Live Aid this week 30 years ago - 13th July 1985

walkingshadow · 10-07-2015 01:16PM

Thank goodness Live Aid ended all hunger in the world. Imagine, before 1985, some people in this world didn't have enough food to eat.

keano_afc · 10-07-2015 02:19PM

It was great, all that money really helped eradicate hunger in Africa.

Oh, wait...

DColeman · 10-07-2015 04:17PM

The music was gash back then.

The younger generation will be glad they avoided it, awful musical generation. It only just goes to prove how superior the 21st century music scene is.

Harry Palmr · 10-07-2015 04:20PM

What I remember was that it was raining here and gloriously sunny in London :mad:

The other thing is that it turned out to be a brilliant wheeze for boosting album sales. Pretty much every U2 and Queen platter went back in the charts the following week. Que much controversy about who was gaining from this beano.

Not too mention that it inspired Self Aid.

A dark day indeed! :pac:

bnt · 10-07-2015 04:52PM

I's say Band Aid & Live Aid, and other aid to the region, have worked well enough. Infant mortality has dropped from ~ 140 per 1000 births to 72 in 2005-2010, while the birth rate is dropping slowly. The total population of Ethiopia was ~41 million in 1985 and is projected to reach ~ 92 million this year.

seenitall · 10-07-2015 05:16PM

I was 11 and just "getting into" pop-music as teens/pre-teens do. Watched it, loved it, Queen was definitely the most memorable part of it. Freddy Mercury played that crowd like a top class conductor with an orchestra in awe. What a stage presence, and what a voice.

I still watch parts of it on YouTube when I've nothing better to do; I love especially Sting's eerie rendition of Every Breath You Take, with Phil Collins clapping along in the background, or also Eric Clapton singularly performing Layla at such a fast pace and in a kind of a spasm, as if he's only 5 minutes left to live (with Phil Collins on drums, the hardworking man).

Two fireballs of uninhibited sexuality that were Tina Turner and Mick Jagger performing State of Shock together.

The 1992 Freddy Mercury Tribute concert was also something to behold. I pity anyone who wasn't young then... :cool:

Enjoy Heroin Responsibly · 10-07-2015 05:19PM

walkingshadow wrote: »

Thank goodness Live Aid ended all hunger in the world. Imagine, before 1985, some people in this world didn't have enough food to eat.

efb wrote: »

Glad that fixed the Ethiopian hunger problem

keano_afc wrote: »

It was great, all that money really helped eradicate hunger in Africa.

Oh, wait...

Funny I must have missed the bit where anybody at the time claimed it would ?

Cold War Kid · 10-07-2015 05:37PM

Ah the auld "What they did didn't solve the hunger problem fully" in relation to something at least being done... by people who did zero about it themselves.

I was seven and had no interest - bunch of dinosaurs to me. Although I adored Madonna at the time, however I think it was only the Wembley one on TV for us - she was in Philly. I did love a bitta Nik Kershaw too, but I was only aware of the Quos and Queens and Stones and Bowies, who were just... zzzzzzzzz to me at the time (boy did I change my attitude later on; well, in relation to Bowie and the Stones anyway).

I remember the day quite well though. From what I recall, there were no ads for the duration of the event, just information films about the situation in Ethiopia.

cajonlardo · 10-07-2015 05:39PM

I lived in a tiny bedsit back then.
I had a radio cassette recorder and was recording a load of stuff from the concert when a mate called and wouldn't leave me in peace. Kept at me to go into town. In a nightclub I met the woman I am still happily married to.
Good man Geldof.

10-07-2015 05:40PM

Nik Kershaw forgot the words and sang the same lines again in Wouldn't it be Good.

The montage of photos shown during the Cars "Drive" was the bit I remember most.

ongarboy · 10-07-2015 05:43PM

Zaph wrote: »

The thing about music in general, and chart music in particular, is that at some point in time everyone decides that the current music is crap and what they listened to when they were younger was far better. Personally I think that almost all of what passes for chart music these days is an affront to my ears, but my parents probably thought the same of what was in the charts when I was younger.

Agreed. The 80s are far and away my favourite decade for music but I was watching a random Top of the Pops episode from 1984 or 86 the other day (Youtube has 100s of TOTP episodes) and there was a fierce amount of ****e in the charts back then as well as demonstrated by the acts that were on the episode I watched - most I never heard of! I think we sometimes look back at the best songs, the ones that are still played today etc and combined with nostalgia, we put the era on an artificial pedestal as regards music. Saying that, I do think more of "my type" of music was present back then. Synthesizer beats rock!!:)

Giving away my age here but I was 10 when Live Aid was on and remember fairly clearly the broadcast. I wouldn't have been as familiar with many of the acts then as I am of them now. I remember being enthralled by the satellite simulcast between Wembley and Philadelphia seeming so technologically advanced and Phil Collins flying between the two cities to perform at both concerts being so cool.

Galwayguy35 · 10-07-2015 05:45PM

DColeman wrote: »

The music was gash back then.

The younger generation will be glad they avoided it, awful musical generation. It only just goes to prove how superior the 21st century music scene is.

Not half as "gash" as what you posted.

I remember Queen playing that day and nobody these days would even come close to having a lead singer like Freddie Mercury.

Cold War Kid · 10-07-2015 05:46PM

Thought the main acts apart from U2 were a bunch of seriously auld ****ers who needed to make way for the younger talent coming through.
I'm now nearly in the same age group. D'oh.

Cold War Kid · 10-07-2015 05:47PM

cajonlardo wrote: »

I lived in a tiny bedsit back then.
I had a radio cassette recorder and was recording a load of stuff from the concert when a mate called and wouldn't leave me in peace. Kept at me to go into town. In a nightclub I met the woman I am still happily married to.
Good man Geldof.

Ah fantastic!

bodhrandude · 10-07-2015 06:27PM

Neil Young and Crazy Horse done a great set on the American end, I also remember George Thorogood & the Destroyers done a brilliant set too.

Mesrine65 · 10-07-2015 06:36PM

KungPao · 10-07-2015 08:53PM

DColeman wrote: »

The music was gash back then.

The younger generation will be glad they avoided it, awful musical generation. It only just goes to prove how superior the 21st century music scene is.

Could you provide us with examples of contemporary music you like that trumps the "gash" of the '80s?

Wacker The Attacker · 10-07-2015 09:04PM

KungPao wrote: »

Could you provide us with examples of contemporary music you like that trumps the "gash" of the '80s?

Havent you heard. Taylor Swift and one direction trump bowie, the police, the stones, queen, u2, dire straits etc

il gatto · 10-07-2015 09:40PM

DColeman wrote: »

The music was gash back then.

The younger generation will be glad they avoided it, awful musical generation. It only just goes to prove how superior the 21st century music scene is.

I suppose. I mean all those classic albums of the last 10 years like................um.
When this era starts releasing the likes of Rubber Soul, Exile on Main Street, The Queen is Dead, The Bends, Ziggy Stardust, Appetite for Destruction, Led Zep 2, Electic Ladyland, Darkness on the Edge of Town etc. etc. etc. you might have a point. Otherwise you need to stop talking and grow some ears.

BrianD3 · 10-07-2015 11:11PM

I was 7 and too young to be into music - but I do have some vague memories of the event being on TV. 10 years later in 1995 several hours of it was shown on TV in an anniversary special which was good, I have some of that programme on VHS tape.

One of my favourite performances is Bowie's. Check out the blonde backing singer - her name is Tessa Niles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJxOL_eFGEk

30 years ago, a long time. One thing I was thinking about recently was who of those involved have died since. Freddie Mercury, Carl Wilson, John Entwistle, a couple of members of The Four Tops, Benjamin Orr of The Cars, Albert Collins (played with George Thorogood and was introduced as "the master of the telecaster") probably others too. Also of the presenters, Mike Smith and Mel Smith are dead as is Bill Graham who was killed in a helicopter crash in 1991.

boodiebhoy · 10-07-2015 11:28PM

It also led on to farm aid in the US

Beasty · 10-07-2015 11:49PM

11 July 1985 - did my last ever exam
12 July 1985 - got a train down to London
13 July 1985 - nipped over to Wembley Stadium - smuggled my camera in and took over 500 photos that day! Was only about 20 metres away from the stage until Elton John was on - moved away and got a few shots of McCartney and then the whole ensemble singing "It's Christmas Time ...."
Then headed out for the last train back to Leeds.

I remember a lot of what went on that day. Even had a Scottish guy next to me who I sent some photos to but have never been in touch with, but still remember his name.

It was very hot and staying in the one place for 12 hours was certainly exhausting, but the memories will stay with me

KungPao · 11-07-2015 12:00AM

Wacker The Attacker wrote: »

Havent you heard. Taylor Swift and one direction trump bowie, the police, the stones, queen, u2, dire straits etc

Hey! Dont you diss 1D, dey really speak to me. dey know me. dey dont even care about the money lol ♡ xxx

xxx :ppppp

11-07-2015 12:19AM

I remember it was a really hot day. all the windows open and the TV blaring. Could hear the music from the neighbours houses too. Biggest memories were Queen and Phil Collins.

At school on the Monday my drama teacher was still buzzing as she went to Wembley stadium.

Titzon Toast · 11-07-2015 12:20AM

I remember watching it as a 5 year old, even then it seemed amazing to me.
I'm getting old.

il gatto · 11-07-2015 12:22AM

Beasty wrote: »

11 July 1985 - did my last ever exam
12 July 1985 - got a train down to London
13 July 1985 - nipped over to Wembley Stadium - smuggled my camera in and took over 500 photos that day! Was only about 20 metres away from the stage until Elton John was on - moved away and got a few shots of McCartney and then the whole ensemble singing "It's Christmas Time ...."
Then headed out for the last train back to Leeds.

I remember a lot of what went on that day. Even had a Scottish guy next to me who I sent some photos to but have never been in touch with, but still remember his name.

It was very hot and staying in the one place for 12 hours was certainly exhausting, but the memories will stay with me

You were there when history was made. Like being at Woodstock a generation earlier.

efb · 11-07-2015 01:29AM

Enjoy Heroin Responsibly wrote: »

Funny I must have missed the bit where anybody at the time claimed it would ?

It achieved nothing, the money was essentially squandered.

It made Queen v popular gave Bob Geldof an unneeded ego boost and wasted the conscience of Westerners.

tigerboon · 11-07-2015 01:52AM

DColeman wrote: »

The music was gash back then.

The younger generation will be glad they avoided it, awful musical generation. It only just goes to prove how superior the 21st century music scene is.

There was an awful lot of ****e back then. I was 13 and thought it was rubbish. Don't know if you could say music now is much better. Found lately I am listening to much older stuff.

4zn76tysfajdxp · 11-07-2015 01:59AM

Strawberry Milkshake wrote: »

At school on the Monday my drama teacher was still buzzing as she went to Wembley stadium.

You went to school in the middle of July?

Cold War Kid · 11-07-2015 02:13AM

Draven Magnificent Ring wrote: »

You went to school in the middle of July?

UK based I'd say. They said it was really sunny on the day too, which it wasn't here (it was dull and drizzly) but was over there.

Live Aid this week 30 years ago - 13th July 1985

Comments