A Better Future…
Nineteen years later and after months of rumours and speculation, Warner Vision International has at last confirmed the release date and content breakdown of the forthcoming Live Aid 4-DVD set, now scheduled for a November release.
Here’s a bit from Warner Music International:
Warner Vision International is proud to announce that the biggest concert in Rock n’ Roll history, Live Aid, will be released on DVD world-wide on November 1st, 2004. The unforgettable global event, staged in London and Philadelphia on Saturday 13, July 1985, was watched on television by over 1.5 billion people around the world. These concerts led to pledged donations and royalties of over $140 million towards the devastating famine in Africa.
Billed as The Greatest Show on Earth, Live Aid was described by the world’s media as ‘The Global Jukebox’, ‘The Day Rock and Roll Changed the World’ and ‘The greatest live show ever’.
Live Aid was cited as the second most memorable event in two generations and was recently defined, in a consumer poll, 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 topping the poll ahead of the seminal festival of the 60’s, Woodstock.
Live Aid, the greatest artists playing the greatest music for the world’s poorest people and changing the global political agenda forever.
Live Aid was uniquely staged simultaneously on two continents and features an unbelievable line up of major Rock & Pop acts that took to the stage in July 1985 at London’s Wembley and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadiums.
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.
The extraordinary line-up includes: U2, Sting, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, The Who, Madonna, Queen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath, Spandau Ballet, Dire Straits, Paul Weller, Sade, Paul Young, Adam Ant, The Boomtown Rats, The Cars, Bryan Ferry, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Beach Boys, Judas Priest, The Style Council, Simple Minds, Thompson Twins, Nile Rodgers, Hall & Oates, Status Quo, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Howard Jones, Teddy Pendergrass, Alison Moyet and Kenny Logins.
Since that great day this historic concert footage has remained locked away and the announcement of its imminent DVD release is therefore indeed momentous. Unscrupulous bootleggers have tried to sell the concert on the black market but have been shut down and prosecuted on a number of occasions.
This has forced the Band Aid Trust to seek permission from all the artists to be included in the four-disc Live Aid set, an eventuality that was never anticipated at the time of Live Aid.
Now in time for the 20th anniversary of Live Aid and after 19 years in the vaults, Warner Vision International will release those unforgettable performances on a Live Aid, 4 DVD package out on 1st November.
Currently in production with the master videotapes and over 10 hours of performances the DVD will be superbly presented and re-mastered in multi-channel surround sound and stereo audio options. Within the set additional gems include the “Food, Trucks & Rock ‘n’ Roll” documentary (sub-titled in 8 languages) and inspirational Live Aid performances from other parts of the globe.
Bob Geldof had this to say: “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. 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.”
Since the concert the Band Aid Trust in the UK alone has raised over $50 million and continues to operate in famine affected countries in Africa.
BowieNetters will remember David’s performance included TVC15, Rebel Rebel, Modern Love and “Heroes”, all to be included in this set, as is every other performance apart from Led Zeppelin‘s which the band were unhappy to include. There seems to be something about being an ex-Yardbird that ensures ego triumphs over rock history. Whatever happened to The Jean Genie/Love Me Do and Round And Round on Ziggy Stardust The Motion Picture. Grrrrr.
Anyway, Bowie fans will be pleased to learn that the Band Aid UK Finale of Do They Know It?s Christmas? and the exclusive Live Aid Bowie & Jagger Dancing In The Streets video are also included.
Live Aid is currently scheduled to hit the shops on November 8th. You can view the complete breakdown of the 4-disc set over at