Latest news with #faminerelief
CNN
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘The whole world came together': CNN reporter on top moments from Live Aid
Forty years ago this summer, a joint concert event between London and Philadelphia came together for famine relief in Africa. CNN entertainment reporter Lisa France reflects on some of the top moments from the iconic Live Aid performances.
CNN
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘The whole world came together': CNN reporter on top moments from Live Aid
Forty years ago this summer, a joint concert event between London and Philadelphia came together for famine relief in Africa. CNN entertainment reporter Lisa France reflects on some of the top moments from the iconic Live Aid performances.
Khaleej Times
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
When Dubai Ruler donated millions to Live Aid 1985 concert to save Ethiopia from famine
In 1985, humanity came together for a charitable event, the likes of which was never seen before at this scale. The Live Aid concert sought to raise funds for Ethopia famine relief; its biggest donation came from Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. At a time when streaming was not the buzzword it is today, nearly 2 billion people from 150 nations watched the concert live 40 years ago. The transatlantic event was one of the largest television broadcasts of all time. Some of the biggest names in music, such as Queen, U2, David Bowie, Elton John and Bob Geldof, performed on stage for the televised international charity show, held simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. What prompted the concert? In the early 1980s, the world looked on in horror at images of dying famine victims in Ethiopia. Ethiopia was hit by extreme drought, but that spiralled into famine as the hardline Marxist government of Mengistu Haile Mariam battled rebels led by Meles Zenawi, who went on to become the country's leader. A Human Rights Watch report entitled "Evil Days: 30 Years of War and Famine in Ethiopia" set the estimated famine death toll at between 400,000 and 1 million. The world sensed an urge to intervene. How did it go? While Live Aid unfolded with renowned musicians performing alternately in the UK and the US, donations were falling short of the scale and spirit of the event—causing widespread frustration among the organisers. Despite the massive global reach, the first few hours of the event saw disappointingly low donations coming in via telephone pledges—a problem that nearly undermined the concert's mission. Many argued that donating via the telephone was not popular enough at that time and people dealt with Live Aid more like a musical event, not an urgent call for help. At that time, donations did not exceed 10 thousand sterling pounds. Sheikh Mohammed steps in Just as the mega charity event was at a risk of failure, Sheikh Mohammed, who is also Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, stepped in and donated a whopping one million sterling pounds. As per British diplomatic correspondence, the Dubai Ruler was following the concert at his Majlis in London. At first, Live Aid organisers were in shock and doubted the news of the royal's generous contribution, but an official call with Sheikh Mohammed's London office confirmed the news. The donation rekindled interest in the campaign and donors worldwide began to give money. In total, the event raised about $100 million and spawned similar events all over the world for decades afterwards.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U2's Bono Regrets This 1 Thing About His 1985 Live Aid Charity Concert Performance
Forty years after Live Aid, U2's Bono recalled the 'bad hair day' he had during the charity concert in London in 1985 'One of the most famous moments of your life and your activism, you've got a mullet,' Bono, 65, said in the new Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World documentary Funds raised from Live Aid benefitted famine relief in EthiopiaImagine having a bad hair day with nearly 2 billion sets of eyes on you. Forty years after people from 150 nations tuned in to watch Live Aid, U2's Bono is recalling this happening to him at the 1985 charity concert. 'I can't look back at this moment with two eyes because it was such a bad hair day … honestly, one of the most famous moments of your life and your activism, you've got a mullet,' Bono, 65, revealed in the new Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took on the World documentary. The documentary, which premiered on the BBC on July 6, debuted on CNN on July 13 — exactly 40 years after Live Aid took place simultaneously at London's Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia's John F. Kennedy Stadium on July 13, 1985. An estimated 1.9 billion people — nearly 40% of the global population at the time — watched the concert benefiting famine relief in Ethiopia. Bono was among the many celebrities who performed to help raise 'tens of billions of dollars' for the cause. Bono performed a quick set with U2, as well as a group rendition of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' with Wham's George Michael, The Beatles' Paul McCartney, Queen's Freddie Mercury and many others. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On the World 'tells the definitive story of how two rockstars inspired the largest global music events in history,' the four-part documentary's logline reads. The logline adds that the documentary features interviews with Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof, Bono, Sting, Patti LaBelle, Phil Collins and Lionel Richie, as well as with global leaders such as George W. Bush, Condoleezza Rice, President Obasanjo and Tony Blair. Read the original article on People
