On 13th July 1985 the transatlantic Live Aid concert in aid of the starving people in Africa raised three times the expected £10 million!
It started at noon in Wembley Stadium in London in bright sunshine with a fanfare for Prince Charles and Princess Diana followed by Status Quo performing Rocking All over the World. Stars were flown in by helicopter into the arena in a line-up that included David Bowie, Wham and royal favourites Dire Straits. At 5pm they linked up with JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, at 10pm they reverted back to Wembley Stadium for the finale until 4am and then briefly linked up with the JFK Stadium again for their finale. The full transatlantic line up can be seen here. The world’s biggest rock festival was organised by Bob Geldof to raise money for famine relief in Africa. TV coverage was co-ordinated at BBC Television Centre and transmitted to over 1.5 billion people in 160 countries which made it the biggest broadcast ever!
“Don’t go to the pub tonight – please stay in and give us your money!” said Bob Geldof … many times …
