Live Aid: The day music changed the world
Live Aid was a phenomenon with an engaging and powerful legacy. Explore the story of how it all began and how things unfolded.
Image: Lenscap Photography / Shutterstock.com
Once upon a time, in the mid-1980s, the world witnessed a phenomenon that would change charity concerts forever – Live Aid. It was more than just a musical event, it was a globe-spanning, rock-and-roll revolution that united the world in a common cause.
Read on for a stroll down memory lane and relive the magic, the madness and the monumental impact of Live Aid.
The spark of inspiration
Live Aid was the brainchild of Irish Rocker, Bob Geldof. The lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, Geldof had been deeply moved by a BBC documentary highlighting the horrific famine in Ethiopia.
Determined to make a difference, along with Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he quickly wrote the now-iconic charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? The song was then performed by a supergroup of well-known British and Irish musicians under the name Band Aid. It became an instant hit and raised millions for famine relief.
But this was just the beginning. Geldof wanted something even bigger. He envisioned a global concert that would not only raise money but also increase awareness of the need on a massive scale.
The making of a mega-concert
Organising a global concert was no small feat. It was a logistical nightmare of epic proportions. Mainly because the idea was that two main concerts would take place on two different continents – Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. The concerts would be broadcast live via satellite and create a continuous 16-hour music marathon that the whole world could watch.
Geldof used his fame and Irish charm to convince musicians and industry executives to get on board. The lineup quickly became a who’s who of rock and pop royalty – Queen, David Bowie, U2, The Who, Madonna and a reunited Led Zeppelin, to name just a few.
On 13th July 1985, the world tuned in as Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened the concert. Wembley Stadium kicked off at noon, London time, with a performance by Status Quo. The concert then bounced across the Atlantic to Philadelphia, where Joan Baez greeted the crowd saying, ‘This is your Woodstock, and it’s long overdue.’
The performances that rocked the world
Live Aid wasn’t just about raising money – it was about making history. And it certainly did that. All the performances were electric and unforgettable. Queen, with Freddie Mercury’s commanding presence, played a 21-minute set, which is often said to be one of the greatest live performances in rock history.
When U2 performed, Bono leapt off the stage to dance with a fan, delighting the thousands of spectators. And David Bowie’s rendition of Heroes highlighted the spirit of the event.
In Philadelphia, artists had their own legendary moments. Mick Jagger and Tina Turner performed a sizzling duet, and Bob Dylan joined together with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, adding to the magic.
The all-star finale featured a rendition of We Are the World, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. It was a stunning ending to the concert, bringing everyone together in a powerful display of unity.
The global impact
Live Aid became a clear call to action. Raising over $127 million for famine relief in Africa, it also brought the issue of global poverty into the living rooms of millions. People started important conversations and were inspired to get involved in all sorts of charitable causes.
The aftermath and legacy
In the years after Live Aid, Bob Geldof continued his humanitarian efforts, even earning a knighthood. The concert’s success also encouraged celebrities to get more involved in charity work, highlighting the usefulness of fame in making a real-world difference.
The legacy of Live Aid is a powerful one. It showed that music can be used for immense good and set a precedent for future benefit concerts. Events such as Farm Aid, Live 8 and Global Citizen Festival. It also inspired a musical – Just For One Day – which played at London’s Old Vic Theatre from January to March 2024.
Live Aid proved that when the world comes together, incredible things can happen. It was a music concert, but more importantly, it was a global statement of compassion, solidarity and hope. So, the next time you hear the opening chords of Bohemian Rhapsody or Born in the USA, remember that summer day in 1985 when music truly changed the world.
