Latest news with #JustForOneDay:TheLiveAidMusical
Leader Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Brian May: 40th anniversary of Live Aid ‘bittersweet' without Freddie Mercury
The British rock band, known for songs including We Will Rock You and Bohemian Rhapsody, were among a star-studded line-up of musicians who performed at the two-venue benefit concert on July 13 1985, which raised funds for the Ethiopian famine. Speaking to the PA news agency ahead of a special gala performance of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, the 77-year-old Queen guitarist said: 'We don't have Freddie anymore, but in a sense, he's still with us, because every day we refer to him and think about him, you wonder what he would be thinking. 'This is special. Of course, it was very much Freddie's day. He shone, he just became interstellar at that moment. 'Yes, it is bittersweet, but mainly sweet because this is good vibes in a world which seems to be going off into a terrible place and becoming more and more selfish and more corrupt, more cruel. 'This is important to emphasise, this wonderful endeavour to feed the world. 'You know, it's still there. Still needs doing.' The flamboyant and charismatic frontman of Queen, who was lauded for his impressive vocal range, died at the age of 45 in 1991 after suffering with bronchial pneumonia resulting from Aids. The band's Live Aid set at Wembley Stadium, which is remembered as one of their most memorable performances, was recreated in the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic of Mercury's life.
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Rock stars reunite for Live Aid's 40th anniversary
Sir Bob Geldof of The Boomtown Rats performs during the gala performance after party. Musicians who performed at Live Aid, the transatlantic concert that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia, have reunited in London to mark the event's 40th anniversary, attending a special performance of the musical Just For One Day. Queen guitarist Sir Brian May. Photo: Reuters Among the stars gathered at Shaftesbury Theatre on Sunday were Live Aid organisers Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, musician Nik Kershaw and actor Vanessa Williams. On that day in 1985, some of the biggest names in music came together for the televised international charity show, held simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. An estimated 1.5 billion people globally watched Live Aid via live satellite broadcasts. The event raised about $US100 million ($NZ167 million) and spawned similar events all over the world for decades afterwards. Irish rocker and activist Geldof told Reuters that Live Aid was still important because it showed the power of collaborative action. "And today in the age of the death of kindness, which [US President Donald] Trump, [Vice President J.D.] Vance and [Elon] Musk have ushered in, it probably resonates all the more strongly," Geldof said. David Bowie performing at the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in 1985. The musicians attended a performance of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, a behind-the-scenes stage musical featuring songs from Sunday's attendees as well as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Madonna, Sir Elton John and Sir Paul McCartney. The musical, which had a run at London's Old Vic in 2024, transferred to the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End in May. It is produced with the permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which gets 10% from the sales of all tickets. Queen's Freddie Mercury and Brian May on stage at Wembley. "It made me very emotional at the time. Even thinking about it now makes me emotional," May told Reuters, referring to Live Aid in 1985. Queen's performance that day at Wembley Stadium is widely regarded as a landmark concert in rock music history. "There has never been a day like that in my life," May said.
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Bangkok Post
Bob Geldof and Brian May mark Live Aid's 40th at London musical
LONDON - Musicians who performed at Live Aid, the transatlantic concert that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia, reunited in London on Sunday to mark the event's 40th anniversary, attending a special performance of the musical "Just For One Day". Among the stars gathered at Shaftesbury Theatre were Live Aid organisers Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Queen guitarist Brian May, musician Nik Kershaw and actor Vanessa Williams. On this day in 1985, some of the biggest names in music came together for the televised international charity show, held simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. An estimated 1.5 billion people globally watched Live Aid via live satellite broadcasts. The event raised about $100 million and spawned similar events all over the world for decades afterwards. Irish rocker and activist Geldof told Reuters that Live Aid was still important because it showed the power of collaborative action. "And today in the age of the death of kindness, which [U.S. President Donald] Trump, [Vice President J.D.] Vance and Musk have ushered in, it probably resonates all the more strongly," Geldof said. The musicians attended a performance of "Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical", a behind-the-scenes stage musical featuring songs from Sunday's attendees as well as Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Madonna, Elton John and Paul McCartney. The musical, which had a run at London's Old Vic in 2024, transferred to the Shaftesbury Theatre in London's West End in May. It is produced with the permission of the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which gets 10% from the sales of all tickets. "It made me very emotional at the time. Even thinking about it now makes me emotional," May told Reuters, referring to Live Aid in 1985. Queen's performance that day at Wembley Stadium is widely regarded as a landmark concert in rock music history. "There has never been a day like that in my life," May said.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sir Bob Geldof says he can't watch Live Aid despite it still 'resonating' today
Live Aid co-founders Sir Bob Geldof and Midge Ure have reflected on the initial concert, which took place in 1985, that has inspired Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical Sir Bob Geldof has reflected on the impact of Live Aid as the charity initiative celebrates its 40th anniversary this week. He's suggested that it still resonates decades later and recalled the acts who took place as having been "exceptional". Bob, 73, highlighted the ongoing significance of the concert in a recent interview. The musician pointed to the documentaries, radio shows and even a musical inspired by the events of July 13, 1985, "when something weird happened". Speaking to PA news agency before a special gala performance of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, he recounted his recent experience at an Oasis gig in Manchester. He said: "I was at Oasis last night in Manchester, who were staggeringly brilliant. So I'm buzzing, and I'm still amazed that this old guy can be so thrilled by a great rock and roll band." Bob then reminisced about the spirit of Live Aid, where some of the biggest acts performed. He said: "But imagine 40 years ago, seeing all of the greatest rock and roll bands, one after the other, being exceptional for free, no contracts with anyone, they had to pay their own plane fares." He also noted the camaraderie among the artists, saying: "For some reason, the performances were 'other', just like the day itself. They rose way above and everyone hung around to watch each other." Despite its significance, Bob revealed he's never watched Live Aid. He said: "I've never seen it because I can't watch or listen to myself. I can't stand all the stupid things I say. However, he did see the finale recently, sharing: "But I saw the end of Live Aid two weeks ago, which was the Christmas song." He compared the closing scene to a chaotic school play, teasing: "And here are the greatest creative talents of the rock era, and it's like the worst ever nativity play in school, like the kids haven't learned the lines, the teachers are going nuts, and they all hung around. They wouldn't leave." Bob went on to say that the "sheer improbable exhilaration" of the concert is "what resonates" still, adding: "It's a time when Britain did something profound with their American brothers." He suggested that it "resonates particularly now" due to being in "the sort of age of the death of kindness". He added that it resonates "more" than when it was "possible for the boys and girls with guitars to corral the political and economic structures of the world". He also encouraged "the entire electorate and population" to give over money that would help the situation. Bob said: "I think that's why you've got musicals. It's why you've got documentaries, it's why you've got whole stations dedicated to that day 40 years ago when something weird happened." Co-founder Midge Ure, 71, told PA about the bewilderment they felt during the event: "We were in the middle of this. We couldn't see just how big this thing was. It's like being in the middle of a cyclone or a hurricane or whatever. It's all going on around you. There's a weird stillness because you're dealing with the nuts and bolts of the daily process. [...] It seems to have grown over the last 40 years. It's now a historic, social moment." Established by Bob and Midge, the initiative took off with the Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? in December 1984. It featured a host of celebrities and topped the UK singles chart at the time. In July that year, concerts took place in the US and London, with the latter gig attended by Princess Diana and the now King Charles III. They watched performances from the likes of Sir Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Spandau Ballet and Queen. The broadcast was viewed by an estimated audience of over 1.5 billion, sparking similar concerts worldwide inspired by the initiative. The US concert took place at the John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, featuring performances from Crosby, Stills, Nash And Young, The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Sir Mick Jagger and Tina Turner. A musical centred around Live Aid, featuring songs from Sir Elton John, Bowie and Queen, made its debut at The Old Vic theatre in January last year. It's currently running at the West End's Shaftesbury Theatre.
South Wales Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Brian May: 40th anniversary of Live Aid ‘bittersweet' without Freddie Mercury
The British rock band, known for songs including We Will Rock You and Bohemian Rhapsody, were among a star-studded line-up of musicians who performed at the two-venue benefit concert on July 13 1985, which raised funds for the Ethiopian famine. Speaking to the PA news agency ahead of a special gala performance of Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical, the 77-year-old Queen guitarist said: 'We don't have Freddie anymore, but in a sense, he's still with us, because every day we refer to him and think about him, you wonder what he would be thinking. 'This is special. Of course, it was very much Freddie's day. He shone, he just became interstellar at that moment. 'Yes, it is bittersweet, but mainly sweet because this is good vibes in a world which seems to be going off into a terrible place and becoming more and more selfish and more corrupt, more cruel. 'This is important to emphasise, this wonderful endeavour to feed the world. 'You know, it's still there. Still needs doing.' The flamboyant and charismatic frontman of Queen, who was lauded for his impressive vocal range, died at the age of 45 in 1991 after suffering with bronchial pneumonia resulting from Aids. The band's Live Aid set at Wembley Stadium, which is remembered as one of their most memorable performances, was recreated in the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, a biopic of Mercury's life.
