Time for a stroll down memory lane, and through music history.
I remember July 13, 1985 like, well, like it was 25 years ago. I was glued to my TV set like 2 billion other people watching Live Aid. What an incredible event. (And on Christmas Day 2004 I remember being glued to the TV again after Sue gave me the DVD box set.)
Here's the performance of Bad by U2 which, more than anything else I'd say, launched them into the stratosphere and established their reputation as a super group, particularly live. Bono's vocal chords, young and perfect. The dance with the young lady, who was actually being crushed by the crowd and only Bono could see it. The quality of the video is suspect, but there's all sorts of goodness here.
Even I have to admit though that this wasn't the performance of the day. I've got one word for you:
Queen
Fronted by the late, great, incredibly charismatic, beautifully flawed and outrageously flamboyant Freddie Mercury, it's no wonder their appearance at Live Aid has been referred to as the Greatest Live Gig of All Time. Absolutely incredible.
You can find all of their numbers that day on YouTube, but you might be surprised at my favorite. To me, Radio Ga Ga was the ultimate. The shots from the back of the stage looking past Freddie over the crowd are particularly amazing. I can't imagine what it must be like to have 77,000 people (at Wembly, and another 100,000 at JFK) watching your every move, and singing along with you. I think Freddie can be forgiven if it went to his head a little. The bit at the end of the song is what really blows me away. The crowd would have done anything Freddy asked of them. I think he knew it.
25 years ago today.
UPDATE: From the comments, just so you don't miss it. Check out our friend Peter Banks post Remembering Live Aid. There's a great video clip that adds to the story, and a link to Peter's story of working with Freddie Mercury! Fantastic.
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