Live Aid-30 years Ago today

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of Live Aid. July 13 1985. The year before this many famous musicians got together, called themselves Band Aid and recorded Do They Know It`s Christmas?(numerous other similar projects by other musicians around the world, including Northern Lights-Canada and USA For Africa among others).  All proceeds went to help fight famine in Africa. This project spawned talk of a summer event in 1985 with the same goal, and Live Aid was born. The main spark for the project was Bob Geldof. He was called a “foul mouthed fading pop star“, but he was so passionate he basically pestered musicians until the relented and showed up.

The first performance is Boomtown Rats(Bob Geldof)

Next is Dire straits

Here is Queen

Here is Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

Now Black Sabbath

Here is Led Zeppelin

It is important to note that many bands reunited just for this event. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Black Sabbath (with Ozzy), and Led Zeppelin. The band members stopped their bickering that had contributed to the bands breaking up. It could be argued that Led Zeppelin stopped when John Bonham died, but there were some hostilities. Jimmy Page was upset that just before the event Robert Plant said he would not do Stairway to Heaven, and it took Freddie Mercury to convince him that it should be done. Also in the Led Zeppelin set Robert Plant`s voice was hoarse, Jimmy Page`s guitar work was a little rusty, and Phil Collins did not have enough time to practice the song. They were on stage but all probably did not want to be.

Here is a link to the first part of a BBC Live Aid Documentary

My first concert was in 1985 in Toronto, but I would have loved if this had been my 2nd. In memory I am glad this event happened, and even if it helped save one life, it was worthwhile.

For the help and effort, I give Bob Geldof and Live Aid

10/10