highlights of the 2003 seasons at the Greek Theatre and the Universal Amphitheatre.

Though young rock bands Good Charlotte and New Found Glory have a Universal date, the emphasis at both venues is on veteran acts, including the Allman Brothers Band, Meat Loaf, Boston and Ringo Starr.

Latin music is also prominent, with Jaguares and La Ley representing rock en espanol and Vicente Fernandez representing more traditional genres.

This marks the second year that former rivals Nederlander Concerts and House of Blues Concerts Inc. will jointly produce and market concerts at the two theaters.

The Premiere Marquee Club subscription program will be available for orders Friday through April 27: online at www.pmcla.com; by mailing an order form to Premiere Marquee Club, P.O. Box 8679, Universal City, CA 91618; by faxing an order form to (818) 622-3638; or by calling Ticketmaster at (213) 365-3642.

The Greek: Ramsey Lewis and Nancy Wilson on May 3; Ray Charles and Buddy Guy on May 23; “A Prairie Home Companion” on June 6; Mannheim Steamroller on June 8; Al Green and Susan Tedeschi on June 25; Tower of Power, Tierra and Malo on June 28; Harry Belafonte on July 11; Crosby, Stills & Nash on July 12; the Rippingtons on July 18; “Sounds of Hawaii” on July 20; Neil Young & Crazy Horse on July 22-23; Mark Knopfler on July 24; Jackson Browne and Steve Earle on July 26; La Ley on July 27; Norah Jones on July 30; Heart on Aug. 3; Kenny Loggins and America on Aug. 16; Olivia Newton-John on Aug. 21; Gipsy Kings on Aug. 22-23; “Weird Al” Yankovic on Sept. 5; the Allman Brothers Band on Sept. 7; Wynonna and Jo Dee Messina on Sept 14; Chicago on Sept. 19-20; James Taylor on Oct. 7-8; the Robert Cray Band and John Hiatt & the Goners on Sept. 28.

Universal Amphitheatre: Jaguares on May 2; Danzig on May 3; “Kings & Queens of Comedy Search” on May 8; New Found Glory and Good Charlotte on June 7; Polo Polo on June 14; Kenny Chesney on June 19; Marisela and Grupo Limite featuring Alicia Villareal on June 22; Poison on July 3; Queensryche and Dream Theater on July 24; Meat Loaf and Cyndi Lauper on July 25; ‘70s Soul Jam featuring the Stylistics on July 26; Boston on Aug. 5; La Banda Elastica Awards 2003 on Aug. 14; Ricardo Arjona on Aug. 15; David Lee Roth on Aug. 22; Lupillo Rivera on Aug. 23; Ringo Starr & His All Starr Band on Sept. 6; Carrot Top on Sept. 19; George Lopez on Oct. 10-11; Steve Harvey on Oct. 24; Vicente Fernandez on Nov. 7-9; Fiesta Navidad featuring Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Linda Ronstadt, Ballet Folklorico Ollin on Nov. 28; Trans-Siberian Orchestra in December, TBA; Kenny Rogers’ “Christmas From the Heart featuring the Toy Shop” on Dec. 18; Estrellas de Navidad featuring Jon Secada, Jaci Velasquez and Arturo Sandoval on Dec. 19; Brian Setzer Orchestra on Dec. 20; Ballet Folklorico de Mexico Fiesta Navidad on Dec. 21; Smokey Robinson on Feb. 7.