On July 13, 1985, the world stopped to witness one of the most iconic events in music history: Live Aid. Organized by Bob Geldof to raise funds for the Ethiopian famine, it connected two continents, gathered the biggest artists on the planet, and sparked a new level of global awareness. Forty years on, that day remains legendary.
Beyond raising £40 million, Live Aid symbolized something greater: music speaking truth to power. As Joan Baez later said, “Many young people didn’t even know there was hunger in the world—until that day.”
At Wembley Stadium, Queen delivered what is still considered one of the greatest live sets of all time—a 20-minute masterclass that was later recreated in Bohemian Rhapsody. Earlier, U2 turned their performance of Bad into an emotional, 12-minute epic, with Bono jumping into the crowd and sacrificing Pride (In the Name of Love) for a spontaneous, unforgettable moment.
In Philadelphia, performances ranged from the chaotic to the iconic. The Led Zeppelin reunion—with Phil Collins flying in from London last minute—was plagued by missed notes and tech issues, while Madonna, Duran Duran, and others brought ’80s pop to the rock-heavy lineup.
Paul McCartney, performing Let It Be solo, faced a mic failure—only to be joined by an impromptu chorus including David Bowie, Bob Geldof, Pete Townshend, and Alison Moyet, turning technical disaster into magic.
The American finale featured Bob Dylan alongside Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, sweating under the lights, breaking a guitar string mid-song—only to be handed a spare on the spot. Imperfect, raw, and totally unforgettable.
Live Aid wasn’t just a concert. It was a global wake-up call. Forty years later, its message—and its music—still echoes.