Today in History - A major Music Charity Event across the world!
It is now 32 years ago when this awesome initiative took place. I watched it on TV - one of the best ever Charity Campaign of mankind to feed poor people from Africa. This was an epic initiative by the music industry before things like the Internet have been invented! Huge Stars joined forces to help people suffering from hunger! Who of you remembers this?
On July 13, 1985 "Live Aid" concerts were held at both Wembley Stadium (London) and John F. Kennedy Stadium (Philadelphia) to raise money for African famine relief
The brainchild of Bob Geldof (Singer of the Boomtown Rats if someone knows them) who started in 1984 an initiative to help by publishing a Single called "Do they know it's christmas time" with a combination of Englisch Superstars was a monster project!
Two concert locations in London and Philadelphia were linked together (plus several other arenas across the world) to help people in Africa. This was before the Internet has been born. At Wembley Stadium in London it was Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially open Live Aid which was a 16-hour “superconcert” linked by satellite to more than a billion viewers in 110 countries. In total the event raised more than $125 million in famine relief for Africa.
Major Acts involved in the campaign and concerts have been Ultravox, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Phil Collins, U2, Wham! , Michael Jackson, Lionel Ritchie, Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper, Queen, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, and many more. During the show over 75 acts performed, see some of the performances below from Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits & Sting, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger & Tina Turner, David Bowie, Santana, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Madonna and Queen:
Sources: YouTube, Wikipedia, History.com