When one thinks of the historic Live Aid concerts in 1985, images of Freddy Mercury belting out the Queen classic Radio Ga Ga to an insatiable audience come to mind.
Or perhaps it is the Starman himself, David Bowie, having the crowd pogoing along to his rousing hit Rebel Rebel. Others may look to Sir Paul McCartney, who led a mass singalong of the Beatles' Let It Be – even if it was slightly marred by technical difficulties.
The point is, most of the indelible performances we associate with Live Aid are linked to the London showpiece and not its sister event in Philadelphia.
That is a pity, as the Stateside event at John F Kennedy Stadium packed just as much star power as the Wembley Stadium gigs, with performances taking on more resonance over the decades.
These include the original line-up of Black Sabbath, reuniting for the first time in nearly a decade – a moment that reached its conclusion with their final show in London this month. A Beach Boys performance featuring late members Brian Wilson – who died last month – and Carl Wilson, as well as a fiery set by the late Tina Turner, which included a brilliant duet with Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger.
Other members of the Rolling Stones, guitarists Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, were also special guests during Bob Dylan's set.
With Sunday marking the 40th anniversary of the charity concerts, which were organised to raise awareness and funds for the devastating famine in Ethiopia, here are eight of the most memorable American sets, for better or worse.
1. Black Sabbath
Live Aid attempted to unite the world in a common cause, as well as a fractious heavy metal band. Six years since last playing together, Black Sabbath's original line-up of singer Ozzy Osbourne, guitarist Tony Iommi, bassist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward teamed up for what was billed as a one-off performance.
The tension between warring band members was almost palpable on screen and the band delivered a professional set of dark rockers including Children of the Grave and Iron Man. The set ended with a spirited take of the rousing Paranoid.
2. Duran Duran
The British pop group certainly put the “live” in Live Aid with a notorious vocal mishap during a rendition of the hit A View to a Kill.
A warning sign was there with singer Simon Le Bon's unusually hoarse voice. He lost total control of his melodic gifts in the chorus with a moment the press dubbed as “the bum note heard around the world”. Perhaps the strain reflected the ructions within the band, as Duran Duran's four-song set – featuring crowd favourites Union of the Snake, Save a Prayer and The Reflex – being one of the last times the original line-up performed together until 2003.
3. Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin’s inclusion established the music credentials of Live Aid. A major draw card to the estimated 1.9 billion people following the television broadcast, the event was the first time the band’s surviving members performed since the death of drummer John Bonham in 1980.
The time between gigs showed with the group delivering such a notoriously shambolic set, with Genesis drummer/singer Phil Collins inexplicably filling in on the drums, that they withheld its inclusion in future DVD releases of the event.
While concert footage is not available on official social media channels, you can find the unofficial accounts on YouTube and revel in its infamy.
4. Madonna
When it comes to Madonna's appearance at Live Aid, the hype was real. With breakthrough album Like A Virgin released a year prior, the then 26-year-old rising star was full of energy when performing infectious hits Holiday, Into the Groove and Love Makes the World Go Round.
Her performance not only went some way in quelling criticism regarding her stage presence, but also remains a refreshing reminder of a young and effervescent artist on the cusp of superstardom.
5. Run DMC
Live Aid played an unsung role in hip-hop's elevation in popular culture.
With the genre barely a decade old at the time, it was then represented on arguably its biggest yet with Run DMC being the sole hip-hop act in the line-up. Then again, this was no musical act of charity. The trio were one of the most exciting live acts at the time, thus ensuring a younger audience tuning in to watch the broadcast featuring a blistering version of King of Rock.
6. Simple Minds
Scottish band Simple Minds' 15-minute set made them stars. In the lead-up to the mammoth gig, the song Don't You (Forget About Me) had become the group's first US chart-topper and the Live Aid performance helped propel the band from arty rockers to arena fillers.
“Minutes before we went on stage we went into a little huddle and our manager at the time told us: 'This is your chance. This is your Mount Everest. Are you going to show them what you can do or will you blow it?'” singer Jim Kerr told The National. “We realised pretty quickly that we had to deliver, even though there was no warm-up or soundcheck. We knew we were not going to be totally comfortable on stage, but we went out and did it. Good memories.”
7. The Beach Boys
They may have been past their commercial peak at the time, but the Beach Boys brought the feel-good factor to the proceedings. With enigmatic member Brian Wilson joining on guitar, they delivered a sparkling set of sun-kissed hits including California Girl, Help Me Rhonda, Wouldn't Be Nice and Surfin' USA. The highlight was Good Vibrations, which remains one of pop music's most dazzling and weirdest songs released.
8. The Cars
For some reason, The Cars' lovelorn synth ballad Drive was chosen to soundtrack a promotional video montage showcasing the famine in Ethiopia. Perhaps the reason why was the US band were one of the biggest acts at the time and rolled into Live Aid on the back of their biggest-selling album Heartbeat City.
Performing the hits You Might Think, Just What I Needed and the aforementioned Drive, the set remains The Cars' biggest performance.
A version of this story was first published on July 12, 2024
BIGGEST CYBER SECURITY INCIDENTS IN RECENT TIMES
SolarWinds supply chain attack: Came to light in December 2020 but had taken root for several months, compromising major tech companies, governments and its entities
Microsoft Exchange server exploitation: March 2021; attackers used a vulnerability to steal emails
Kaseya attack: July 2021; ransomware hit perpetrated REvil, resulting in severe downtime for more than 1,000 companies
Log4j breach: December 2021; attackers exploited the Java-written code to inflitrate businesses and governments
Tips to stay safe during hot weather
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids, especially water. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, which can increase dehydration.
- Seek cool environments: Use air conditioning, fans, or visit community spaces with climate control.
- Limit outdoor activities: Avoid strenuous activity during peak heat. If outside, seek shade and wear a wide-brimmed hat.
- Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose and light-coloured clothing to facilitate heat loss.
- Check on vulnerable people: Regularly check in on elderly neighbours, young children and those with health conditions.
- Home adaptations: Use blinds or curtains to block sunlight, avoid using ovens or stoves, and ventilate living spaces during cooler hours.
- Recognise heat illness: Learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke (dizziness, confusion, rapid pulse, nausea), and seek medical attention if symptoms occur.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The five pillars of Islam
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
No more lice
Defining head lice
Pediculus humanus capitis are tiny wingless insects that feed on blood from the human scalp. The adult head louse is up to 3mm long, has six legs, and is tan to greyish-white in colour. The female lives up to four weeks and, once mature, can lay up to 10 eggs per day. These tiny nits firmly attach to the base of the hair shaft, get incubated by body heat and hatch in eight days or so.
Identifying lice
Lice can be identified by itching or a tickling sensation of something moving within the hair. One can confirm that a person has lice by looking closely through the hair and scalp for nits, nymphs or lice. Head lice are most frequently located behind the ears and near the neckline.
Treating lice at home
Head lice must be treated as soon as they are spotted. Start by checking everyone in the family for them, then follow these steps. Remove and wash all clothing and bedding with hot water. Apply medicine according to the label instructions. If some live lice are still found eight to 12 hours after treatment, but are moving more slowly than before, do not re-treat. Comb dead and remaining live lice out of the hair using a fine-toothed comb.
After the initial treatment, check for, comb and remove nits and lice from hair every two to three days. Soak combs and brushes in hot water for 10 minutes.Vacuum the floor and furniture, particularly where the infested person sat or lay.
Courtesy Dr Vishal Rajmal Mehta, specialist paediatrics, RAK Hospital
FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
RACE SCHEDULE
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Friday, September 29
First practice: 7am - 8.30am
Second practice: 11am - 12.30pm
Saturday, September 30
Qualifying: 1pm - 2pm
Sunday, October 1
Race: 11am - 1pm
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
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More on Quran memorisation:
Conflict, drought, famine
Estimates of the number of deaths caused by the famine range from 400,000 to 1 million, according to a document prepared for the UK House of Lords in 2024.
It has been claimed that the policies of the Ethiopian government, which took control after deposing Emperor Haile Selassie in a military-led revolution in 1974, contributed to the scale of the famine.
Dr Miriam Bradley, senior lecturer in humanitarian studies at the University of Manchester, has argued that, by the early 1980s, “several government policies combined to cause, rather than prevent, a famine which lasted from 1983 to 1985. Mengistu’s government imposed Stalinist-model agricultural policies involving forced collectivisation and villagisation [relocation of communities into planned villages].
The West became aware of the catastrophe through a series of BBC News reports by journalist Michael Buerk in October 1984 describing a “biblical famine” and containing graphic images of thousands of people, including children, facing starvation.
Band Aid
Bob Geldof, singer with the Irish rock group The Boomtown Rats, formed Band Aid in response to the horrific images shown in the news broadcasts.
With Midge Ure of the band Ultravox, he wrote the hit charity single Do They Know it’s Christmas in December 1984, featuring a string of high-profile musicians.
Following the single’s success, the idea to stage a rock concert evolved.
Live Aid was a series of simultaneous concerts that took place at Wembley Stadium in London, John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, the US, and at various other venues across the world.
The combined event was broadcast to an estimated worldwide audience of 1.5 billion.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
In numbers
- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100
- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100
- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India
- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100
- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth
Indoor cricket in a nutshell
Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai
16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side
8 There are eight players per team
9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.
5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls
4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership
Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.
Zones
A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs
B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run
C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs
D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
