Forty years ago today, music history was made on a scale the world had never witnessed. On July 13, 1985, Live Aid united over a billion viewers across the globe in a groundbreaking 16-hour concert broadcast live from Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Organized by musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, the event was a response to the devastating famine ravaging Ethiopia, and it remains a symbol of how music can move mountains—and millions.
A Star-Studded Lineup for Humanity
Live Aid boasted performances from the biggest names in rock and pop. Queen’s 20-minute set at Wembley has since become legendary, often hailed as one of the greatest live performances in music history. Freddie Mercury’s electrifying vocals and commanding stage presence galvanized the crowd, cementing the band’s place in music lore.
Other unforgettable moments included U2’s extended version of “Bad,” in which Bono leapt into the audience to dance with a fan, showcasing music’s intimate power even on a massive stage. David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Who, Madonna, Led Zeppelin (with Phil Collins on drums), and countless others delivered passionate sets that kept audiences riveted on both sides of the Atlantic.
A Global Fundraising Triumph
When the final notes faded, Live Aid had raised over £125 million (more than $240 million in 1985 dollars) for famine relief—a staggering sum at the time. Beyond the funds, it sparked worldwide awareness and political pressure to address the crisis in Africa. Donations flooded in during the broadcast, with phones ringing off the hook as viewers from over 150 nations contributed.
A Legacy Still Felt in 2025
Fast forward to 2025, and the legacy of Live Aid endures. The Band Aid Trust, established to manage the funds, continues to support projects tackling poverty, hunger, and disease in Africa. Over the decades, money raised has helped fund food security programs, agricultural development, HIV/AIDS prevention, and education initiatives across several countries.
More importantly, Live Aid set the blueprint for benefit concerts and global telethons, inspiring events like Live 8 in 2005 and Global Citizen Festival, which merge star power with activism and fundraising. In an era of streaming and social media, the spirit of Live Aid lives on in digital platforms rallying support for humanitarian causes.
Bob Geldof reflected recently in an interview marking the 40th anniversary:
“It wasn’t about rock stars saving the world. It was about the audience realizing they could. Live Aid proved that ordinary people, united by music, could change history.”
A Reminder for a New Generation
As the world grapples with new humanitarian crisis —Live Aid remains a potent reminder of the good that collective action can achieve. In 2025, streaming services are releasing restored footage of the 1985 concerts in 4K, introducing a new generation to the passion and unity that defined that historic day.
Forty years on, the echoes of Wembley and JFK Stadium still resonate—a testament to the belief that music, compassion, and the human spirit can, indeed, change the world.
SUNDAY, 7.13, for 10 straight hours we relive the magic below!