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Eldergays, the 40th anniversary of LIVE AID is July 13th. What was your best memory and favorite performance?

OP here -

Since there was no internet back then, one of the local radio stations in my hometown of Chicago (WLS) ran the simulcast and the DJ's suggested that if you watched the show on MTV, the sound was better if you placed your stereo speakers on each side of your television. Totally worked.

Best performances(IMO): Bowie, Jagger and Tina Turner and (of course) Queen

by Anonymousreply 18July 7, 2025 10:21 PM

It was so hot that day in the Northeast. I remember being so disappointed that Cyndi Lauper wasn’t there.

But on the plus side, we solved world hunger that day. Phew.

by Anonymousreply 1July 7, 2025 3:03 PM

Though I generally can't stand them U2 were very good on the day too.

by Anonymousreply 2July 7, 2025 3:06 PM

This. By far.

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by Anonymousreply 3July 7, 2025 3:10 PM

Madonna got all the attention

by Anonymousreply 4July 7, 2025 3:11 PM

Madonna

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by Anonymousreply 5July 7, 2025 3:12 PM

It gave us this masterpiece for the ages:

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by Anonymousreply 6July 7, 2025 3:23 PM

I watched it all, all day and all night, UK and US iterations, the broadcast just never stopped. Loved Elvis Costello, Bowie, George Michael and but of course Queen. The interviews between acts, Geldof swearing on live TV, "Just send us the fucking money, NOW..." I get tingles of nostalgia thinking about that astonishing day.

by Anonymousreply 7July 7, 2025 3:48 PM

I was 9 years old and watched Live Aid with my cousin at our grandmother's house. FORTY years ago. Wow.

by Anonymousreply 8July 7, 2025 3:57 PM

This picture from People Magazine is pretty iconic.

I was at Live 8 in Philadelphia in the early 2000s. Saw Alicia Keys, Destiny's Child, Dave Matthews, and a few other forgettable names. I have pics somewhere.

by Anonymousreply 9July 7, 2025 4:36 PM

Sorry, forgot link

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by Anonymousreply 10July 7, 2025 4:37 PM

^^Daryl Hall's mullet was epic.

by Anonymousreply 11July 7, 2025 4:38 PM

There were rumors up until the day of the show that the three Beatles were going to reunite with Julian Lennon and play, but it didn’t pan out.

Also that Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Lionel Richie would show up to help sing We are the World, but only Lionel and Harry Belafonte showed up for the finale

Springsteen donated the UK show the use of his stage, He has said not performing was the biggest regret of his career..

by Anonymousreply 12July 7, 2025 5:23 PM

The first time Eric Clapton actually looked good. His backup singers were great.

by Anonymousreply 13July 7, 2025 8:50 PM

I was 16, and don't remember if I ate or drank or took a leak, but I watched from start to finish. It felt important and was astonishing in it's power to coalesce.

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by Anonymousreply 14July 7, 2025 9:10 PM

I remember getting up to go to the bathroom, but otherwise I spent the day on the couch.

by Anonymousreply 15July 7, 2025 9:19 PM

Not an eldergay but from clips I've watched, I really enjoy watching U2 performing Sunday Bloody Sunday

by Anonymousreply 16July 7, 2025 9:43 PM

Somewhere, I still have the Live Aid pin I got for making a donation during the event. I loved it! Unless the tape has dissolved, I may still have my VHS recordings.

YouTube, Live Aid's channel, is having an event for the 40th anniversary.

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by Anonymousreply 17July 7, 2025 10:00 PM

I remember it being hot as fuck that day in NY, too R1. I lived on the third floor of a brownstone with no AC, just fans. Still watched the entire broadcast.

by Anonymousreply 18July 7, 2025 10:21 PM
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