Rediscovered: Unseen Live Aid Photos That Capture History
THE DAY THE WORLD ROCKED: A Photographic Journey Through Live Aid
It's a day that will forever be etched in the annals of music history - July 13, 1985, the date of the most iconic charity concert of all time, Live Aid. As I made my way down the bustling Wembley Way on that fateful Saturday morning, I knew I was about to witness something truly extraordinary.
The likes of Queen, U2, and David Bowie were set to take to the stage in a bid to raise funds for famine victims in Ethiopia. Little did anyone know that this extravaganza would go on to captivate a global audience of nearly two billion people - an astonishing 40% of the world's population!
As a photographer from a humble south coast newspaper, I was initially met with skepticism by my bosses back at the office. "What's the point?" they asked, underestimating the magnitude of this event. But I knew that this was no ordinary gig, and I was determined to capture every moment on camera.
The accreditation process for the press pit was a nightmare, but I wasn't about to let that stop me. After all, who needs credentials when you've got £5 and a Widelux camera? That's right, folks - I bought my ticket, donated £20 (equivalent to a whopping £100 today) to charity, and set off with two Nikon cameras, long lenses, and a Manfrotto tripod. I must have looked like a seasoned pro as I wove through the crowds and made my way into Wembley Stadium.
In a bizarre twist of fate, I was actually helped onto the pitch by a security guard - yes, you read that right! The only hint of chaos in an otherwise meticulously planned event. Unlike other concerts at Wembley, where the crowd trickles in over a few hours, Live Aid fans were bursting through the gates like there was no tomorrow.
As I staked out my spot next to the mixing desk, midway between the touchlines, I couldn't help but feel like I was part of something special. And boy, was I right! The hazy air was filled with the sweet scent of cigarette smoke (yes, they allowed smoking back then), and not even a brief rain shower could dampen the electric atmosphere.
The setlist was nothing short of phenomenal - who could forget Freddie Mercury's electrifying performance with Queen, or Paul McCartney's first gig in six years? The Who reformed for the occasion, and the spine-tingling rendition of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" still sends shivers down my spine. Even Elvis Costello made a cameo appearance, belting out a single song to fill the time while the crew changed kit between acts - talk about pulling strings!
Of course, with great talent comes great technical issues. Poor Nik Kershaw forgot his words mid-performance (oops!), while Bryan Ferry had to resort to singing into two microphones taped together after his set was beset by audio woes. Noel Edmonds introduced Phil Collins only for Sting to walk out on stage instead (awkward much?!), and U2's guitarist, The Edge, later confessed that their performance was a bit of a "c**p" show.
But it was this very unpredictability that made Live Aid so unforgettable - the raw energy, the sheer chaos, the sense of camaraderie among the performers and audience alike. My photos, which I'm thrilled to be publishing in my new book, Live Aid Relived, capture some of that magic. With a foreword by none other than Sir Brian May and words from renowned royal biographer Robert Hardman, this is more than just a photo album - it's a treasure trove of memories.
As Sir Brian himself says, "These shots are a compendium of precious memories." And I couldn't agree more. So grab your copy of Live Aid Relived (available exclusively at music2you for £29.95) and relive the day that will forever be etched in rock 'n' roll history.
Catch the BBC's Live Aid highlights on Saturday, July 13, starting at 6pm on BBC2, as part of their special two-part broadcast, Live Aid At 40: The Concert.
