Secrets of Live Aid revealed 40 years on including mortifying moment for Bob Geldof & how stars gate-crashed wedding

The Sun

12-07-2025

WHEN Paula Yates' two-year-old daughter Fifi presented Princess Diana with a limp bunch of flowers at Live Aid, the cute moment soon turned into a mortifying spectacle.
Watching on in horror, Paula realised she had failed to remove the petrol station tag from the wrapper — but thankfully both women descended into giggles.
8
8
It is just one of the remarkable moments remembered by journalist Robin Eggar, who was given special backstage access on the day.
Robin, who also had a prized seat just behind the Royal Box at Wembley Stadium on July 13, said: 'It was a hilarious moment. The sticker was still very visible and Diana was very polite in accepting them — there were smiles and laughter.
'She was a big fan of pop music and was clearly enjoying the day.'
Live Aid was the biggest charity music extravaganza of all time, jointly arranged by the late Paula's then-husband Bob Geldof.
The two-venue benefit concert was watched by 1.9billion people worldwide, raising £150million for famine relief in Ethiopia and starring almost 100 acts and star presenters in the UK and in Philadelphia in the States.
Speaking ahead of the ­concert's 40th anniversary, Robin said: 'The atmosphere was a bit like the dads' race at a kids' sports day — it was competitive, but everyone tried to look like they weren't competing.
'Getting the stars there was a logistical nightmare so they were flown in by helicopter from Battersea Heliport.
'The only place it could land was a cricket pitch near the stadium.
'Every time the helicopter landed, the bemused cricketers, who were mid-game, would have to rush off. Then they'd have four or five overs before the next helicopter landed.
'There was also a wedding party in the pavilion, who were wondering what the hell was going on as Freddie Mercury walked past. Quite a few health and safety rules were likely broken.
'But that is why it all worked. It would've been impossible to get them all there by car or the Tube.'
Inside, the stars took over a giant backstage area, where the Hard Rock Cafe had built a huge restaurant to feed all the workers for free.
Robin said: 'Everyone was excited, hugging and chatting. I remember Freddie joking with Midge Ure and winding him up saying, 'You're that lovely boy from the Boomtown Rats', pretending to mix him up with Bob Geldof.
'Amazing atmosphere'
'Next to the free burgers were huge charity buckets, and if anyone put in £20 they were deemed a cheapskate, so it ended up costing about £50 for a burger.
'Robbie Coltrane was auctioning off his favourite car, Jools Holland joked that he would donate £100,000 if Paula Yates offered him 'executive relief'. There was a lot of drinking. It was an amazing atmosphere.'
On stage, the performances had to run like clockwork. Each was given exactly 18 minutes.
There was also a wedding party in the pavilion, who were wondering what the hell was going on as Freddie Mercury walked past. Quite a few health and safety rules were likely broken
The bands lined up on a 'conveyor belt-like stage', with technicians preparing the next act on a circular stage while another played, so the music was endless.
Robin added: 'The drummer from Ultravox was so relaxed he had to be woken up to go on stage.
'There was drama backstage after Paul McCartney's mic stand collapsed mid-set, and Sting went on stage without his band so it was just him and his acoustic guitar.
'U2 were down to do four songs but only played two because Bono spent most of his time dancing with a girl on stage.
'There was a strange moment when Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens turned up and said, 'I'm here to play to the world' but he wasn't allowed to play.
'But there was no doubt the star of the show was Freddie ­Mercury and Queen. They did all their hits in a medley, which they had rehearsed for two weeks.
'Freddie was the person everyone wanted to be around backstage.'
Robin added: 'It was an incredible day to observe up close.'
MAGICAL DAY IN SNAPS
By Jane Atkinson
VETERAN showbiz snapper Dave Hogan has travelled the world taking photos of A-listers – but he says ­nothing compares to Live Aid.
He was at Wembley Stadium 40 years ago today for the 1985 event organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
8
Following the Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? the event raised around £150million to relieve the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia
A host of stars performed including Status Quo, Adam Ant, Sade Sting, U2, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Phil Collins and Paul McCartney.
Geldof's Boomtown Rats played I Don't Like Mondays.
Award-winning Dave — nicknamed Hogie — joined The Sun in 1980 and says: 'These were the biggest stars in the world, but there was a sign up that said, 'Check your ego before you go on stage'.
'That, to me, summed up the occasion. This wasn't about them — it was about thinking of others.
'There had never been ­anything as big before. And nothing has been as big since.'
As an official photographer, Hogie had access to the stage.
He says: 'Looking back it's surreal. There weren't the safety checks we have today.
'There were no mobile phones — just 72,000 people fully focused on what was happening on stage. It was magical.'
Hogie's photos captured the magical day.
Here he shares five of his favourites.
ROCKIN' ALL QUOVER THE WORLD
THE atmosphere was mesmerising from the very start.
It was amazing that the day had come together, with stars who were just massive.
8
And Status Quo kicking it off with Rockin' All Over The World was the anthem to that.
This is ­Francis Rossi during Quo's opening set.
Live Aid really was one of the highlights of my career.
BONO SAVES CRUSH FAN
BONO jumped into the crowd to help a 15-year-old girl who was being crushed . . . and danced with her as U2 kept playing.
It kind of summed up why we were there, just all trying to help in some way.
8
Then Bono couldn't get back on the stage – it was funny to see.
FRED'S A KIND OF MAGIC
THIS is Freddie on stage during Queen's famous set but mainly, for me, this reminds me of the crowd that day.
Over the years I photographed Freddie on more than one occasion, but the way the crowd reacted to him at Live Aid was just amazing.
8
He was a legend and every single person there on the day would agree.
TWO BLOKES, ROCK GODS
THERE'S something about this I love.
You would think they're just two blokes having a chat.
8
But it's Bowie and Macca – rock gods.
The picture speaks volumes, too.
Everybody mucked in that day for a single cause, no matter how famous they were.
WHO IS HE?
BONO had a can of Heineken in his hand and started talking with two policewomen backstage.
They were lovely and chatted away to him.
But when he left, one of them turned and asked me: 'Who is he?'
WEMBLEY LINE-UP
Status Quo
The Style Council
The Boomtown Rats
Adam Ant
Ultravox
Spandau Ballet
Elvis Costello
Nik Kershaw
Sade
Sting & Phil Collins (with Branford Marsalis)
Howard Jones
Bryan Ferry (with David Gilmour)
Paul Young
Alison Moyet
U2
Dire Straits
Queen
David Bowie
The Who
Elton John (with Kiki Dee & Wham!)
Freddie Mercury
Brian May
Paul McCartney (with David Bowie, Bob Geldof, Alison Moyet & Pete Townshend)
Band Aid (Do They Know It's Christmas ensemble)