More than two decades ago, the legendary Live Aid concert captivated global audiences on July 13, 1985, creating a monumental shift in how the world viewed philanthropy and entertainment. This historic event unfolded simultaneously at two iconic venues, one in London and the other in Philadelphia, over an impressive span of more than a dozen hours. A diverse lineup of world-class artists performed, raising an astounding total of over $100 million aimed at providing famine relief in Ethiopia. Even today, it remains a benchmark for both charitable efforts and the logistical prowess required for such massive events.

Reflecting on the profound impact of Live Aid, organizer Bob Geldof shared in a Billboard interview in March 2025, “It’s that sense of being there, and connected. Everyone just felt this sense of humanness — not humanity, but humanness. For the first time in 300,000 years, since we all left the Rift Valley, we were all talking to each other about a common problem and using a common language, the lingua franca of rock ‘n’ roll. Everyone in the world understands ‘a wop bop a lula, a bop bam boom.’ Rock ‘n’ roll transcends language; it’s an attitude and it’s a sense, and it’s universal.” This sentiment underscores the unity that music can foster across diverse cultures.

To celebrate the remarkable 40th anniversary of Live Aid, we have compiled a list of the 40 most unforgettable moments from both concerts, capturing the essence of this extraordinary event.

Unforgettable Highlights from Live Aid London at Wembley Stadium

1. The Royal Presence: Princess Diana and Prince Charles Attend Live Aid

2. Status Quo Energizes the Crowd with John Fogerty’s ‘Rockin’ All Over the World’

3. Bob Geldof Shines as He Performs with The Boomtown Rats at His Own Concert

4. Elvis Costello Delivers a Heartfelt Cover of The Beatles’ ‘All You Need Is Love’

5. Sting Joins Forces with Phil Collins for an Unforgettable Performance

6. Bryan Ferry Collaborates with David Gilmour for an Iconic Musical Moment

7. U2 Dazzles the Audience with a Nearly 12-Minute Version of ‘Bad’

8. Bono’s Heroic Gesture: Jumping Off Stage to Protect a Young Fan

9. Sting Collaborates with Dire Straits for a Powerful Rendition of ‘Money for Nothing’

10. Queen Captivates the Crowd with a Joyous Call-and-Response Performance

11. David Bowie Makes a Triumphant Return to the Stage After an 18-Month Hiatus

12. David Bowie and Mick Jagger’s Spontaneous Collaboration Sparks a New ‘Dancing in the Street’ Studio Version

13. The Who Reunites for the First Time After Their Farewell Tour

14. Elton John and George Michael Deliver a Stunning Duet of ‘Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me’

15. Elton John Pays Tribute to Marvin Gaye with a Cover of ‘Can I Get a Witness’

16. A Memorable Reprise Featuring Freddie Mercury and Brian May

17. Paul McCartney Performs ‘Let It Be’ Alongside Legends Bob Geldof, David Bowie, Alison Moyet, and Pete Townshend

18. The Full Cast Unites for an Emotional Performance of Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’

19. Bob Geldof Elevated on the Shoulders of Paul McCartney and Pete Townshend: An Iconic Image

Highlighting the Spectacular Moments from Live Aid Philadelphia at John F. Kennedy Stadium

20. Jack Nicholson Introduces the Talented Joan Baez to the Audience

21. The Original Black Sabbath Thrills Fans with Ozzy Osbourne at the Helm

22. Run DMC Breaks New Ground by Bringing Hip Hop to the Live Aid Stage

23. REO Speedwagon and the Beach Boys Collaborate for a Rousing Performance of ‘Roll With the Changes’

24. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young Reunite for a Historic Performance

25. George Thorogood & The Destroyers Rock the Stage with a Bo Diddley Cover Featuring Bo Diddley Himself

26. Santana Teams Up with Pat Metheny for an Unforgettable Musical Experience

27. Teddy Pendergrass Makes His First Public Appearance Since His Life-Altering 1982 Car Accident

28. Tom Petty’s Bold Gesture: Flipping Off Someone Mid-Song

29. Madonna, Thompson Twins, and Nile Rodgers Collaborate to Cover The Beatles’ ‘Revolution’

30. Phil Collins Flies from London to Philadelphia, Making History as the Only Artist to Perform at Both Live Aid Venues

31. Led Zeppelin Reunites for the First Time Since John Bonham’s Death, with Phil Collins on Drums

32. Patti LaBelle Delivers a Soulful Cover of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’

33. Hall & Oates Perform Classic Temptations Songs with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin of The Temptations

34. A Duet for the Ages: Mick Jagger and Tina Turner Take the Stage Together

35. Bob Dylan Collaborates with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood for a Memorable Performance

36. Bob Dylan Casually Proposes a Future Initiative: Farm Aid

37. Cher Surprises Fans by Appearing After a Chance Encounter with Phil Collins on Their Flight to Philadelphia

38. Live Aid Culminates with an All-Star Performance of ‘We Are the World’

Additional Noteworthy Highlights of Live Aid

39. The Global Broadcast of Live Aid

It is essential to recognize a couple of key elements that, while not specific moments, are pivotal to the enduring legacy of Live Aid. Firstly, the event was not just attended by tens of thousands of enthusiastic concert-goers; it was broadcast live to a global audience. An estimated 1.9 billion viewers tuned in from over 100 countries, representing around 40 percent of the world’s population at that time. In today’s age, live-streamed concerts are commonplace, but in 1985, executing such a feat was groundbreaking and showcased the power of television in bringing people together for a common cause.

40. The Incredible Amount of Money Raised for Famine Relief

Lastly, one of the most significant aspects of Live Aid was the extraordinary amount of funds it generated for famine relief efforts. Throughout the broadcast, viewers were passionately encouraged to donate, and while reports on the total have varied over the years, it is widely accepted that Live Aid raised over $100 million for humanitarian aid, making a substantial impact on the lives of countless individuals facing dire circumstances.