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Concerts

Live Aid Marks 40th Anniversary: A Comprehensive Look Back

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

This year marks a significant milestone for Live Aid, the iconic two-venue benefit concert that took place on Saturday, July 13, 1985, in London and Philadelphia. Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the event aimed to raise funds for the relief of the 1983 to 1985 famine in Ethiopia, ultimately raising millions. As the event celebrates its 40th anniversary, the BBC has released a documentary series, Live Aid at 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World, and will air extended highlights from the concert, giving viewers a chance to relive the music and memories.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Live Aid concert was a groundbreaking event that united the world to fight famine in Ethiopia, raising millions for the cause.
  • The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, with performances by iconic artists such as Simple Minds, Bono, Brian May, David Bowie, Roger Daltrey, Spandau Ballet, and Sting.
  • The full 16-hour broadcast of Live Aid is available on the Internet Archive website, while the full show can also be found on DVD.
  • The BBC will air 10 hours of highlights from the concert in a live-streamed event on Sunday, July 13, and release a documentary series, Live Aid at 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World.
  • The documentary series features exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews with iconic figures such as Bob Geldof, Bono, and Sting.
  • Live Aid: The Concert will give viewers a chance to relive more than six-and-a-half hours of extended highlights of the London and Philadelphia concerts.
  • The event will also feature backstage footage, including interviews with iconic names such as Bono, Brian May, David Bowie, Roger Daltrey, Spandau Ballet and Sting.

Statistics:

  • The Live Aid concert was watched by nearly 2 billion TV viewers in over 150 countries.
  • The event raised millions for the relief of the 1983 to 1985 famine in Ethiopia.
  • The full 16-hour broadcast of Live Aid is available on the Internet Archive website.
  • The full show can also be found on DVD.
  • The BBC will air extended highlights from the 16 hours of music in a documentary series, Live Aid: The Concert.
  • Simple Minds played in Philadelphia, introduced by Jack Nicholson, in front of nearly 2 billion TV viewers in over 150 countries.

Sources:

  • Twitter: Simple Minds (@simplemindscom)
  • Live Aid official Twitter
  • BBC iPlayer: Live Aid at 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World
  • BBC Two: Live Aid: The Concert

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