July 13, 1985 – July 13, 2025
It was the day the world came together—two stages, one cause, and an unforgettable lineup of some of the biggest names in music history. Today marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the legendary benefit concert held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, broadcast to over 1.5 billion people across 150 countries.
Here at Burning the Ground, where the pulse of the ’80s and early ’90s still burns strong, we’d be remiss not to honor this milestone. Live Aid wasn’t just a concert—it was the most ambitious global music event the world had ever seen, a high-water mark for the power of pop to unite, heal, and inspire.
🔥 The Soundtrack of a Generation
Live Aid featured a who’s who of Burning the Ground favorites:
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Duran Duran (in what would be their last performance with the original lineup for nearly two decades)
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Spandau Ballet, bringing that New Romantic sheen to the Wembley crowd
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Paul Young, fresh off a string of soulful hits
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Howard Jones, performing solo with just his keyboard and a heartfelt message
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Nik Kershaw, The Style Council, Ultravox, Elvis Costello—so many core artists of the 12” era
And of course, Queen, whose 20-minute set at Wembley is still considered one of the greatest live performances of all time. Freddie Mercury didn’t just command the stage—he owned the planet that day.
Let’s not forget Phil Collins, who famously performed in London, hopped on the Concorde, and played again in Philly, joining Led Zeppelin for a brief and chaotic reunion.
🎚️ From the Mixing Desk to the World Stage
As fans of extended remixes and rare pressings, we often celebrate the studio magic that turned radio hits into dancefloor epics. But Live Aid was raw, immediate, and live—proof that the same artists whose 12″ singles we obsess over could captivate millions with just a mic, a band, and a cause.
There were no click tracks, no autotune, no second takes. Just talent, heart, and a sense that this meant something.
🌍 A Day That Changed Everything
Live Aid raised over $125 million for famine relief in Ethiopia and launched a new era of artist-led activism. More importantly, it left a lasting impact on a generation of fans—many of whom first discovered their favorite acts through that very broadcast.
Whether you taped it off MTV, bought the Live Aid VHS box set, or just remember the goosebumps when the Wembley crowd clapped in perfect time during “Radio Ga Ga,” this event lives in our bones.
💿 On This Day, 40 Years Ago…
We danced in stadiums and cried in our living rooms. We saw what music could do—not just to entertain, but to awaken. Here’s to Live Aid, the day the music did matter.
Keep the fire burning,
—Paul / Burning the Ground
The day the world stopped to listen to the best music with the best artists of the moment
It was so epic. Just being 14 at the time. Still remembering, can’t help smiling.
What really strikes me is the poster and the list of legends there. It is amazing that 40 years later we are lucky enough to have most of these people still alive making music, a testament of the youth and vitality of the time: even the dinosaurs were no more than 20-23 years into their careers. Imagine that now, a list like that with artists that have become legacy legends no later than 2002 and a roster of culturally relevant new artists that cross age boundaries beyond niche genres. It is not that music is dead now, but in 1985,… Read more »
Like everyone else here, I was obsessed with Live Aid, watching it at my relatives’ house all day. All these years later, I’m still fascinated by it, but I also have ways to feed that interest—I co-wrote a massive behind-the-scenes article about how the show was staged (I wrote about the US half; my co-writer did the UK half). We interviewed sound engineers, artists (Midge Ure and Howard Jones) and more, and got some great stories which I haven’t seen elsewhere. If you want to take a look, you can find them at https://www.mixonline.com/live-sound/inside-the-live-sound-of-live-aid-part-1-london
Incredible article Clive!! It really took me behind the scenes and backstage. I really appreciate you sharing it here!!
First, thank you for this great tribute Paul! You really nailed the impact of that day. Second, thank you to the BTG community for sharing your incredible stories. Live Aid was the highlight of the greatest summer of my life. For me Live Aid wasn’t just that day. It was such a momentous event… a cultural-defining milestone where everything leads to and from. After the hype of The Goonies and Back To The Future, the upcoming Live Aid was all the rage at summer camp. All our favorite bands sharing the stage(s), the first global satellite broadcast, just the sheer… Read more »
Live Aid was truly a significantly memorable day for me too. I was 27, living in Santa Barbara, and spent the entire day watching the concerts and recording them on to multiple VHS tapes. It was a dream come true — and something that I thought would never happen — when the concerts were finally released on disc in 2004. Shame on Led Zeppelin, Santana, Rick Springfield, the Four Tops, the Hooters, the Power Station, Billy Ocean and Kool and the Gang and their labels for not allowing their performances to be released on disc. Also, I would have loved… Read more »
Boy, we could sure use another day like that these days, where everyone comes together in a unified effort for good…..
So true, Raymond. Live Aid was such a powerful reminder of what can happen when people come together for something bigger than themselves. It wasn’t perfect, but the unity, heart, and sheer will to make a difference were unforgettable. We could definitely use that kind of collective spirit again today.
I got up early that morning and watched MTV the entire day. I videotaped the acts I liked but didn’t record the entire day, much to my later disappointment. It was truly the greatest musical event that I was able to witness as it happened, albeit on TV and not in person. It showcased so many of my very favorite artists at the time.
I did the same thing, David—got up early that morning and had MTV on all day. I recorded the acts I loved, but not the entire broadcast… something I definitely regretted later! Still, it was truly the greatest musical event I’ve ever witnessed live, even if it was through a TV screen. So many of my favorite artists all in one day—it was unforgettable.
Even though Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Tears For Fears were listed on the poster, they were no shows at the Philly concert. Madonna (in a legendary performance), Joan Baez, The Beach Boys, Ashford & Simpson, Teddy Pendergrass, all performed but were NOT listed.
Great point, jbird! It’s wild how many lineup shifts happened between the poster and the actual day. I remember being bummed that Tears for Fears didn’t play, especially since they were on fire in ’85. But wow—what a surprise lineup we did get! Madonna’s set was iconic, and seeing legends like Joan Baez, Teddy Pendergrass, and Ashford & Simpson take the stage was unforgettable. Definitely added to the magic and unpredictability of the day.
Thank you for pointing that out! When I saw Stevie Wonder on the poster I was like … I don’t remember him!
Yes! I was glued to the radio all day and recorded every minute on TDK 90 minute tapes I still have. I don’t recall even seeing it on TV – for me it was all about the radio broadcast. A great memory!!
That’s awesome, Grant! I love that you captured the whole day on TDK tapes—those were gold back then. There was something really special about experiencing it through the radio too… it made it feel even more intimate and immediate. Amazing that you still have those tapes—what a time capsule! Thanks for sharing such a great memory.
Here are my memories of Live Aid. I apoligise if I waffle on a bit, but I have been wanting to get my memories down for a while. So, I fully understand if you only use certain bits. Like many people it was the Band Aid single that got me interested just before Christmas 1984. I think I heard about it on the Monday morning after it was recorded. This, or course, meant I had a great interest when Geldof made his Live Aid announcement in early 1985. I kinda knew from the get-go that this would be one of the greatest events in pop… Read more »
Keith, this is absolutely incredible—thank you so much for taking the time to share your story. Not only is it beautifully told, but the care and passion you poured into capturing Live Aid is genuinely inspiring. Choosing to stay home so you could preserve the day properly, persuading your mum to rent a stereo VHS recorder, timing the tapes with a stopwatch… you were a true archivist before most of us even knew what that meant! It’s amazing that you’ve held onto those original recordings all these years and have continued to improve them with each technological advancement. The fact… Read more »
Your welcome and thanks for your kind words. I kinda knew Live Aid would be “a biggie” but not as big as it turned out. Great that you enjoyed reading my story..
I was very lucky to be at the Wembley show, mainly as a Bowie fan, but is was an entire day of emotion after emotion that despite hundreds of subsequent gigs still stands out as something very special.
Wow, Liam—what an incredible experience to have been there in person at Wembley. As a Bowie fan, that must’ve been unforgettable, especially with “Heroes” echoing through that massive crowd. You really witnessed history that day. It’s amazing how one event, even decades and hundreds of gigs later, can still stand apart like that. Thanks so much for sharing your memory—it’s exactly the kind of passion and perspective that keeps the spirit of Live Aid alive 40 years on.
I was also there and very lucky indeed.
I won a ticket (and the travel) from a french radio.
I was just 18 and it was my first concert and it will remain obviously the best…
One funny fact is that until the DVD release, I didn’t know that David Gilmour (from Pink Floyd) was playing on stage with Bryan Ferry…
Such memories!! Thank you, Paul, for this post! What a great time in our lives. The whole world needs a reminder of what a day like this could bring.
Jeff
Thank you, Jeff! You’re so right—what a time that was. Live Aid really showed what the world could do when music, heart, and purpose came together. I’m honored to help keep those memories alive. Here’s to the power of music—and to never forgetting what a single day like that can mean.
I still have multiple cassettes made off the live broadcast! Sad a complete performances set has never been issued. Oh… and the enamel pin from my donation!!! Still have it! Fave memory is Madonna being joined by the Thompson Twins!
That’s amazing, ING! I love that you still have the cassettes and the enamel pin—that’s true dedication! Totally agree, it’s a shame the full performances have never been properly released, especially with so many standout moments like Madonna with the Thompson Twins. That collab was pure mid-’80s magic. Thanks so much for sharing—those personal touches are what make this anniversary even more special!
i was 13 and i still have the cassette tape, that i recorded parallel to watching the show on TV the whole day long. Left an impression on so many, i guess. What a wonderful time.
That’s awesome, Buzz—13 years old and already smart enough to hit record! Love that you still have the cassette, too. It really did leave a lasting impression on so many of us. There was something truly magical about that day—music, hope, and unity all wrapped into one unforgettable moment. Thanks for sharing your memory!
We need a massive shift back to when people wanted to help others, and did what they could to make a difference.
Couldn’t agree more, Jay. Live Aid was proof that when people come together with heart and purpose, real change can happen. It feels like the world could use that kind of spirit again—selfless, unifying, and driven by hope. Here’s to remembering…and maybe even reigniting that fire.
Brilliant, Paul. It was a once in a lifetime happening. I was 17 and my eyes and ears were fixed on the small 4:3 television.
I kind of relived that yesterday in part when the BBC rebroadcast several hours of the show an television. I saw Sting, Phil Collins, Nik Kershaw, Howard Jones, Sade, Spandau Ballet and so many more. It was so great. 🥰
Thank you so much! I love that you got to relive it yesterday through the BBC rebroadcast—what a gift to see all those incredible performances again. Watching it at 17 must’ve been electric, glued to that 4:3 screen while the whole world tuned in together. Sting, Nik, Howard, Sade… such a dream lineup. Truly a once-in-a-lifetime moment that still gives chills 40 years later.