LOS ANGELES (Warner Strategic Marketing) - Live Aid, the 1985 concert that featured artists such as U2, Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney, Queen,
David Bowie, The Pretenders, The Who, Elton John, Santana, Madonna, Tom Petty, Sting,
Bob Dylan and many more, is finally available on a 4-disc DVD set. Proceeds benefit the
Band Aid Trust, which continues to provide direct relief in famine-affected countries in Africa.
Live Aid was masterminded by Sir Bob Geldof and realized through a 16-hour music marathon held on July 13, 1985. The concert was broadcast around the world to an audience of 1.5 billion, ultimately raising over $140 million for the African famine relief. Beyond the direct aid rendered, the concert changed the world's perception of Africa and raised global awareness of hunger issues, and is considered by many to be "rock 'n' roll's finest hour."
Cited as the second most memorable event in two generations, and as the single greatest moment in the 50-year history of rock 'n' roll, beating not only the launch of MTV and Elvis' first record, but also the seminal festival of the '60s, Woodstock, Live Aid changed the global political agenda forever.
Even today, after almost 20 years, the line up of stars put together by Bob Geldof in a matter of months remains both remarkable and unsurpassed. It is a who's who of contemporary music; united in their unequivocal support for Live Aid to prevent mass death for starving people.
"Twenty years ago they not only played 'real good for free' they took an issue that was nowhere on the agenda of the political world and placed it at the very top," stated Geldof of the participation of some of the greatest artists in the world. "They also kept, directly or indirectly, millions of people alive and in so doing they reminded 1.5 billion people that individuals are not powerless in the face of monstrous human tragedy. By buying the 'Live Aid' DVD that day continues far off into some distant but hopefully better future for all those people in whose name those great artists played."
Special DVD features include the documentary "Food, Trucks & Rock 'n' Roll," covering Band Aid, USA For Africa ("We Are The World"), and Live Aid.
