The Legacy of Live Aid: Bob Geldof Reflects on the Concert’s Impact
Bob Geldof is shedding light on the real story behind the iconic Live Aid concert that took place 40 years ago. In a recent interview, he clarified a widely held belief about the event’s success.
Geldof, who led the effort to organize Live Aid after being moved by a BBC report on the Ethiopian famine, highlighted that it was David Bowie’s performance that initially sparked the outpouring of donations, rather than Freddie Mercury’s legendary set with Queen. The concert, held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, ultimately raised over $140 million to help combat the crisis in Ethiopia.
In his conversation with The Times, Geldof recounted how the concert came to be. “Watching the report was a moment of awakening for me,” he explained. Following his efforts with the Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in late 1984, he collaborated with Scottish artist Midge Ure to bring together a stellar lineup for Live Aid, featuring the likes of U2, Elton John, and The Who.
Many remember Queen’s performance as one of the concert’s highlights, especially with Freddie Mercury’s charismatic stage presence. However, during his interview, Geldof emphasized that the movie portrayal of events wasn’t entirely accurate. “The movie isn’t right. Queen were completely, utterly brilliant. But the telephone lines collapsed after David Bowie performed,” he stated.
Geldof shared a revealing moment when he showed Bowie disturbing footage from the CBC about the Ethiopian famine, saying, “David was crying and said he would cut a song from his set to show the CBC report instead.” This heartfelt decision underscored the urgency of the situation and rallied the audience.
While Bowie’s impact was significant, Gelder acknowledged that Mercury and Queen’s performance was still exceptional. “They just nailed it,” he reflected, emphasizing that they energized the crowd during a crucial moment in the concert.
The global reach of Live Aid, viewed by an estimated 1.5 billion people across over 150 countries, was a triumph of music and humanitarian spirit. With its success, the initiative not only raised funds but also paved the way for future charitable concerts, making a lasting impact in the fight against poverty.
