Pearl Jam Lead London Classic Rock Onslaught

Fans of classic rock are set to be served well next summer when a clutch of heritage bands descend on London for a series of high profile, outdoor live dates.

First up, grunge veterans Pearl Jam have been confirmed to headline the 2010 Hard Rock Calling Festival in Hyde Park on Jun. 25. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Dec. 11) from the event's official website, and other acts for the three-day event will be announced soon.

The Seattle band have proved themselves to be more resilient than many of their contemporaries from the early 1990s and are still a top live draw.


However, those fans who prefer their classic rock to be of a more distinguished vintage will be dusting off their loon pants at the news that prog godheads Emerson, Lake and Palmer are to headline a new UK festival dedicated solely to classic rock.

The High Voltage festival will be held in London's Victoria Park on July 24 and 25 and the trio be joined by hirsute boogie band ZZ Top.

E.L.P. have been persuaded by the festival's organisers to reform especially for the event which is likely to be the last show they ever play together. At the height of their notoriety in the mid 1970s, E.L.P. sold more than 40m albums including 'Tarkus' and 'Brain Salad Surgery.'