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Live Aid July 13 1985

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 26,899 ✭✭✭✭BBDBB


    the entire crowd in the palm of his hand

    an incredible set




  • Registered Users Posts: 99 ✭✭migemo


    The video to 'Drive' by The Cars still haunts me. I can't hear that brilliant song without thinking of Live Aid.


  • Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,088 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    I spent Live Aid on a Polish coal boat in a dump called Barry Island near Cardiff, where I was meeting a Polish friend who had intended coming to Dublin, but due to a dispute of some sort, could not dock in Dublin.

    We ended up going to see the James Bond film that starts with him snowboarding down a mountain to 'California Girls' - 'A view to a kill' I think.


  • Registered Users Posts: 776 ✭✭✭Judes


    I can't believe how much negativity has appeared on this thread. The minute I saw the title I was brought back to 1985, spending half the day in a well known Cork Bar, patrons/friends watching it together on one of the many screens around the room, (donations going on throughout the day) then later heading to the Night Club where I was working and collecting buckets of money for the cause!

    The music may not have always been "pitch perfect" but in fairness the Bands/Artists that appeared were not relaunching their careers - they were top at the time - it was the mid-80s!!!

    Like another poster - I still can't hear the song "Drive" without thinking of those children that video clip was haunting, remembering the performance of "Dancing on the Street" by Bowie/Jagger, Freddie Mercury was incredible as always. Didn't Phil Collins perform in both the USA and UK - jetting from one to the other. "Rocking all over the World" by Status Quo. Such an exciting event in its day.

    Don't forget Midge Ure (Ultravox) was very involved in the organisation of the event, people tend to remember Geldof because he's one of us - but there was a Scot's Man behind it too.

    So come on - think of the positives that came out of this event. It was almost 30 years ago, incredible to think. There was high unemployment in Ireland, every day of the week one of my mates was leaving the country to find work elsewhere in the world. It was one day that made our lives look pretty damn good in comparison with people starving and dying. Just over a hundred years after our own Famine. That's why we Irish are so generous! J


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  • Registered Users Posts: 4,003 ✭✭✭Busted Flat.


    Judes wrote: »
    I can't believe how much negativity has appeared on this thread. The minute I saw the title I was brought back to 1985, spending half the day in a well known Cork Bar, patrons/friends watching it together on one of the many screens around the room, (donations going on throughout the day) then later heading to the Night Club where I was working and collecting buckets of money for the cause!

    The music may not have always been "pitch perfect" but in fairness the Bands/Artists that appeared were not relaunching their careers - they were top at the time - it was the mid-80s!!!

    Like another poster - I still can't hear the song "Drive" without thinking of those children that video clip was haunting, remembering the performance of "Dancing on the Street" by Bowie/Jagger, Freddie Mercury was incredible as always. Didn't Phil Collins perform in both the USA and UK - jetting from one to the other. "Rocking all over the World" by Status Quo. Such an exciting event in its day.

    Don't forget Midge Ure (Ultravox) was very involved in the organisation of the event, people tend to remember Geldof because he's one of us - but there was a Scot's Man behind it too.

    So come on - think of the positives that came out of this event. It was almost 30 years ago, incredible to think. There was high unemployment in Ireland, every day of the week one of my mates was leaving the country to find work elsewhere in the world. It was one day that made our lives look pretty damn good in comparison with people starving and dying. Just over a hundred years after our own Famine. That's why we Irish are so generous! J

    How did the kids benefit with the blue bottles in their eyes, from people who felt good about the music. Where did the money go.


  • Registered Users Posts: 776 ✭✭✭Judes


    In response to "Busted Flat" above - It takes all sorts of events to financially aid charities albeit concerts, quizes, walks, runs, cake sales, bake-offs, fetes..................... if people didn't participate/attend/view these events and get a bit of enjoyment out of them - then there would be no funds coming in. Think about that!


  • Registered Users Posts: 7,073 ✭✭✭Rubberlegs


    I was 12, and spent the day glued to the tv:). I couldn't wait for George Michael to come on, and screamed like a loony when he finally did:o. I seem to remember Madonna being one of the acts? I also remember everyone being together on the stage at the end, quite emotional that! And feeling so proud that the Irish were donating so much...


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,785 ✭✭✭9959


    spurious wrote: »
    I spent Live Aid on a Polish coal boat in a dump called Barry Island near Cardiff, where I was meeting a Polish friend who had intended coming to Dublin, but due to a dispute of some sort, could not dock in Dublin.

    We ended up going to see the James Bond film that starts with him snowboarding down a mountain to 'California Girls' - 'A view to a kill' I think.

    Most depressing post I've read in a long long time, also extremely funny in a Beckettian way. More please.


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,684 ✭✭✭FatherTed


    As bad as Simon Le Bon was in that bit, Robert Plant wasn't that good. Reunion concert, hot weather in July etc, free concert, I suppose we shouldn't complain:


    In any case, it was a great day, nothing like it since. And yes while some of the money did not arrive to it's intended destination like anything else, it did save lives.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 380 ✭✭Poutbutton


    My friends older sister was getting married the same day. All the neighbors on my street were waiting to cheer the bride off as she left her home with her father. They were all muttering under their breaths wishing she would ever just leave so they could go back in and watch Live Aid.
    I was 15, it was the best thing I had ever seen. I loved Queen and U2 blew me away. The introductions to the acts were as good as the performances by the bands. Yea some of the acts hit bum notes and things were hairy all day but it added to the excitement of such a feat of live music from 2 countries. Whenever there were delays, Mel or Gryff or whoever was MCing adlibbed until things were back on track. Thought the bit where Phil Collins went off on Concorde from playing at Wembley to playing in Philadelphia was just amazing.
    Great memories.
    I'd love to hear from someone who was actually at one of the venues on the day, unforgetable I'd say.


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,234 ✭✭✭PropJoe10


    FatherTed wrote: »
    As bad as Simon Le Bon was in that bit, Robert Plant wasn't that good. Reunion concert, hot weather in July etc, free concert, I suppose we shouldn't complain:


    In any case, it was a great day, nothing like it since. And yes while some of the money did not arrive to it's intended destination like anything else, it did save lives.

    Percy was hoarse and Page was drunk and out of tune. Not The Zep's finest hour by any means, but at the time it made a lot of folks happy and it added greatly to the profile of the event, so fair play to em for doing it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,429 ✭✭✭branie


    I was in Lourdes that day.


  • Registered Users Posts: 21,444 ✭✭✭✭Skid X


    De Bellem wrote: »
    For me so many great performances from Bowie , Clapton , Ferry even Madonna who was very nervous but made it count for her career,

    One interesting song I only noticed years later was Madonna (after her own set) doing backing vocals and playing tambourine for the Thompson Twins on 'Revolution', she looked like she was having the time of her life.



  • Registered Users Posts: 5,885 ✭✭✭OldRio


    I was working in the Fire Service in the North East of England at the time.
    We finished nights at 0900hrs on that morning and then a few days off.

    We had a call to a RTA (Road Traffic Accident) at about 0730hrs.
    Car in collision with a lorry. It seems the people in the car were going to the concert. 1 fatality. A teenage lad. I'll say no more.

    Missed the start of the concert because of sleep. Got drunk as a skunk watching it on TV. Strange day on so many levels.


  • Registered Users Posts: 21,444 ✭✭✭✭Skid X


    A little bit of RTE continuity from Live Aid - Derek Davis interrupts Led Zeppelin to appeal to the P&T to sort out their telephone system, which was on the verge of meltdown.

    I think RTE did a great job that day, they got the right balance between the music and the fundraising



  • Registered Users Posts: 7,101 ✭✭✭Max Headroom


    Remember it well..i was on me back changing the gearbox in me escort (again:rolleyes:) and listening to the concert from the telly in the front room at full volume....ah , better times....:)


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,269 ✭✭✭✭bodhrandude


    I watched the lot too, Queen and U2 were pretty amazing but one of my highlights was the Neil Young set in the US leg, especially his version of Powderfinger.

    If you want to get into it, you got to get out of it. (Hawkwind 1982)



  • Registered Users Posts: 126 ✭✭De Bellem


    As it is 29 years on from LIVE AID tomorrow I thought I would thank all those who responded last year with their memories of the day/ concert
    and to give an open invitation to to anyone else to add theirs if they want

    A book by Dylan Jones came out last autumn called "The Eighties One Day,One Decade" where he tells his story of the eighties through
    the prism of that day at Wembley....." If interested in the Decade /Live AID look it up online for reviews etc


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,339 ✭✭✭Filmer Paradise


    29 years! Christ I'm gettin old.

    Had just done the Leaving a month before & was wondering what to do next.

    Watched the concert with some cousins that we had staying with us that summer.

    Queen were the best act on the day. I'm sure it's difficult for younger people to realise how big they really were at the time.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 12,372 ✭✭✭✭TheDriver


    what a great day to remember. Queen stole the show as did U2 but who could forget poor Paul McCartney and the non working mike........
    UK seemed much better and focused than US though


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 67 ✭✭nigelradion2


    Remember Live Aid very well. Was about 6 years old at the time. I got up to watch cartoons that particularly Saturday morning and came across this music event thing. Didn't know what on earth it was for at the time.

    And who could forget Geldof's infamous line: "Give us your f***ing money!"


  • Registered Users Posts: 21,444 ✭✭✭✭Skid X


    And who could forget Geldof's infamous line: "Give us your f***ing money!"

    I could have sworn he said that, but apparently not. He did swear during the interview but not at that point. Fair play to him, he got the point across.

    http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/the-urban-myth-of-sir-bob-geldofs-271609



  • Registered Users Posts: 10,689 ✭✭✭✭padd b1975


    "Let them know that spring time's coming"


    *Cringe*


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