Bob Geldof Reveals David Bowie's Live Aid Performance Sparked Donation Surge, Not Queen's

July 15, 2025
Bob Geldof Reveals David Bowie's Live Aid Performance Sparked Donation Surge, Not Queen's
  • Bob Geldof clarified that during Live Aid, it was David Bowie's performance that triggered a surge in donations, not Queen's set led by Freddie Mercury, with the telephone lines collapsing after Bowie's act.

  • Live Aid, organized by Geldof and Midge Ure, ultimately raised over $150 million for Ethiopian famine relief, with an estimated 1.5 billion viewers across more than 150 countries.

  • The historic concert took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, featuring iconic artists like U2, Elton John, and The Who.

  • On the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, celebrated on July 13, 2025, Geldof reflected in an interview with The New York Times about the event held in 1985, emphasizing its global impact and fundraising success.

  • The earlier Band Aid single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' raised around $9 million, inspiring the 'We Are the World' single, which became the fastest-selling single in history, raising over $80 million.

  • Geldof recalled that Bowie’s decision to show a CBC report on Ethiopia during his performance of 'Heroes' deeply moved the audience and significantly boosted donations, as Bowie urged viewers to contribute.

Summary based on 4 sources


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