In 1985 Live Aid Concert was performed and televised around the world raising money for the Ethiopian crisis.
On the 23rd of October 1984 a special news report by the BBC was aired. On location with Michael Buerk the report highlighted the famine in Ethiopia which was threatening the lives of millions. The report affected many people including the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats, Bob Geldof and the Ultravox front-man Midge Ure. They co-wrote a song called “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in order to raise money for the Ethiopian crisis. They then contacted many artists of the time and organised the free use of a recording studio.
On the 25th of November 1984 a total of 21 acts (Adam Clayton, Bananarama, Bono, Chris Cross, Culture Club, Duran Duran, Francis Rossi, George Michael, Glen Gregory, Jody Watley, Kool and the Gang, Martyn Ware, Marylin, Midge Ure, Paul Weller, Paul Young, Phil Collins, Rick Parfitt, Spandau Ballet, Sting and The Boomtown Rats) turned up to perform. Despite the huge list of contributors the song was recorded and mixed in that single day and released less than two weeks later on the 8th of December.
The single shot to number 1 and sold more copies than any other single in the United Kingdom (until Elton John’s tribute to Princess Diana, “Candle in the Wind” in 1997). The song raised £8 Million for the people of Ethiopia but much more needed to be done.
In July the following year the United Nations informed the world that 160 million people were still being affected by the famine. Immediately Geldof set to work organising the largest concert and broadcast the world had ever seen.
On the 13th of July 1985 the “Live Aid” Concert began in Wembley Stadium, England. It was opened by Prince Charles and Princess Diana and had a huge line up of acts all working to raise money for Ethiopia. The concert then continued in other venues around the world that were all linked by satellite. Geldof reminded the millions of spectators what the concert was actually in aid of, saying "Don't go to the pub tonight. Please stay in and give us your money. There are people dying now." Live Aid raised £40 million and saved million of lives.
On the 2nd of July 2005 20 years after the success of Live Aid Geldof arranged “Live 8” a similar operation with the largest acts of the time singing in concert to raise awareness of the huge amount of poverty in the world. The name “Live 8” was used because it was hoped that when the 8 riches countries met up at their G8 summit, a few days later, they would discuss the issue. “Live 8” was also a success in that the members of the G8 agreed to pledge £50 billion in aid to Africa.
