Imagine one-third of the global population tuning into a TV broadcast at the same time. That’s what happened on July 13, 1985, when 1.9 billion people watched musicians perform in London and Philadelphia to raise money for famine-stricken Ethiopians.
How many people were watching Live Aid?
Organized by Boomtown Rats front man Bob Geldof and Ultravox vocalist Midge Ure, the event drew an estimated 1.5 billion television viewers and raised millions of dollars for famine relief in Ethiopia.
How many people were watching Queen Live Aid?
They booked out the 400-seat Shaw Theatre, near King’s Cross train station in London, and spent a week honing their five-song setlist, getting it ready for the 72,000 fans who would be at Wembley – and the estimated 1.9 billion people watching on television from 130 countries around the world.
Is Live Aid still the biggest concert ever?
It was the biggest concert event the world had ever seen: Live Aid. An event so massive that 36 years on, people still remember where they were when they tuned in with the rest of the world to watch the biggest names in music perform to raise funds for the starving people of Africa.
Was Live Aid concert a success?
Was Live Aid a success? Despite bruised egos, controversy and several notable no-shows (Prince and Michael Jackson to name but two), the event was a huge success and set the template for subsequent fund-raisers. Geldof’s own website estimates that the shows raised £150 million for famine relief.
What is the highest attended concert?
The record for biggest concert attendance is held by Vasco Rossi (left) for a ticketed concert and Jean-Michel Jarre and Rod Stewart (right) for a free concert.
Who stole the show at Live Aid?
It was on this day in 1985 when Queen cemented their legacy with a career-defining (and show-stealing) performance at Live Aid.
Who was the biggest band at Live Aid?
It’s been more than 33 years since Queen, spearheaded by their electric front man Freddie Mercury, charged onto the stage of the 1985 Live Aid concert and performed the set often lauded as the greatest live gig of all time.
What did Elton John say about Queen at Live Aid?
“Freddie came over after Queen had stolen the show. I said, ‘Freddie, nobody should go on after you – you were magnificent. ‘ He said: ‘You’re absolutely right, darling, we were – we killed them.
What were Freddie Mercury’s last words?
Last Words to His Assistant
Freddie’s long-time assistant Peter Freestone shares the last words Freddie ever said to him were: “Thank you.”
What is the most watched concert in history on TV?
In 1990, Roger Waters played a concert in Berlin known as The Wall – Live in Berlin to commemorate the fall of the Berlin Wall. The concert was subject to a live audience of 450,000 and was broadcast to 35 countries, with an estimated broadcasting audience of 500 million to 1 billion people.
How much did Live Aid tickets cost?
An incredible 100,000 people packed into Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium for Live Aid and 72,000 attended the Wembley concert. Tickets for this once in a lifetime event cost $35.00. Live Aid was conceived by Bob Geldof on May 1, 1985, and it was planned and executed in just 10 weeks.
How much money did Queen raise for Live Aid?
This Day in History: ‘Live Aid’ concert raises $127 million for Famine Relief in Africa.
What happened to all the money from Live Aid?
Live Aid eventually raised $127 million in famine relief for African nations, and the publicity it generated encouraged Western nations to make available enough surplus grain to end the immediate hunger crisis in Africa. Geldof was later knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his efforts.
Who performed to the largest concert crowd ever?
British rock singer Rod Stewart proved that better than anyone else on New Year’s Eve 1994/1995. His free New Year’s Eve concert attracted a bit more than 3.5 million people that year, making it the biggest concert of all time.
What happened to Jim Hutton after Freddie died?
Three years after Freddie’s death, Jim published a book about his time with the singer titled Mercury and Me. He worked as Freddie’s gardener after moving into the singer’s Kensington mansion, and preferred to stay away from the rock and roll lifestyle.
What is the largest paying audience in history?
Sometimes the results are record-breaking.
- Oasis at Knebworth, 1996: 500,000.
- Paul McCartney – Maracanã Stadium, 1990: 184,000.
- Queen in Hyde Park, 1976: 200,000.
- Woodstock festival 1969: 400,000.
- The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park, 1969: 500,000.
- Isle Of Wight Festival, 1970: 700,000.
- Live 8 – Philadelphia, 2005: 1 million.
Which band has toured the most?
- The Beach Boys: 7045 performances.
- B.B. King: 6128.
- Ray Charles: 4586.
- Blue Öyster Cult: 4402.
- Johnny Cash: 4315.
- Jerry Lee Lewis: 4033.
- Frank Sinatra: 4027.
- Elton John: 3984.
Where is the biggest concert stadium in the world?
Biggest stadium in the world: Venues in North Korea, India and the US in top three – full list
- Rungrado 1st of May Stadium, Pyongyang. Capacity: 150,000.
- Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor. Capacity: 107, 601.
- Beaver Stadium, State College, Pennsylvania. Capacity: 106,572.
- Ohio Stadium, Columbus. Capacity: 102,780.
Is it true that Queen Save Live Aid?
Definitely not! Live Aid came in the year following the release of Queen’s hugely-successful album The Works. The tour to support the LP started in August 1984 and ended in May 1985, two months before Live Aid. Queen were experts at playing stadium shows at this point, which is why they were so tight on the day.
Was Queen a surprise at Live Aid?
Queen followed one of Live Aid’s signature moments and, more crucially, took the stage on July 13, 1985 at London’s Wembley Stadium, without much expectation.