Good decision by the BBC to show extended highlights of live aid, both from Wembley and Philadelphia.
It took place 49 years ago today.
Watched it (on and off) from the start, and it was interesting to see a snapshot of 1985 and many of the big name artists from that era. The smell of hairspray must have been overwhelming backstage.
I’ve never been a fan of U2, but I can see now that they were a decent stadium rock act (if that’s your thing). I’d accidentally caught their first gig in England when they supported Dolly Mixture at the Moonlight Club, and thought they were a bit of a rock throwback.
I remember at the time being very impressed by Queen, a band whose first couple of singles I’d liked, but who had become very unfashionable by 1985. Some performer was Freddie Mercury, and what a voice. Speaking of voices, George Michael could sing a bit too.
David Bowie’s Heroes was another highlight, as was my mate Matthew playing bass with him. I was extremely envious.
Poor old Adam Ant wasn’t great. I think he’d lost his way after the Prince Charming era. And I wasn’t keen on fab Macca’s rendition of Let it Be. I think in later years he realised Hey Jude was a much better festival anthem/show stopper. He tried to jazz up Let It Be with jangly piano playing, but for me it didn’t work.
it was also a reminder of a time when the audience just watched the acts, rather than trying to film them.
[PS Admin, not sure this is in the right category, but couldn’t see another non football category)
Comments
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.
We were out last night, so recorded the BBC shows and look forward to watching them later.
Thought it was excellent
But to me, as an 18 year old kid who had only recently got into Zep, seeing them play Stairway to Heaven was immense.
The line up was not just A list but they were on the top of the games. Compare that to Rod at Glasto the other week. Don't get me wrong I did still enjoy it but Live Aid was on a different level.
It is now in time terms as far away from us as the Second World War was from that day.That really concentrates the mind
So I camped in front of the tele with my Dad coming in from the garden every now & then complaining ‘is it still on?’
My then boyfriend had the hump because I wouldn’t walk to his house to watch it lol
I was grateful when they went to America so I could visit the loo, I thought their line up was shit lol
Freddie Mercury had to have to best voice ever in rock music (although the lead singer of Puressence is underrated).
U2 were brilliant live - I’ve seen them twice. They also made some of the greatest rock albums ever. Their problem has been carrying on 20 years too long.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.
Quo did their bit and kicked it off in style, but acts like Sade, Style Council, Nik Kershaw, Spandau just looked a bit lost in a big stadium environment. I would've included Ultravox in that too previously, but watching them back yesterday I was actually quite impressed with them.
U2 were good and a glimpse of things to come - no question - and I thought Paul Young did much better than I remember (considering he basically just sang cover versions).
Then you had Dire Straits, Queen, Bowie, The Who and Elton - all seasoned big stage acts by that time.
I know it's been said before, many times, but that Queen set was probably about as perfect a 25 minute set as anyone could ever hope for in front of such a massive audience. They smashed it big time.
Madonna, live from Philadelphia, gave Wembley fans the opportunity to do something other than listen to music. When she came on, the most almighty plastic-glass-of-beer-fight broke out. Thousands - probably tens of thousands - of people threw cups full of drink into the air. It was like a plague of beer. (At least I hope it was all beer).
It was a brilliant day, seared into my memory. I'm glad it achieved at least something.
Interesting to also see the contrast between the Wembley crowd and the Philadelphia crowd. English lot properly going for it (especially as the afternoon went on), American crowd looked as if they weren't sure what they were even doing there. They got a bit lively at times but not much. Most seemed to be just having a picnic.