Live Aid 1985.

On July 13, 1985, 72,000 people packed London’s Wembley Arena to witness stars including Sting, David Bowie, U2, Queen and Elton John perform in an epic event which is now etched in history.

Across the pond, an estimated 99,000 packed the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia to take part in a simultaneous event, which – combined with the London concert – lasted a total of 16 hours. The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Run DMC, Bryan Adams and Led Zeppelin were among those who performed, while Phil Collins famously jetted over the Atlantic via Concorde to perform, just hours after taking to the stage during the UK concert.

Two new amazing fan photos surface from Live Aid in 1985, with Madonna and Sean backstage minutes before she performs in Wembley Stadium.

Madonna arrived with then new boyfriend Sean Pen, to the shock to everybody Madonna was wearing an engagement ring.

A widely ambitious international satellite television venture meant that the concerts were broadcast in around 60 countries, to an astonishing two billion viewers worldwide. Live Aid was a massive success, with reports stating that it raised between Dh200 and 250 million for Ethiopia, while the legacy of the concerts still live on to this day.

Today is the 26th anniversary of the ground-breaking charity concert Live Aid. Organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to aid famine relief in Ethopia, the concert took place in London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's JFK Stadium. Relative newcomer Madonna was introduced onto the stage by Bette Midler saying: 'A woman who pulled herself up by her bra-straps....she's Madonna!'

Madonna, wearing a more modest outfit than usual, said 'I ain't taking sh*t off today!' - in reference to the recent publication of some nude pictures in Penthouse and Playboy. She sang Holiday, Into The Groove and Love Makes the World Go Round - and later also joined The Thompson Twins on stage during a performance of Revolution.

N E X T

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

 

12 11 10 9 8