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Live Aid revisited
JamesSeed
Posts: 17,380
Good decision by the BBC to show extended highlights of live aid, both from Wembley and Philadelphia.
It took place 49 years ago today.
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.
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.
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)
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Was a fantastic day, can’t believe it was 40 years ago. What prompted me to get a ticket was The Who reforming. Thought it would be the only chance I’d ever get to see them live (how wrong I was thankfully)! Always regretted not taking a camera with me, not sure why but I just didn’t realise what a big deal it all was. My nan said to me the day before the show that I should take it all in as much as possible as it’s a day I’d always remember.3
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Recorded a lot on VHS on the day & watched it back loads of times over the years, esp the Who & Led Zep sets. Missed taping Queen & Elton John in 1985 & so recorded those last night.
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.1 -
To be fair they were awful that day but you can see it on YouTubegolfaddick said:Recorded a lot on VHS on the day & watched it back loads of times over the years, esp the Who & Led Zep sets. Missed taping Queen & Elton John in 1985 & so recorded those last night.
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.0 -
Didn’t know that! Did they have an off day?golfaddick said:Recorded a lot on VHS on the day & watched it back loads of times over the years, esp the Who & Led Zep sets. Missed taping Queen & Elton John in 1985 & so recorded those last night.
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.0 -
Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.0
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…..and tried to blame it all on poor old Phil Collins.DaveMehmet said:
To be fair they were awful that day but you can see it on YouTubegolfaddick said:Recorded a lot on VHS on the day & watched it back loads of times over the years, esp the Who & Led Zep sets. Missed taping Queen & Elton John in 1985 & so recorded those last night.
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.1 -
It was the day we first got a video recorder and recorded the whole concert on a VHS tape which we still have. We still have the video recorder but haven't got a cable to connect it to our current tv.
We were out last night, so recorded the BBC shows and look forward to watching them later.2 -
Went to the new West end show 'just for one day' a few weeks ago.
Thought it was excellent3 -
Completely concur. Saw it when it started at the Old Vic last year.carly burn said:Went to the new West end show 'just for one day' a few weeks ago.
Thought it was excellentThoroughly recommend.1 -
They blamed Phil Collins for not knowing their songs but Jimmy Page looked high as a kite and they didnt practice beforehand (and they hadn't played together since Bonham died 5 years before).JamesSeed said:
Didn’t know that! Did they have an off day?golfaddick said:Recorded a lot on VHS on the day & watched it back loads of times over the years, esp the Who & Led Zep sets. Missed taping Queen & Elton John in 1985 & so recorded those last night.
Shame Led Zep wont allow their set to be shown anywhere at all ever again.
But to me, as an 18 year old kid who had only recently got into Zep, seeing them play Stairway to Heaven was immense.1 - Sponsored links:
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Sade was good too…4
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It was interesting watching it. I was 19 and had just left Erith College. Iirc it was the summer that Lennie made some good signings which propelled us to a top tier promotion ( although Selhurst Park laid in waiting for us). I felt optimistic about the future.
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 mind1 -
I was 15 & we didn’t have a vcr.
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 lol2 -
I thought our line up was a bit poor for the global audience. Lots of acts that were popular in UK at time, but not sure the US/rest of the world were big fans of the likes of Nik Kershaw or Howard Jones etc0
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I was 15 and working a summer job in Lasky’s in Bexleyheath. Spent all day listening to it on Radio and didn’t actually see much of the video footage until fairly recently.1
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It seems to me that Queen have almost gained in popularity since that time & U2 has lost popularity.
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.
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@JamesSeed RIP Matthew Seligman.JamesSeed said: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)
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That Bowie suit and tie was outstanding.1
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Really enjoyed that last night, quite sentimental watching it. Was 16 and had just left school and remember watching the whole thing all those years ago. Highlights for me Sade and Queen also thought Status Quo opened it well, guilty pleasure Elton John and Kiki Dee. Oh and sending a cheque or postal order to National Girobank to donate 🤣 Felt like I should be drinking a can of Lilt watching it.2
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Same as at Isle of Wight a few weeks ago.SuedeAdidas said:Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.2 - Sponsored links:
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I watched most of it yesterday and couldn't help thinking how plain "boring" most of the first half at Wembley was.
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.7 -
Just cos it’s relevant…….Kylie Minogue is an anagram of You Like Minge.Covered End said:
Same as at Isle of Wight a few weeks ago.SuedeAdidas said:Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.5 -
I was there. I concur with most of what others have said. Except that Sade was dire - I took the opportunity to search out refreshment while she was on and bumped into a very tired and emotional Bob Geldof on his way to yet another interview. I shook his hand and thanked him for... you know, everything.
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.4 -
I nodded off briefly during Sade’s set. Honestly don’t remember the the beer fight at all but do remember everyone dancing when they showed the Beach Boys on the big screens. It all finished very quickly, as soon as the last song was over, Harvey Goldsmith thanked the crowd and that was that. Think it might have had something to do with a strict curfew.Chizz said:I was there. I concur with most of what others have said. Except that Sade was dire - I took the opportunity to search out refreshment while she was on and bumped into a very tired and emotional Bob Geldof on his way to yet another interview. I shook his hand and thanked him for... you know, everything.
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.1 -
I can’t get that out my head.SuedeAdidas said:
Just cos it’s relevant…….Kylie Minogue is an anagram of You Like Minge.Covered End said:
Same as at Isle of Wight a few weeks ago.SuedeAdidas said:Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.5 -
You should be so lucky!guinnessaddick said:
I can’t get that out my head.SuedeAdidas said:
Just cos it’s relevant…….Kylie Minogue is an anagram of You Like Minge.Covered End said:
Same as at Isle of Wight a few weeks ago.SuedeAdidas said:Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.3 -
So said Jeff Lynne.guinnessaddick said:
I can’t get that out my head.SuedeAdidas said:
Just cos it’s relevant…….Kylie Minogue is an anagram of You Like Minge.Covered End said:
Same as at Isle of Wight a few weeks ago.SuedeAdidas said:Sting was awful. Pretentious jazz versions of Police classics.I’m not a fan of U2 but thought they were clearly the best on display.
He’s up there with Noel Edmonds, Kylie Minogue, Naomi Campbell and Mariah Carey for self love.0 -
And her outfit....😉valleynick66 said:Sade was good too…0 -
Seen clips of the concert over the years mainly as part of documentaries. Nice to see most of the days events together for once.
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.0 -
If I remember correctly Bob Dylan and Patti Labelle were my biggest stinkers on the night- both in Philly.0
