Rolling Stones headline SARStock 22 years ago

Friday, 1 August 2025 08:18

On this day 22 years ago, half a million fans packed a Toronto airfield for the historic SARS benefit concert headlined by the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Rush.

22 years ago, a half-million people gathered at Downsview Park in Toronto to witness what would become the largest outdoor ticketed concert in Canadian history. The event, officially called "Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto," was better known as SARSStock — a one-day mega-concert designed to help boost the city’s morale and economy after the SARS outbreak that spring. Twenty-two years later, it’s still remembered as one of the greatest rock shows ever held on Canadian soil.

Organized in just six weeks, the lineup was nothing short of legendary. Leading the bill were The Rolling Stones, who also helped pull the event together, performing two full sets to close the night. Joining them were rock powerhouses like AC/DC, Rush, and The Guess Who — all Canadian favourites — plus international acts like Justin Timberlake, The Isley Brothers, and The Flaming Lips. Sass Jordan represented Canadian blues-rock, while Sam Roberts, Kathleen Edwards, La Chicane, and Blue Rodeo helped round out a diverse day of music.

The turnout was enormous. Reports estimated the crowd at over 450,000, with some suggesting it may have hit the half-million mark. Regardless of the final count, it set a Canadian record and remains the largest ticketed outdoor concert in the country's history. The venue was so vast that many people couldn’t see the stage directly and had to watch on large video screens, with the sound system carrying the music across the grounds of the old military base.

The Rolling Stones played a central role in the event. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and the band had a personal connection to the city and wanted to help it recover from the blow to tourism caused by the SARS outbreak. At the time, Jagger said their goal was to support Toronto’s recovery efforts. They wrapped up the night with a high-energy performance that featured hits like “Brown Sugar,” “Start Me Up,” and “Satisfaction.”

Before them, AC/DC delivered one of the most anticipated sets of the night. Brian Johnson and Angus Young tore through classics like “Back in Black,” “Thunderstruck,” and “Highway to Hell,” keeping the crowd on their feet. Rush also thrilled fans with a rare daytime appearance, playing “Tom Sawyer” and “Limelight,” giving longtime fans something special.

Not everyone was welcomed with open arms. Justin Timberlake, then riding high off his solo debut, faced a tough crowd. Bottles and toilet paper flew toward the stage as the mostly rock-based audience gave him a hard time. Still, he powered through his set and later joked about the experience on talk shows, calling it a “rock and roll education.”

The concert wasn’t just about the music. It was a show of solidarity and strength after a tough year. SARS, or severe acute respiratory syndrome, had shut down parts of Toronto in 2003. The city was declared safe again, but businesses, especially in hospitality and tourism, were still struggling. The idea behind SARSStock was to bring people together, remind the world Toronto was open for business, and put a little joy back into the summer.

Security was tight but respectful, with nearly 3,000 police officers and emergency workers on hand. The crowd, despite its size, stayed mostly peaceful and upbeat throughout the day. Temperatures hit the high 20s, and food vendors struggled to keep up, but the atmosphere stayed festive. It was part concert, part cultural reset, and part civic healing.

More than two decades later, the SARS benefit concert remains a standout moment in Canadian live music history. It wasn’t just the size of the crowd or the star power on stage — it was the sense of purpose behind it. Toronto had been knocked down, and the music helped lift it back up.

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