Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
On July 13th, 1985, rock stars volunteered to perform in two venues with the concerts broadcast internationally: Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. I remember watching bits of the concert, especially during the evening, but because I missed many of the acts, I asked my friends at Netflix to send me the DVDs of the concert.
Other countries, such as Australia and Germany, also held concerts. The event drew one of the largest audiences ever. Wikipedia states: "An estimated global audience of 1.9 billion, across 150 nations, watched the live broadcast."
Bob Geldof of Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure of Ultravox responded to a BBC report about people starving in Ethopia to create a fundraising single called "Do They Know It's Christmas?" Rock stars in the U.S. responded with their own charitable effort: "We Are the World."
Boy George of Culture Club came up with the idea to hold a concert. Geldof took up the cause and ran with it.
Live Aid raised about $284 million dollars.
As I enjoy the DVDs of the concert, I'm struck by two eighties fashion dos that are probably now don'ts:
1. Big Hair
 |
| Bob Geldof |
 |
| Bono of U2 |
 |
| George Michael See, it wasn't just a lot of hair. It tended to be feathered. |
 |
| Spandau Ballet qualified in the feathered hair and baggy clothes categories. |
 |
| Madonna seemed surprisingly relaxed. I don't think she'd taken over the world yet. It's a lot of responsibility. |
And now let's look at my favorite baggy suit of the day. Kenny Loggins sang Footlose while wearing what appeared to be a gray and black print on white. It looks a lot like flannel jammies.
Do you have any special memories of Live Aid?
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Hi Janie - I'd just arrived in the UK and so watched what I could without being rude .. as we were deprived of British TV in South Africa ... the concept certainly caught the imagination ... and I sincerely hope has done some good ... glad to see you posting - look after yourself - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI've never been sure how much good all that money did. I don't know if it made its way to Ethiopia.
DeleteIt definitely sounds like a wonderful concert. Unfortunately,I was still in diapers back then. It supported a good cause.
ReplyDeleteOh, you are a young one. Favorite Young Man was five. He does not remember Live Aid.
DeleteI do remember Live Aid. "Do They Know It's Christmas?" made a stronger impression on me, mainly because of it's condescending tone-deafness. There's just such an imperialistic notion to demanding all cultures recognize Christmas.
ReplyDeleteIs what Bono is sporting in that picture a mullet? Because of all the feathering, I really can't tell if it is shorter in the front than it is in the back. It's quite the sculpture.
I, too, wonder about Bono's hair. It looks rather mullet-like to me.
DeleteI remember Live Aid very well, dear Janie. When I was involved as a participant and trainer in the motivational seminar movement of the 80s we used "We Are the World" as one of our "anchor songs." I used the song in a 60 minute documentary that I shot and produced following one of our week long seminar events. My favorite part of that recording is the voice of Ray Charles. It still gives me goosebumps when I hear it.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Shady and I are now watching the entire Thirty-Something series on Hallmark's "Feeln" channel. The series made its debut in 1987 and the nicely restored HD picture quality gives you a good look at the clothing and hair styles of the period.
Happy Monday, dear friend Janie!
I watched a few episodes of Thirty-Something when it was a new show. It was painful for me because I stayed at home with my children, and, thus, automatically became a non-entity. I've often wondered about trying to watch it now that I know I am Someone.
DeleteI don't actually remember live aid (too young, sorry), but i definitely remember HEARING about live aid. That counts, right?
ReplyDeleteOf course it counts.
DeleteI remember that Bob Dylan said something to the effect there should be a live aid for farmers, and Willie Nelson and John Cougar Mellancamp went on to make the Farm Aid concerts that I think still go on.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Farm Aid is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2015, in Chicago.
DeleteI've heard of it but I can't recall any details.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember what I ate for supper.
DeleteI remember! I must have watched the entire concert. I ordered a t-shirt and wore it for years.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool.
DeleteI remember it like it was yesterday. I don't think it was yesterday. I spent all day in front of our TV set. I remember thinking, man Madonna sure doesn't know how to sing... This is the one I really loved: CLICK!
ReplyDeleteIt was not yesterday. Madonna was pretty bad. She sang the same song over and over, including the same choreographed moves over and over. For someone who was supposed to have trained as a dancer, I've never been impressed by her dancing. I love the clip of Mick.
DeleteNo special memories, but surely enjoyed your photos and story. Been a long time, and I've slept since then!
ReplyDeleteYou must wake up from time to time to write a post.
DeleteI vaguely recall hearing something about this. Not when it happened because I wasn't born yet, but still. All that 80s fashion gets me haha
ReplyDeleteAh, to be so young. The best is yet to come.
DeleteWe have the album at the library! I wasn't even a thought in 1985. I think my parents began dating then or in 1986 - they were married in 1987 and I was born in 1989. I feel young. :\
ReplyDeleteOh, you were a thought. Your parents just weren't thinking about you at the same time yet.
DeleteHi human, Janie,
ReplyDeleteMy human remembers watching Live Aid in Langley, British Columbia, Canada. His best memory was that he reckons that Queen really were pawesome. And Phil Collins doing gigs in London and Philadelphia was quite something. Back when Concord was still flying.
I heard a rumour that the pawmoters of Woodstock and Live Aid are going to do a collaboration concert named , "LiveStock!" Arf!
Pawsitive wishes and doggy kisses,
Penny xx
Queen was pawesome as could be. Yes, Phil Collins played both concerts by flying on the Concord. What happened to the Concord?
DeleteConcord was taken out of commission due to the spiralling costs of running it.
DeleteAhh the memories. I had moved out from my parent's home and was living in a house with 3 guys-one who is still a great friend and whom I just got off the phone with. I remember trying to watch this all the way through. It was quite spectacular-hair and all. I think I will take the baggy clothes to the "I can see everything through those tight jeans" look.
ReplyDeleteThe baggy clothes are okay as long as they don't fall down.
DeleteI am from Philadelphia and got in to a HUGE fight with my parents because they wouldn't let me go to the concert! I remember doing the delicate balancing act of enjoying the show on TV while at the same time making sure my parents knew I was still mad at them.
ReplyDeleteDid you ever forgive them? (I know you did, I think.) Oi! the pain of being in Philadelphia and not being allowed to go to such a concert. When Favorite Young Man graduated from high school our gift to him was tickets for a concert to free Tibet (sorry, I can't remember the exact name) that was in Washington, D.C. He had a great time.
DeleteI totally remember Live Aid - what about Hands Across America?
ReplyDeleteThe vibe of "we can help others" is sorely missing. It's sort of turned into "Hey, YOU can help others!" If we'd all just focus on what we are doing and can do, the world would be a better place. The blame game is getting soooooo old.
Yes, I remember Hands Across America. I admit I didn't participate. I don't know where I was.
Delete