July 13, 2025, marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the dual-venue benefit concert held on July 13, 1985. Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, the event took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. It featured many of the biggest music acts of the time—Queen, U2, David Bowie, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, and more.
Broadcast live to over 150 countries and watched by an estimated 1.9 billion people, Live Aid became a defining moment in music history—not just for its legendary performances, but for its massive global impact and its demonstration of how music can unite people for a humanitarian cause.
The concert raised over $125 million for famine relief and delivered unforgettable performances that are now etched in rock history. U2’s “Bad” became iconic when Bono leapt off the stage to dance with a fan, creating a spontaneous and emotional moment of connection that helped catapult the band to superstardom. Queen’s electrifying 20-minute set, led by Freddie Mercury, is often called one of the greatest live performances ever, with the Wembley crowd clapping and singing in perfect unison during “Radio Ga Ga” and “We Are the Champions.”
Phil Collins pulled off a rare feat, performing at both venues—first in London, then flying on the Concorde to Philadelphia, making him the only artist to appear on both sides of the Atlantic. He also played drums for Eric Clapton and the reunited Led Zeppelin, further symbolizing the event’s spirit of global unity.
There were standout moments beyond the headliners: David Bowie’s stirring “Heroes”; Elton John teaming up with a young George Michael; and a surprise appearance by Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, and Ronnie Wood. The event closed with powerful all-star performances: “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in London and “We Are the World” in Philadelphia, ending on a poignant note of shared purpose and compassion.
👉 A full playlist of the live performances can be found here.
🎬 Curious how the epic Live Aid scene in Bohemian Rhapsody came together? Read this behind-the-scenes article to learn how filmmakers re-created the scale and energy of that record-breaking performance, capturing a sold-out Wembley crowd of 72,000 and a global audience of millions.
Inspired by the spirit and power of these incredible performances, Fern Stancer has created a profile with four epic climbs to honor Live Aid’s enduring legacy. The playlist uses studio versions for the climbs, while the actual live recordings from the event provide the recoveries in between.
And remember—you don’t need to wait for an anniversary to revisit this set list. This ride is a celebration of music, connection, and purpose, any time of year.
ICA members can find Fern’s profile and playlist below, along with a Spotify bucket playlist of over 160 Live Aid songs in case you want to swap in others to match your riders’ preferences.