Live Aid, the day the music changed the world, took place 36 years ago today (July 13.)

The legendary benefit show emanated from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It helped raise more than $125 million for African famine relief efforts and was broadcast live in 110 countries and was watched by over a billion people worldwide.

In honor of its anniversary, take a look at these ten must-watch performances.

Mick Jagger & Tina Turner

There were a number of collaborations that took part during Live Aid, but the one with the most chemistry was clearly when Jagger and Turner performed “State Of Shock/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It).”

Mick Jagger / Tina Turner – State Of Shock / It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (Live Aid 1985)

Mick Jagger and Tina Turner performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The ev…

 

U2

Still two years away from their major breakthrough with The Joshua Tree, U2 showed the world their performance power with “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Bad” and in the process made the enormity of Wembley Stadium feel like an intimate setting.

U2 – Sunday Bloody Sunday (Live Aid 1985)

U2 performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ur…

U2 – Bad (Live Aid 1985)

U2 performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ur…

 

David Bowie

Bowie delivered with a tight four-song set that included “TVC 15,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Modern Love” and “Heroes.”

David Bowie – TVC 15 (Live Aid 1985)

David Bowie performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and…

David Bowie – Rebel Rebel (Live Aid 1985)

David Bowie performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and…

David Bowie – Modern Love (Live Aid 1985)

David Bowie performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and…

David Bowie – Heroes (Live Aid, 1985)

David Bowie performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof and…

 

The Cars

The Cars took to the stage at JFK Stadium with a killer set that included “You Might Think,” “Drive,” “Just What I Needed” and “Heartbeat City.”

The Cars – You Might Think (ABC – Live Aid 7/13/1985)

Sourced from the ABC broadcast.I do NOT own ANY of this material.No copyright infringement intended.Full credit to The Live Aid Knight!

The Cars – Drive (Live Aid 1985)

The Cars performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised b…

The Cars – Just What I Needed (Live Aid 1985)

The Cars performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised b…

The Cars – Heartbeat City (Live Aid 1985)

The Cars performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised b…

 

Dire Straits

Two months prior to Live Aid, Dire Straits released their fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms. One month prior to Live Aid, the band launched the album’s second single, “Money for Nothing” featuring Sting. So, understandably, when Sting joined the band for “Money for Nothing” at Live aid, the crowd went wild.

Dire Straits / Sting – Money For Nothing (Live Aid 1985)

Dire Straits and Sting performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob…

Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing (Live Aid 1985)

Dire Straits performing at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by Sir Bob Geldof an…

 

Judas Priest

The most metal moment to happen during Live Aid was when Judas Priest crushed it at JFK Stadium. Kudos to them for wearing all that leather during the ungodly heat.

Judas Priest – Living After Midnight (Live Aid 1985)

Judas Priest performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organis…

Judas Priest – The Green Manalishi (With The Two-Pronged Crown) (Live Aid 1985)

Judas Priest performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organis…

Judas Priest – You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ (MTV – Live Aid 7/13/1985)

Sourced from the MTV broadcast.NOT INCLUDED ON THE 2004 DVD RELEASE.I do NOT own ANY of this material.No copyright infringement intended.***FULL CREDIT TO BO…

 

Madonna

By the time Live Aid took place, Madonna was one of the biggest, if not the biggest pop star in the world thanks to the release of Like a Virgin, which had been out for nine months.

Madonna – Holiday (Live Aid 1985)

Madonna performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by…

Madonna – Into The Groove (Live Aid 1985)

Madonna performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The event was organised by…

Madonna – Love Makes The World Go Round (HQ UNEDITED – Live Aid 7/13/1985)

High quality & unedited (No station identification or commentary).I do NOT own ANY of this material.No copyright infringement intended.

 

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers made the most of their time on stage with a packed four-song set of “American Girl,” “The Waiting,” “Rebels” and Refugee.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – American Girl (Live Aid 1985)

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The …

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers – The Waiting (Live Aid 1985)

Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. Th…

 

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Rebels (MTV – Live Aid 7/13/1985)

Sourced from the MTV broadcast.NOT INCLUDED ON THE 2004 DVD RELEASE.I do NOT own ANY of this material.No copyright infringement intended.***FULL CREDIT TO BO…

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – Refugee (Live Aid 1985)

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers performing at Live Aid in front of 100,000 people in the John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia USA on the 13th July, 1985. The …

Paul McCartney

McCartney was joined on stage by Alison Moyet, David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof to perform the Beatles classic “Let It Be.”

Paul McCartney – Let It Be (Live Aid 1985)

Paul McCartney performing with Alison Moyet, David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof at Live Aid in front of 72,000 people in Wembley Stadium, London on t…

Queen

Last but definitely not least is Queen, who ruled the day with what would become one of the best live performances in music history. And 36 years later, few have touched the magic Queen created on stage at Live Aid.

Queen – Live Aid Performance (1985) 35 Years Restoration! FULL HD 1080p New Audio MP3 320 kbps

Queen #LiveAid #35years #FullHD #1080p #restore #restorationOriginal BroadcastFull HD 1080p Restoration and color correction from original DVD by @zirucFLAC…

 

Freddie Mercury: Photos On Stage and Behind-The-Scenes