When Was Live Aid Concert?
When was the Live Aid Concert you may want to ask?
Live Aid was a unique event, a benefit concert that took place simultaneously at two different locations on Saturday, July 13, 1985. Initiated by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure in 1984, it aimed at generating funds for the assistance of Ethiopians in the starving country. As of now, Live Aid has been viewed by more than 1.9 billion people across 150 countries and is still regarded as one of the greatest music events and broadcasts ever.
Origins of Live Aid
The origins of Live Aid can be traced back to the end of 1984, when, watching BBC News, Bob Geldof, a singer of the Irish band The Boomtown Rats, saw a report on the famine in Ethiopia. Geldof was reportedly so shaken by the report that he immediately called Midge Ure, lead singer of the band Ultravox, and together the two men came up with a song called ‘Do They Know Its Christmas?’ to be recorded by a super-group called Band-Aid to raise funds for famine relief.
The song was recorded on that very same day and was later issued under the name Band-Aid, featuring the British and Irish pop stars of the time. It was the fastest-selling single of all time in the UK until then and sold for more than £8 million, mostly for humanitarian aid in Ethiopia. Although “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was a monster hit, Geldof’s goal was that much more was required, and Live Aid was soon started as a much bigger show to fight poverty and famine in Africa.
Planning the Concerts
Geldof dreamt big in his first conception of the Live Aid plan, aimed at having the benefit concert happening at the same time across several TV networks in both the UK and the USA. When the BBC signed on, Geldof started going after America and he was able to convince the producer, Don Ienner, to air a concert if there was one that could be organized. When it was time to organize Live Aid, having two locations meant that it became a hugely, urgently mobilized effort through early 1985.
The first concert in the UK was at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The principal live music event in the United States occurred in John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While some managers and promoters may have had certain concerns about such an unplanned mega concert, all the rock bands of that era offered to perform, including U2, Madonna, The Who, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, Neil Young, and other top British and American artists.
Because the planning was rushed, the primitiveness of the satellite technology at the time resulted in difficulties in broadcasting clear live transatlantic television. However, the networks made a blunder that was a first in satellite link-up between London and Philadelphia to televise the concerts at the same time around the world.
There was Live Aid Day on the 13th of July 1985.
With the images of Wembley Stadium appearing in front of the public on the morning of Saturday, July 13th, 1985, there was so much enthusiasm and fun for Live Aid. The colossal stadium with accommodation of 72,000 fans and 1000 crew members is anticipated for the first performance starting at noon with the British keyboardist Richard “Rick” Wakeman. Soon after this, more stars in their prime, such as U2, The Who, Elton John, Madonna, and other performers, entertained the crowd with great performances on the Wembley stage.
Over in Philadelphia, on the other side of the Atlantic, around 100,000 fans warmed up the John F Kennedy Stadium. It was viewed by an estimated 1.5 billion people around the world at the first American Live Aid performances as Joan Baez and The Blackwood Brothers started the broadcast in Philadelphia in the afternoon. The majority of the US acts were shared between Wembley and JFK Stadiums, however, some groups such as Led Zeppelin and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, to name a couple only regrouped for one spectacular concert at JFK Stadium.
Epic Moments
Two other truly shocking statements added to the lore of the event. During Elton John’s performance at Wembley in the middle of the day, the telephones in the dressing room started ringing. The caller on the line was David Bowie, who offered to perform. Though he was not included in the original Live Aid lineup, this artist was perhaps one of the most memorable performers of the event.
The other element of the surprise was when Phil Collins arrived at Wembley Stadium and after rousing the audience with his drum solo and some songs on his synthesizer, he flew by Concoro across the Atlantic to perform his second set at the JFK Stadium. Thus, Collins was the only musician who played at both London's and Philadelphia’s concerts on the same day.
During the climax between late afternoon and early evening, Queen gave what is probably the most acknowledged live performance by a rock band at Wembley Stadium. The audience was on its feet for the finale led by Freddie Mercury, who sang several hits before going to the last band theme, ‘We Are the Champions.’
Later that night at JFK Stadium, Led Zeppelin and Crosby, Stills & Nash performed their sets with zeal and intensity as they shared the bill. Finally, Band-Aid with Phil Collins was appropriately formed to record the 1984 hit ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ just before sunrise in Philadelphia, to conclude 16 hours of incredible performances.
Aftermath & Legacy
To sum it all up, Live Aid turned out to be even more successful than anyone could have imagined—a phenomenal event in terms of fundraising as well as an unforgettable concert. The charity single, merchandising, concert album, and most importantly, television transmission, enabled Live Aid to garner more than £150 million globally for famine-stricken Ethiopia. It thrilled music lovers and musicians like never before because it revealed quite a different facet of music—one that can spread kindness and bring people together.
Since then, Live Aid has risen in the annals of rock history to become nothing less than legendary as one of the apexes of live entertainment on stage and television. There are still regular attempts to replicate its formula, including Live 8 and the recent One World: Together at Home COVID-19 fundraiser, which took place online. But none has equaled the authentic spirit, young talent, or fabulous one-shot performances that the first Live Aid concert was and shall remain etched in the memories of the world forever.
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