Live Aid Unites Billions, Raises $370 Million for African Famine Relief

Live Aid, held on July 13, 1985, marked the largest charity music event in history, simultaneously staged at Wembley Stadium in London and John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, reaching nearly two billion viewers worldwide and raising substantial funds for famine relief in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Organized by Irish musician and activist Bob Geldof, the event featured over 75 acts, including Queen and U2, whose performances remain iconic, with the concert symbolizing a rare moment of global unity through music. Despite the immense success and ongoing revenue generated by the Band Aid single 'Do They Know It’s Christmas?', Geldof and other Band Aid members have never received royalties, emphasizing that all proceeds have gone directly to aid projects in Africa. Behind-the-scenes anecdotes reveal the logistical challenges and human moments, such as Princess Diana’s lighthearted interaction with Paula Yates’ daughter and the unconventional transportation of stars by helicopter to the venue. Four decades later, Live Aid is still celebrated through rebroadcasts and documentaries, with Geldof expressing his focus on the enduring sense of global connection rather than nostalgia. The event’s legacy continues to inspire reflections on the power of music and collective action to address humanitarian crises.