1985 – Live Aid
Live Aid was, on the face of it, impossible. The technology for the sort of hook ups that were needed was unreliable. And the idea that so many musicians could put aside their egos, for any cause no matter how good, seemed more than mildly implausible.
But it did come together. At two major concerts in London and Philadelphia, and several smaller ones in Sydney, Moscow, Cologne and The Hague, almost every musician currently working – and several who weren’t – played. Several bands reunited especially for the effort.
The concerts were broadcast around the world to an estimated audience of 400 million people, in addition to the more than 200,000 who attended the various concerts. A total of 150 million British pounds were raised directly by the concerts.
Referenced in:
The Tide Is Turning – Roger Waters
Also notable was Phil Collins performing in two continents on the same day.
Performing earlier in the Wembley line-up, then taking a Concorde flight to Los Angeles to perform in the American leg of the concert.
Absolutely. There’s someone who really got into the spirit of it