Live Aid and the political concerts of the 1980s

Where were you then, 40 years ago today? My mother just messaged me to say she's watching the re-run of Live Aid on the BBC.

"I'm looking for you in the crowd."

"But Mum, I wasn't there!!"

Not sure why I didn't go. As a committed concert-goer back then, I certainly would have been up for it. I imagine the event must have sold out quickly before I could get hold of a ticket. 

On the day, I remember I was in my car with the radio on, and hearing the now famous announcement: "It's 12 noon in London, 7am in Philadelphia and around the world it's time for Live Aid!"

I watched the day unfold on TV with friends, into the early hours of Sunday morning. I still have the audio tapes. On one of them, at the conclusion of Led Zeppelin's Stairway To Heaven, you hear DJ Mike Smith saying "Well, if you won't give us at least a quid after hearing the most requested song of all time, well, there's no hope is there?"

Live Aid showed what was possible when a whole community of artists work together for something bigger than all of them; for those much less fortunate than themselves. It also engaged a generation of 20 and 30-somethings in a way that is perhaps hard to imagine now. 

The 1980s was a politically-charged time, with issues of race, equality, human rights and the environment gaining prominence. The use of music to highlight these issues seemed quite natural at the time and after Live Aid, the torch was carried forward by some of the highest profile rock stars in the fight for human rights, the fight against apartheid in South Africa and many others worthy causes.

While much is rightly being made of the 40^th anniversary of Live Aid, the humanitarian and charity events that followed it are an important part of the story. As such, the immediate legacy of Live Aid was the string of politically-charged concerts in the late 80s, beginning with another cracker of an event music-wise, the Nelson Mandela 70th Birthday Tribute at Wembley Stadium in June 1988. 

The June 1988 concert that spurred the release from jail of Nelson Mandela, was a remarkable collection of global talent. More diverse than Live Aid and featuring many of the biggest artists of the day.

It was probably the most politically influential of any concert held in the UK. And for the sheer number of top name artists on the bill, it would be hard to beat. 

Here’s the list:

Harry Belafonte, Sting, George Michael, Eurythmics, Al Green, Joe Cocker, Ashford & Simpson, Natalie Cole, Tracy Chapman, Midge Ure, Phil Collins, Joan Armatrading, Paul Young, Bryan Adams, The Bee Gees, Salif Keita, Youssou N’Dour, Sly & Robbie, Aswad, Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, UB40 and Chrissie Hynde, Hugh Masekela, Miriam Makeba, Courtney Pine, Simple Minds, Peter Gabriel, Steve van Zandt, Jerry Dammers, Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Dire Straits featuring Eric Clapton, Jessye Norman. With contributions from Whoopi Goldberg, Richard Gere, Jackson Browne, Michael Palin, Harry Enfield and a particularly emotional introduction to Dire Straits by Billy Connolly. 

Emotions ran high from the very start. Sting had been persuaded to appear even though he had a gig that night somewhere in Europe. Credit to him for going on early and getting the concert off on the right note, with his tribute to the Mothers of the Disappeared, ‘They Dance Alone’.

George Michael also went on early in the show and bravely chose to cover Stevie Wonder’s Village Ghetto Land.

Unfortunately for Stevie, and for us, the hard drive for his keyboards went missing just as he was about to take the stage. His scheduled performance was scrapped and Tracy Chapman stepped forward with her guitar and played Fast Car. Apparently, her record sales went stratospheric after this. 

Simple Minds came on and pumped up the audience with Waterfront and Alive and Kicking. The day would not have been complete without Jerry Dammers and an augmented Special AKA performing Free Nelson Mandela, with Ndonda Khuze on vocals. As the carnival vibes were ramped up, the crowd chanted The Whole World Is Watching!!

Whitney Houston won the audience over with the sheer power of her voice. Her appearance on the bill was perhaps seen as tame in the midst of the other edgier artists, but after a few of her trademark vocal somersaults, we all looked at each like, wow, this girl can sing. It was a phenomenal performance, in less than ideal conditions for her, in the open air with the temperature dropping.

Then Stevie Wonder appeared suddenly. No keyboards, just standing at the mike calling out the key changes to the band. He didn't stay long. It fell a bit flat, to be honest. 

Night fell and Billy Connolly come on to introduce Dire Straits. He told us that when the band's album went to number one in South Africa, rather than take the royalties, they said send the money to Amnesty International.

"It must break the hearts of those shits to sign the cheque every year and send it off. And as result, the boys are banned in South Africa, which is a compliment. Ladies and gentlemen, with a happy heart and a tear in either eye...Dire Straits". 

The band sounded immaculate and the emotional atmosphere was palpable as Dire Straits played Brothers In Arms. I've rarely witnessed such a charged atmosphere at a show. Maybe this clip gives some sense of what it was like. Mark Knopfler was clearly affected by it. 

The perfect end to a special day. 

The second Nelson Mandela concert, also at Wembley, after he was released from prison, was notable less for the music (although it was another bumper list of artists) and most of all because Mandela was there in person. That remains one of the most thrilling moments of my life. After 27 years in prison, he walked out on the stage and the crowd cheered for - it seemed a long time - maybe 20 minutes, before he was able to speak. 

The Anti-Apartheid movement believed that the first event increased global pressure on the South African regime to release Mandela—a move that would be the first step in releasing other political prisoners and ending the apartheid regime. It may seem crazy to believe a pop concert could really make that much difference. But there was definitely a spirit of change in the air at that time.

The Human Rights Now! concerts featuring Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Peter Gabriel, Youssou N'Dour and Tracy Chapman were another example of how rock musicians put themselves forward as advocates for political change and awareness. 

As the decade came to a close, the fall of the iron curtain across Eastern Europe was the culmination of this new sense that people did have the power to force change.