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Live Aid: 40 Years On, Musicians Share Exclusive Insights

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the world celebrates the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the 1985 dual-venue benefit concert that brought together iconic musicians to raise awareness and funds for the Ethiopian famine, those who took part are sharing unfiltered insights into the experience. On July 13, 1985, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially opened the event, which was broadcast to a staggering 1.9 billion people worldwide.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dee C. Lee, vocalist for The Style Council, revealed she was so nervous before performing that she threw up just before taking the stage, explaining why she wore dark glasses during the concert.
  • Status Quo's Francis Rossi recalled the argument among performers about who should go on stage first, with the band ultimately deciding to take the opening slot to avoid a long wait.
  • Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp admitted to choosing the wrong moment to perform the band's new track, "Virgin," given the magnitude of the event, instead of playing more familiar hits like "Gold."
  • Legendary DJ Paul Gambaccini recalled the electricity in the air as Queen took the stage, noting that someone came up to him and said, "They are stealing the show!"
  • Protagonist Sir Bob Geldof remembered a poignant moment when David Bowie ended his set early so they could play the original 1984 Michael Burke news report in Ethiopia that started the whole Live Aid movement, recalling that the crowd went quiet as everyone remembered what they were there for.
  • Billy Ocean praised Bob Geldof for organizing the event, saying it was a groundbreaking moment for Africans.
  • Nik Kershaw, whose band Boomtown Rats performed at Live Aid, recalled a particularly tense atmosphere backstage until he finished his set, when he saw his bandmates in the royal box putting their hands up for beers.
  • Sir Bob revealed that Freddie Mercury was even hesitant to perform, expressing uncertainty about taking part due to his exhaustion at the time.

Statistics:

  • 1.9 billion people watched Live Aid worldwide, with broadcasts in over 150 countries.
  • Live Aid raised more than £114 million for Ethiopian famine relief, as well as around £8 million from Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas" single.
  • Queen's set at Live Aid is widely regarded as one of the most iconic performances in popular music history.
  • Live Aid took place 40 years ago, with the Dual single-stage concert featuring some of the world's most iconic musicians, drawing in thousands of fans from all over the world.

Sources:

  • "Live Aid: The Fans' Story"
  • BBC Sounds
  • BBC Radio 2
  • BBC Interview with Sir Bob Geldof
  • Quote from Dee C. Lee, BBC Sounds' Live Aid: Fans' Story
  • Quote from Francis Rossi, Status Quo
  • Quote from Gary Kemp, Spandau Ballet
  • Quote from Nik Kershaw, Boomtown Rats
  • Quote from Billy Ocean
  • "Do They Know It's Christmas" single
  • Live Aid 40th Anniversary Live Podcast

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