The Rolling Stones and Bruce Springsteen have pledged $5000 a piece to buy a seat at Melbourne's heritage Palais Theatre.
The Palais is to undergo restoration as part of the St Kilda Triangle development but residents are horrified.The controversial St Kilda Triangle development has already meant the destruction of rock venue The Palace and, if it goes ahead, it will make The Palais a part of an eye-sore shopping complex in the middle of the tourist area.
Community group unChain St Kilda have been vocally opposing the development and have come up with a compromise for both local council and state government.
Their plan is to remove The Palais from the St Kilda Triangle development project and restore the classic theatre from donations.
The plan is to sell-off sponsorship of the 2700 seats in the theatre for $5000 each. That would raise $13.5 million for the upgrade.
The plan was unveiled on Friday by actress Rachel Griffiths. Ms Griffiths was the first person to put down $5000 for the cause. She also announced that both The Stones and Springsteen would also contribute to the project.
The Rolling Stones played 3 shows at The Palace during their first Australian tour in 1965. A year later, they returned and played a further 6 shows at the venue.
Springsteen played 3 shows on his acoustic tour of 1997.
"The Palais' grandeur has world-wide appeal and holds fond memories for a multitude of performers and audience - from rock to ballet," Rachel said.
Details on how to contribute to the project will be announced shortly at the unchain St Kilda website.
