You may recall the famous Live Aid dual continent benefit concerts in July of 1985 to benefit Ethiopian famine victims which took place in London and Philadelphia. Among the many talked about elements of the show was Phil Collins performing in both cities, solo in London, and then in Philly with a reunited Led Zeppelin, traveling between the two concerts aboard the supersonic Concorde airliner. The Led Zeppelin performance was widely panned. Robert Plant’s voice was off, the band hadn’t properly rehearsed with the two drummers who would fill in for John Bonham (Tony Thompson also performed alongside Collins), and trouble with the sound system. Plant described the performance as “a f***ing atrocity for us. … It made us look like loonies”. But there is a contingent that placed the problems squarely on Phil Collins, and he discussed it in a recent interview with the Daily Telegraph saying, “Here’s how it is. Robert on his own: a lovely bloke. Robert and anything to do with Zeppelin: a strange chemistry happens. It’s like a nasty strain of alchemy. Everything becomes very dark – sulphurous even.” You can read the full interview HERE.
Although unrelated, another Live Aid artist, Sir Paul McCartney, is the subject of what appears to be a 14 year feud with the ex-Genesis drummer over a perceived slight when Collins asked for the Beatle’s autograph. He said to The Sunday Times “He has this thing when he’s talking to you, where he makes you feel [like], ‘I know this must be hard for you because I’m a Beatle. I’m Paul McCartney and it must be very hard for you to actually be holding a conversation with me.” Also saying of Sir Paul, “You f***.” You can read more HERE.
As for the famous Live Aid shows themselves, the line-up featured almost every big name in music at the time.
In London, Status Quo, The Style Council, The Boomtown Rats, Adam Ant, Ultravox, Spandau Ballet, Elvis Costello, Nik Kershaw, Sade, Sting, Phil Collins with Sting, Howard Jones, Paul Young, U2, Dire Straits
(with Sting), Queen, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley, Paul McCartney and more.
At RFK Stadium in Philly, Joan Baez, The Hooters, Four Tops, Billy Ocean, Black Sabbath, Run–D.M.C, Rick Springfield, REO Speedwagon, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Judas Priest, Bryan Adams, The Beach Boys, George Thorogood and the Destroyers (with Bo Diddley and Albert Collins), Simple Minds, Pretenders, Santana (with Pat Metheny), Ashford & Simpson (with Teddy Pendergrass), Madonna (with Thompson Twins and Nile Rodgers), Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, The Cars, Neil Young, The Power Station, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Duran Duran, Patti LaBelle, Hall & Oates (with Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin), Mick Jagger, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Ronnie Wood, USA for Africa and others.
There were some notable absences, some of whom later stated they regretted not taking part. Some acts who had issues with the concerts’ promoter, the late Bill Graham. And, of course, those who had issues with other artists. Asked by organizer Bob Geldof to perform “Let It Be” with Paul McCartney, George Harrison said “”Paul didn’t ask me to sing on it (Let It Be) ten years ago, why does he want me now?”
Thin Lizzy believe that if they had been invited it may have spurned the late Phil Lynott to clean up to perform and may have saved his life. Deep Purple were to perform via satellite from Switzerland, but guitarist Richie Blackmore refused and didn’t show up.
Billy Joel, Boy George, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson, Tears for Fears, Huey Lewis and the News and Paul Simon, were all included in the initial promotional material for the Philadelphia concert, but failed to appear at the show itself. Paul Simon and Huey Lewis both accepted requests to play the Philadelphia concert but later issued press statements stating they had chosen not to appear after all, citing disagreements with the promoter.
Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder tried to organize a boycott of the concerts.
And Rush were irritated not to have been invited, Neil Peart saying, “Geddy was involved with the Northern Lights charity record here in Canada, although Rush weren’t invited to participate in the ‘Live Aid’ event – mainly because if you look at the guest list, it was very much an ‘in-crowd’ situation. We didn’t refuse to take part because of any principles. Mind you, I wouldn’t have been happy being part of this scenario. Those stars should have shut up and just given over their money if they were genuine. I recall that ‘Tears For Fears’, who made a musical and artistic decision to pull out of the concert, were subsequently accused of killing children in Africa – what a shockingly irresponsible and stupid attitude to take towards the band. But I have nothing bad whatsoever to say about Bob Geldof; he sacrificed his health, his career, everything for something he believed in. But others around him got involved for their own reasons. Some of those involved in Northern Lights were actually quoted as saying that their managers told them to get down to the recording sessions because it would be a good career move! What a farce!”