Timeline

1985

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.

Jul

13

Arts & Entertainment

Live Aid concert raises more than $100 million for famine relief in Africa

On July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London, Prince Charles and Princess Diana officially open Live Aid, a worldwide rock concert organized to raise money for the relief of famine-stricken Africans. Continued at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia (where Joan Baez famously kicked it off by telling the crowd "this is your Woodstock, and it's long overdue") and at other arenas around the world, the 16-hour “superconcert” was globally linked by satellite to more than a billion viewers in 110 nations. In a triumph of technology and good will, the event raised more than $100 million in famine relief for Africa.

In a This Day in History video, learn that on July 13, 1985, the sixteen hour concert, Live Aid, was broadcasted around the world. Rock Musician Bob Geldof created the concert in attempt to raise money to relieve hunger in Africa. Live Aid was officially opened in London by Prince Charles and Princess Diana; the concert took place simultaneously in Philadelphia. Over a billion people watched some of rock’s biggest acts: Queen, Mick Jagger, David Bowe, Madonna, and Ozzy Osborne. Live Aid raised over $125 million and Geldof was knighted by the Queen for his part.

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