Wednesday 15 January 2014

Live Aid of 1985


Live Aid

It was the first truly global concert that changed the world, with just music. Bob Geldof's idea used the latest TV satellite technology to link up Wembley in north London, JFK Stadium in Philadelphia and a host of smaller venues in other countries to blitz the world's TV networks.
It was the first global concert that attracted 1.9 billion viewers in 150 countries. The biggest ever TV audience.

 ‘People felt empowered and exhilarated. They felt they really could help change the world.’
It was estimated to raise $1 million. The real figure was $70 million, later to reach $140 million in total. Partly in recognition of the Live Aid effort, Bob Geldof received an honorary knighthood.

Live Aid was significant simply for its uniqueness. A concert had never been staged at the same time on opposite sides of the world, included the biggest names in music and was staged for a charitable cause. The enthusiasm surrounding this event would never again be mimicked. Live aid went on to inspire many other aid charity concerts but nothing quite like that of 1985. It was a memorable first for aid reaching Africa, and became an iconic movement in the 80’s and continues to raise money still to this day the same way it did that July in 1985 at the JFK Stadium.
References;

-          http://edition.cnn.com/2005/SHOWBIZ/Music/07/01/liveaid.memories/index.html

-          http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/thelive8event/liveaid/memories.shtml

-          http://newhistories.group.shef.ac.uk/wordpress/wordpress/?p=4203

No comments:

Post a Comment