1985 Live Aid

1985 Live Aid was a dual-venue benefit concert held on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, featuring performances by Queen, U2, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, and Madonna. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in response to the Ethiopian famine, with the goal of raising funds for UNICEF and other organizations providing aid to Ethiopia. The concert was attended by 72,000 people at Wembley Stadium and 89,484 at John F. Kennedy Stadium, and was broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Radio 1, and MTV, with ABC News and NBC News providing coverage in the United States. The event also featured performances by Tom Petty, Neil Young, and Eric Clapton, and was supported by Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Background

The idea for the concert was conceived by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure after they watched a BBC News report on the Ethiopian famine by Michael Buerk and Mohammed Amin. The report highlighted the devastating effects of the famine, which had already claimed the lives of over a million people, and sparked a sense of urgency among the British public. Geldof and Ure were inspired by the work of Band Aid, a supergrupo they had formed in 1984 to record the charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?, which featured Bono, Phil Collins, Sting, and George Michael. The success of the single, which was released on RCA Records and Columbia Records, led to the idea of organizing a larger event to raise more funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine. The concert was supported by Harvey Goldsmith, a British promoter who had worked with The Rolling Stones and Pink Floyd, and Bill Graham, a American promoter who had worked with The Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin.

Organization

The organization of the concert was a massive undertaking, involving a team of event planners, sound engineers, and stage managers. The event was held at two venues, Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, with a total of 161,000 attendees. The concert was broadcast live on BBC One, BBC Radio 1, and MTV, with ABC News and NBC News providing coverage in the United States. The event was sponsored by Budweiser, Coca-Cola, and IBM, and was supported by UNICEF, Oxfam, and other organizations providing aid to Ethiopia. The concert featured a diverse range of performers, including rock bands like The Who and U2, pop stars like Madonna and Wham!, and jazz musicians like B.B. King and Joan Baez.

Performances

The concert featured a total of 22 performances, including Queen's iconic set, which included Bohemian Rhapsody and We Will Rock You. U2 performed a memorable set, which included Sunday Bloody Sunday and Pride (In the Name of Love). David Bowie performed a set that included Rebel Rebel and Let's Dance, while The Who performed a set that included My Generation and Won't Get Fooled Again. Elton John performed a set that included Rocket Man and Candle in the Wind, and Madonna performed a set that included Holiday and Into the Groove. Other notable performances included Tom Petty's set, which included Refugee and Free Fallin', and Neil Young's set, which included The Needle and the Damage Done and Old Man.

Impact

The concert had a significant impact on the music industry and the world at large. The event raised over $150 million for UNICEF and other organizations providing aid to Ethiopia, and helped to raise awareness about the Ethiopian famine. The concert also had a profound effect on the music industry, as it marked a turning point in the use of live music as a tool for social activism. The event inspired a new generation of musicians to use their music as a force for social change, and paved the way for future benefit concerts like Live 8 and Live Earth. The concert was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth II, who awarded Bob Geldof and Midge Ure with honorary knighthoods for their services to charity and music.

Legacy

The legacy of the concert continues to be felt today, with many regarding it as one of the most significant music events of the 20th century. The concert has been recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the 50 Moments That Changed the History of Rock and Roll, and has been named as one of the Greatest Concerts of All Time by VH1. The concert has also been the subject of several documentaries, including Live Aid (film), which was released in 2015 to mark the 30th anniversary of the event. The concert has inspired a new generation of musicians and social activists, and continues to be celebrated as a testament to the power of music to bring people together and inspire social change. Category:Benefit concerts