LIVE AID Changed Music Forever – Here’s What Happened After

[{"selector":"#anim-a1cf8102-f3c6-43bc-b35d-482c02541e08 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.293212704297414%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] On July 13, 1985, over 1.9 billion watched stars like Madonna, Queen & Elton John raise money for Ethiopia.

[{"selector":"#anim-e068d34d-82df-4123-bb86-88c77917aa47 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-19.736216546398566%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Queen's 20-minute Wembley performance became iconic. Freddie Mercury died in 1991

[{"selector":"#anim-7728c5fd-06c5-4181-b5e5-8daaec83aa5b [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-25.11142610505489%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Madonna, 66, went from Live Aid to becoming the top-selling female artist in history

[{"selector":"#anim-66c265e8-0b91-4d7f-af72-9f2f94be0464 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-26.404648465901914%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Tina rocked the Live Aid stage with Mick Jagger. She passed away in May 2023

[{"selector":"#anim-4ff17114-346a-4dc2-a790-e33741f86b45 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.925121588957442%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Now 81, he’s still going strong with The Rolling Stones — tour planned for 2026.

[{"selector":"#anim-507da73e-c417-4e5a-88fc-7bdfce0e85fe [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-16.015624793784127%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] At 78, he just released a new album with Brandi Carlile and keeps creating magic.

[{"selector":"#anim-5c812fe7-9dcb-4e5d-b2f2-007f0a38fa3c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.775442306610586%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] He performed in London, then flew to Philly to play again — Live Aid history in the making.

[{"selector":"#anim-c5235b39-92f1-4f2d-aa48-feaeee4b6c81 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-24.407996739118655%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Live Aid aired across 150+ countries — a true global moment for music and humanitarian aid

[{"selector":"#anim-7a7c6faf-7feb-4d09-a01d-3324f64ab6f6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-18.237210231975055%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Their 1985 performance consistently ranks #1 in polls of the greatest live shows in rock history.

[{"selector":"#anim-90e13dcb-62f2-4c83-88df-66ccb379c17e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.681368158628352%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] After Mercury’s death, bassist John Deacon retired from music and has lived a private life since.

[{"selector":"#anim-9aca20f6-560b-48ba-8ce2-14a3d8a54aa0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-23.97183938825339%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Dozens of artists performed: Paul McCartney, David Bowie, U2, and more