Context:

Forty years ago, the Live Aid concerts, simulcast from Philadelphia and London, raised over $100 million for Ethiopian famine relief and marked a monumental global television event with performances by Queen, The Who, and a Led Zeppelin reunion. Artists like Rick Springfield, John Oates, and Rob Halford reflect on the diverse performances, such as Run-DMC introducing a new era of music and Mick Jagger's surprise collaboration with Tina Turner. Bob Geldof, who organized Live Aid and later Live 8, believes the current fragmented social media landscape prevents such impactful events today. He suggests that the cohesive social, economic, and technological environment that enabled Live Aid no longer exists, making similar events challenging in today's divided world. While artists like Springfield and Oates acknowledge these obstacles, Halford remains hopeful, citing recent benefit concerts as evidence of enduring empathy and the potential for future humanitarian efforts.

Dive Deeper:

• The Live Aid concerts on July 13, 1985, were broadcast live from Philadelphia and London, featuring 16 hours of music and raising significant funds for Ethiopian famine relief, helping to inspire global awareness for the cause.

• Rick Springfield recalls his performance at Live Aid, which was part of a diverse lineup that included acts like Run-DMC, who represented a new wave in music, highlighting the transformative nature of the event.

• John Oates shares his experience of performing with Hall and Oates, joined unexpectedly by Tina Turner during a set with Mick Jagger, which elevated the energy of the show and demonstrated the spontaneity and excitement of Live Aid.

• Bob Geldof organized both Live Aid and Live 8, but he argues that due to the current fragmented media landscape, driven by social media algorithms, organizing a similar global music event today would be nearly impossible.

• Geldof and Springfield both express concerns about the divisive nature of today's society, which would hinder the ability to unify people and artists around a single cause like Live Aid did in the past.

• Despite these challenges, Rob Halford remains optimistic, citing recent events like Fire Aid as examples of ongoing empathy and the potential for future large-scale humanitarian concerts.

• The reflections of these artists highlight the enduring impact of Live Aid while acknowledging the significant changes in the music industry and society that challenge the feasibility of replicating such an event today.