Diana Ross joins Liverpool Summer Pops 2008 line-up

Jun 20 2008 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

A galaxy of stars has been unveiled for the 2008 Liverpool Summer Pops.

Motown superstar Diana Ross joins a line-up which also includes Mick Hucknall of Simply Red, Counting Crows and a rock double bill of Def Leppard and Whitesnake.

Diana Ross returns to the Pops on Saturday, July 12.

Simply Red frontman Mick Hucknall will take to the stage on Tuesday, July 1 and American rock band Counting Crows will make their Pops debut, on Tuesday, July 8.

Two of the world’s greatest rock band’s Def Leppard and Whitesnake are joined by special guests Thunder on Tuesday, July 15.

Michael Ball will be performing a very special ‘musicals spectacular’ show, especially for the Liverpool audience, including numbers from Hairspray as well as hit songs taken from some of the world’s best-loved musicals.

Stadium rocker Meat Loaf will bring his Casa De Carne Tour to the ECHO Arena on July 2.

The 60-year-old American, who has sold more than 70m albums worldwide, has said he could not wait to return to Liverpool after his previous Pops appearance in 2005.

He said: “It’s so good to be back and I’m really looking forward to playing the new ECHO Arena.”

Counting Crows frontman David Immergluck says he and the band relish being on tour and are looking forward to coming to Liverpool on July 8 – home of his heroes Echo and the Bunnymen.

“I love it. I live for it,” he grins.

“You get to see the world and I feel like I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing with my life.

“Counting Crows play a different set every night, much to the chagrin of our crew. S ometimes we change mid-set.”

Also appearing at this year’s festival are The Australian Pink Floyd Show, Crowded House, Deacon Blue and Michael Buble.

A limited amount of Gold Circle tickets are available each night.

For tickets and the VIP Pops experience, call the ECHO Arena on 0844 800 0400, go online to www.accliverpool.com, Ticketmaster on 0844 847 1616, Ticketline on 0151-256 5555, Seetickets on 0871 220 0260, Liverpool Direct on 0151-233 3007 or in person from the 08 Place or arena box office.