Live Aid at 40 on BBC
Discussion
A great 3 part programme interviewing Geldof and others and looking back on the Band Aid and Live Aid story, how it came about and how it all worked.
I was 13yrs old at the time and wasn't particularly interested in it all, but I can look back now and appreciate the magnitude of what they did.
I've seen previous documentaries that claim that Midge Ure was at least half responsible for it happening, of not more so, but Geldof took over and claimed the fame. Midges wife stated in one documentary that he was scheduled to play on stage at Live Aid at a certain time, but then Prince Charles and Diana arrived and Geldof moved Midges slot to later in the day so that he could perform in front of them. Midge wasn't aware at the time due to the chaotic arrangements back stage.
Whatever happened it was quite an event
The BBC are showing the concert again at 6pm Saturday 12th July
I was 13yrs old at the time and wasn't particularly interested in it all, but I can look back now and appreciate the magnitude of what they did.
I've seen previous documentaries that claim that Midge Ure was at least half responsible for it happening, of not more so, but Geldof took over and claimed the fame. Midges wife stated in one documentary that he was scheduled to play on stage at Live Aid at a certain time, but then Prince Charles and Diana arrived and Geldof moved Midges slot to later in the day so that he could perform in front of them. Midge wasn't aware at the time due to the chaotic arrangements back stage.
Whatever happened it was quite an event
The BBC are showing the concert again at 6pm Saturday 12th July
Edited by The Gauge on Monday 7th July 23:14
As a sound technician I've read a few articles on live aid from the techy magazines, it would be good going to pull off something like that now never mind forty years ago. Pretty much everything was last minute (they didn't even have anyone booked to provide the sound system in Philadelphia until a week before) plus of course it was all done without the internet and mobile phones, it's pretty mind boggling!
The Gauge said:
I've seen previous documentaries that claim that Midge Ure was at least half responsible for it happening, of not more so, but Geldof took over and claimed the fame. Midges wife stated in one documentary that he was scheduled to play on stage at Live Aid at a certain time, but then Prince Charles and Diana arrived and Geldof moved Midges slot to later in the day so that he could perform in front of them. Midge wasn't aware at the time due to the chaotic arrangements back stage.
I've only seen the first one so far and was surprised by how little Midge Ure featured. Fun to hear how Bob Geldof met Gary Kemp and Sting in the Kings road though. That reminded me of that road back in the 80s which I dont think it's anything like now. And it was nice to hear the nice comment about how good Paula Yates was at keeping things together. I'd forgotten just how quickly the record got put together and made available - that makes me less negative about criticism of the song's lyric/title and lack of diversity that the US one tried to counter. njw1 said:
As a sound technician I've read a few articles on live aid from the techy magazines, it would be good going to pull off something like that now never mind forty years ago. Pretty much everything was last minute (they didn't even have anyone booked to provide the sound system in Philadelphia until a week before) plus of course it was all done without the internet and mobile phones, it's pretty mind boggling!
One of the episodes refers to Paul McCartneys microphone not working for his performance, and the sound tech guy saying that McCartnely never ever used him ever again.Halmyre said:
Midge Ure has always acknowledged that Bob was the prime mover in the project. If he's got issues with Bob about anything he's never shown it.
Cheers. It was quite fun to hear that Bob G simply picked him to ask first because he asked Paula Yates who would be on The Tube that night that he could speak to. Squadrone Rosso said:
The Queen set was absolutely magnificent. One of if not the best live performances ever IMO.
Freddie was on fire. The pinnacle of his career IMO.
Perhaps I heard it wrong but didn't BG say he didn't want them to play as they weren't selling enough records?! Most iconic image I'd say.Freddie was on fire. The pinnacle of his career IMO.
TX.
Live Aid was a tour de force. What an achievement.
It highlighted how average many live performers were.
Queen absolutely blew it out of the water but were institutionally fabulous. Radio GaGa saw Wembley respond as one. They were totally peerless.
George Michael nailed it too but was outshone.
It highlighted how average many live performers were.
Queen absolutely blew it out of the water but were institutionally fabulous. Radio GaGa saw Wembley respond as one. They were totally peerless.
George Michael nailed it too but was outshone.
I remember this well and pretty much sitting in front of the TV all day from lunchtime until the last Wembley act pretty late in evening, taking it all in.
A simply amazing event at the time to watch. I don't think there's ever been any musical events before or since with anything like the same impact. Just having all those huge bands playing in the same show, in front of a colossal, excited crowd and the quality of their performances - fantastic. All for free on TV too.
It helped that this was all before 'celebrity musician charity fatigue' set in, or was even a thing.
Even though he's subsequently become of a bit of a tw@ , kudos to Bob Geldof for what he achieved with Live Aid/Band Aid.
A simply amazing event at the time to watch. I don't think there's ever been any musical events before or since with anything like the same impact. Just having all those huge bands playing in the same show, in front of a colossal, excited crowd and the quality of their performances - fantastic. All for free on TV too.
It helped that this was all before 'celebrity musician charity fatigue' set in, or was even a thing.
Even though he's subsequently become of a bit of a tw@ , kudos to Bob Geldof for what he achieved with Live Aid/Band Aid.
I remember watching it in the one horse town I grew up in in NZ at 19 years old = it started about midnight there from memory. We were at a mate's house and there was a revolving cast of the local people passing through. I was a keen Who fan but their set cut off at one stage I think? I remember driving home about 6 in the morning, thinking it was pretty awesome.
Randy Winkman said:
The Gauge said:
I've seen previous documentaries that claim that Midge Ure was at least half responsible for it happening, of not more so, but Geldof took over and claimed the fame. Midges wife stated in one documentary that he was scheduled to play on stage at Live Aid at a certain time, but then Prince Charles and Diana arrived and Geldof moved Midges slot to later in the day so that he could perform in front of them. Midge wasn't aware at the time due to the chaotic arrangements back stage.
I've only seen the first one so far and was surprised by how little Midge Ure featured. Fun to hear how Bob Geldof met Gary Kemp and Sting in the Kings road though. That reminded me of that road back in the 80s which I dont think it's anything like now. And it was nice to hear the nice comment about how good Paula Yates was at keeping things together. I'd forgotten just how quickly the record got put together and made available - that makes me less negative about criticism of the song's lyric/title and lack of diversity that the US one tried to counter. Ref Midge he said in his autobiography that his only regret surrounding Live Aid was not in inviting Thin Lizzy. some thing about Phil Lynot not being able to behave and being unreliable, he was a close friend at the time . But it would not have made any difference on the day think anyone could of got away with anything.
Think Marolin turned up uninvited instead .
Not watched this new documentary yet but there's good one that should hopefully still be on Youtube, Live Aid - Against all odds think it's called. It's a two parter and worth a watch.
Every year at during xmas holidays I watch my Live Aid DVD boxset
Not only did this concert make Queen and Freddie Mercury into rock legends it also made U2 and Bono into global superstars pre-Joshua Tree in 1987.
The only disappointment looking back were the lack of the legendary black artists of the time there turned the concert down. Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder etc.
Every year at during xmas holidays I watch my Live Aid DVD boxset
Not only did this concert make Queen and Freddie Mercury into rock legends it also made U2 and Bono into global superstars pre-Joshua Tree in 1987.
The only disappointment looking back were the lack of the legendary black artists of the time there turned the concert down. Michael Jackson, Prince, Stevie Wonder etc.
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