Live Aid, the day the music changed the world, took place on July 13, 1985.
The legendary benefit show emanated from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It helped raise more than $125 million for African famine relief efforts and was broadcast live in 110 countries and was watched by over a billion people worldwide.
Live Aid remains one of the biggest music moments in history. Some of the most legendary acts performed during the show. In the case of U2, it helped cement the band’s status as one of the best live acts ever. However, Bono has a hard time looking back on the memorable performance. Why? His prominent ’80s mullet.
He wrote in 2022 memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, “…As for the show itself, influential though it was in the arc of our band, I confess that I find it excruciating to watch. It’s a little humbling that during one of the greatest moments of your life, you’re having a bad hair day.”
Bad hair days aside, Live Aid was such a massive cultural moment that it is the subject of an upcoming stage musical, Just For One Day, which ran at the Old Vic Theatre in London’s West End from January 26 to March 30. Deadline reported in October 2023 that Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof attached to the production.
Director Luke Sheppard helmed Just For One Day, with John O’Farrell writing the book. The premise of the show revolves around the people that helped make Live Aid happen. Sheppard told Deadline that Just For One Day looks at Live Aid “from all angles, including from the technicians who are trying to pull off this satellite broadcast to the first-aid worker who was running the first-aid tent.”
Of course, Geldof is a character in the show. Sheppard noted of the Geldof character, ” … The character who embodies Bob on stage has found within him, I think, a similar kind of fiery spirit and a similar kind of attitude on that stage. So when you watch the show, Bob, he’s instantly recognizable.”
As for the music in the production, some of the songs performed at Live Aid have been cleared for use. Sheppard alluded that Geldof was particularly helpful in this regard. Playbill notes the jukebox musical features songs from Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Pretenders, The Cars, Status Quo, Paul Weller, Sade, The Boomtown Rats, Bryan Adams, Diana Ross, Ultravox, and more.
In honor of the anniversary of Live Aid, take a look at these ten must-watch performances.
