On This Day: Live Aid

Today in 1985 musicians from around the globe were brought together by Bob Geldolf and Midge Ure to help raise relief funds for the devastating famine taking place in Ethiopia. The event was affectionately referred to as a “global jukebox” as concerts took place in both London and Philadelphia.

The concerts were a roaring success with over 70,000 people attending at Wembley Stadium in London, and 100,000 at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia and with satellite link ups it is estimated a further 1.9 billion watched the broadcasts across 150 countries!

The line ups at both events read like a who’s who featuring appearances by David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Queen, Eric Clapton, U2, The Four Tops, BB King, Billy Ocean, Ozzy Osbourne, Sting; Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Duran Duran, Judas Priest, The Beach Boys, Dire Straits, The Who, The Pretenders, Santana, Elton John and Kiki Dee and Madonna.

Paul headlined the Wembley concert with a rousing rendition of ‘Let It Be’, and was also his first live performance since Wings’ 1979 tour of the UK.

Discover more treasures from the archives by using the 'On This Day' calendar feature pictured below!