Dave Sweetmore's blog - Thursday 3rd July 2025

They have become iconic sentences which people will remember forever, words which most people will always associate with the opening lines to one of the most important and unique events in world history, Live Aid. 

When Richard Skinner announced to the world “It’s twelve o’clock in London; it’s seven o’clock in Philadelphia. This is Live Aid”, followed by Tommy Vance with the words “And now, to start off sixteen hours of Live Aid, would you welcome, Status Quo!”, a moment was made which will never be repeated, and will live in every history book forever. 

We are just over a week away from the 40th anniversary of that day, a day which would become one of the biggest events in musical history. On Saturday July 13th , 1985, over 1.9 Billion people around the world watched the biggest joint fundraising concerts ever, one taking place at Wembley Stadium in London, the other at the John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. 72,000 people were at Wembley Stadium, and 89,000 people were at the John F Kennedy Stadium. The concerts were broadcast in over 150 countries, with over 70 of the world’s biggest bands and artists performing for over 16 hours in a live show which was broadcast using 13 military satellites. 

Performing in Philadelphia were acts including Duran Duran, Crosby Stills and Nash, The Pretenders, Madonna, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, Led Zeppelin, and so many more. 

Here in the UK, following an opening of the Royal Salute and God Save The Queen by the Coldstream Guards, the first band to take to the stage and open the event were Status Quo. Opening with ‘Rockin’ All Over The World’, ‘Caroline’ and ‘Don’t Waste My Time’, the legendary rock band, who were the perfect opener, were followed by the likes of David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Paul Weller, The Who, Paul Young, Spandau Ballet, and so many more, including Queen, whose 21 minute performance became one of the most talked about performances of all time, and has often been called the band’s greatest-ever performance. The event followed the success of 1984’s Christmas charity single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’, performed by the ultimate supergroup Band Aid, and aimed to raise money and awareness for famine relief in Ethiopia, which had devastating food shortages which had been brought to the public’s attention by news reports. 

Thanks to Live Aid and Band Aid, thousands of deaths were prevented in Ethiopia. Over 40 million pounds was raised, which is the equivalent of over 100 million pounds in today’s money. Brought together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Live Aid became one of the biggest-ever moments in history. So keen to get the ultimate lineup, Geldof had told media of the bands and artists performing before many were even asked. 

Many true stories came from the performance which only furthered its legacy as a historic event, including Bob Geldof having to hitchhike home after the gig finished since there were no taxis left; Pete Townsend smashing the onstage light that told his band - The Who - that their time was up on stage, and playing on; Elton John setting up a barbecue backstage for the bands; and The Pretenders having to rehearse for the event in a nearby pub as all the studios had been booked. 

This year, a Live Aid musical, named ‘Just For One Day’, is being performed at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre. Reviews for the show have been amazing, and I really hope it tours and comes to Manchester! 

Live Aid’s 40th anniversary will no doubt be celebrated all around the world, including at Whittles Live Music Venue in Oldham, where they are holding a ‘Live Aid at 40’ day. The event will take place next Saturday, July 12th, with a huge lineup including tributes to Status Quo, The Who, Queen, U2, Boy George, Simple Minds and Spandau Ballet, all acts who appeared at the original Live Aid show. 

Tickets for this unique event are available from the venue website: https://whittlesoldham.com/gigs/ 

40 Years on from Live Aid, we will always talk about that one day, a music event which will never be forgotten. Music is power.