ROME (August 1, 2006) — Billy Joel and Bryan Adams took the stage, with the Colosseum as the backdrop, and performed classic hits for hundreds of thousands of fans.
Joel performed favorites such as “New York State of Mind,” “Honesty” and “Just the Way You Are” during Monday night’s free concert.
While introducing one song, the 57-year-old singer joked in shaky Italian, “This song is as old as the Colosseum.”
Adams, 46, opened the show, performing classics including “Run to You.”
Giant screens were set up along Via dei Fori Imperiali, the large boulevard that leads to the Colosseum, for the throngs of people who could not see the stage.
Organizers estimated 500,000 people turned out for the show.
The concert in front of the Colosseum has become a fixture in Rome in recent years. Previous performers include Paul McCartney and Simon & Garfunkel.
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