It's only rock 'n' roll, but a small group of music fans are proving how much they like the Rolling Stones by lining up outside the massive site of the Toronto benefit concert dubbed SARS-stock.

"It's a thing I have with the Stones. If they didn't see me out there they'd feel lost and lonely. They have to see their number one fan," one woman told CFTO News Tuesday afternoon.

Hundreds of early arrivals were camped outside one of three gates at Downsview Park, hoping to get a jump on the up to 450,000 fans expected at the all-day music festival Wednesday.

For their efforts, came a reward. The Rolling Stones conducted a sound check early Tuesday evening, and the fans got a brief preview of the show.

Inside, a large sign emblazoned with the word Toronto in giant red letters hangs over the massive stage, the middle "o" replaced with a picture of the Stones' trademark tongue logo.

"We have over nine video screens placed around so everybody can see ... I'm not even going to hazard a guess what the wattage is for sound, but I'm told you can hear it in London," said Stones production director Jake Berry.

He said the band was looking forward to the show, which he promised would be huge.

"We're going to be over the size of Woodstock," Berry said. However, he noted Woodstock was planned in a year. "We're Woodstock in a month," he joked.

While critics have warned the short notice for the massive benefit event didn't allow for enough preparation, those involved say they're ready.

"There's a very good plan in place if anything happens to anybody. Not only do they have medical posts but there is a base hospital here staffed with people from North York General Hospital ... they can even put casts on people right on site," said David Sheen of the Toronto Fire Department.

MP Dennis Mills said credit should go to the Stones for agreeing to do the show when Toronto was under a SARS travel advisory.

"They made the commitment to come when everyone else was going away," Mills said.

Proceeds from the event will go to hospitality and health care workers hit by the SARS crisis.

Hungry fans will be able to get their fill of Canadian beef at the show -- a 400 metre barbecue has been set in an effort to help out a cattle industry hit hard by the mad cow scare.

"I've never done a show this big. I have no idea what I'm doing. We're just going to wing this one," barbecuer Larry Murphy told CFTO News.

The Stones arrived in Toronto on Monday night before being whisked to their downtown hotel.

Other acts include Justin Timberlake, AC/DC, the Guess Who, Flaming Lips and Isley Brothers.

Gates at Downsview Park will open at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday.

With a report from The Canadian Press