Using industry connections, persuasion, and a little bit of trickery, Geldof was able to book more than 50 of the music industry's biggest names, including Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Paul McCartney, The Who, Bob Dylan, U2, and Madonna. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia to host the concert on two continents. Geldof and company secured both Wembley Stadium in London and John F. By the first of these metrics, sheer numbers, Live Aid was an overwhelming triumph. To measure the success of Live Aid, one needs to consider three different things: numerical data, entertainment value, and overall impact. Georges De Keerle/Hulton Archive/Getty Images Others question the motives and effectiveness of a bunch of wealthy celebrities-most of them white-trying to swoop in and save Africa.ĭavid Bowie performing at the Live Aid concert in London on July 13, 1985. To some, it was a beautiful moment of idealism and compassion. Much has been said and written about Live Aid over the last 35 years. So he took the next logical step and planned a concert. At least not if the Band Aid organization was going to buy a fleet of trucks to move food and supplies to Ethiopians in need, as Geldof hoped. 1 on the UK charts and raised more than $28 million for the cause. The single, which was released on December 3, 1984, was credited to Band Aid-an amalgamation of the day’s biggest pop stars, including George Michael, Boy George, and Bono. Geldof enlisted his buddy Midge Ure, the frontman of the band Ultravox, to help him write and record “ Do They Know It’s Christmas” just a few weeks later. His first thought was to make a charity single. Geldof was spurred to philanthropic action after seeing a BBC report in October 1984 that featured footage of starving children. It was the brainchild of Bob Geldof, leader of the Irish new wave band The Boomtown Rats. Live Aid, which took place on Jfor a global audience of 1.9 billion people, was a massive, bicontinental pop concert created to raise money for Ethiopian famine relief. Bono performing with U2 at the Live Aid charity concert in London in 1985.

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