Thirty-six years ago today, two massive benefit concerts took place simultaneously on both sides of the pond to help famine victims in Ethiopia in Africa. Live Aid was organized by Irish singer-songwriter Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats, and it included concerts held at Wembley Stadium in London, and at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Several other concerts inspired by the event were held the same day all over the world in other countries including Canada, Japan, Austria, Australia and the Soviet Union.
The Philly show featured Madonna, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Black Sabbath with Ozzy Osbourne, Duran Duran and the surviving members of Led Zeppelin reunited. And over in the UK, Elton John performed along with U2, Paul McCartney, George Michael and David Bowie. The show also feature an incredible live performance by Freddie Mercury and Queen.
It's estimated that over 1.9 billion people watched the televised concerts. About 72,000 lucky people were at the show in London, and almost 90 thousand here in the U.S. Do you remember watching Live Aid on TV on July 13th, 1985?
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