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It’s the 40th Anniversary of Live Aid in Philadelphia

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Jul 14th, 2025 · 12:35 PM EDT

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Totally jealous of everyone who got to see this in person:

40 years ago today, Philadelphia helped make music history.

On July 13, 1985, Live Aid brought the world together from the stage of JFK Stadium uniting music, activism, and global compassion in a moment that defined a generation. pic.twitter.com/1MTsPXEuog

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 13, 2025

For all of you young whippersnappers on here who may not be aware, Live Aid was a benefit concert held simultaneously in both London and Philly in the summer of 1985. It was a massive event that served to raise money for a famine that was taking place in Ethiopia at the time. There were two lineups for the two cities, with London headlined by Paul McCartney, Queen, Elton John, The Who, and David Bowie. There were “newer” bands like U2 also on the bill.

The full Philadelphia artist list was:

• Bernard Watson
• Joan Baez
• The Hooters
• Four Tops
• Bill Ocean
• Black Sabbath (with Ozzy)
• Run DMC
• Rick Springfield
• REO Speedwagon
• Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
• Judas Priest (the greatest band of all time)
• Bryan Adams
• The Beach Boys
• George Thorogood and the Destroyers
• Simple Minds
• The Pretenders
• Santana
• Ashford and Simpson w/ Teddy Pendergrass
• Madonna
• Tom Petty
• Kenny Loggins
• The Cars
• Neil Young
• The Power Station
• Thompson Twins
• Eric Clapton
• Phil Collins (he flew from England to Philly to perform at both shows)
• Zeppelin
• Duran Duran
• Patti LaBelle
• Hall and Oates
• Mick Jagger with Tina Tuner
• Bob Dylan with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood from the Stones

Unfortunately I was nine months old at the time and unable to attend, but Crossing Broad readers bring up Live Aid every so often and say it was an absolute blast. It was at the old JFK Stadium in South Philly, and apparently it was hot as hell, like 95 degrees that day. In London it was probably 68 degrees and cloudy.

Pretty rad though. It had to have been a blast. Live Aid preceded Live 8, which also took place in Philadelphia. That was back in 2005, 20 years ago, and was set up on the Parkway. That was the show featuring Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, Def Leppard, Destiny’s Child, Kanye West before he lost his mind, and Dave Matthews Band, who have played 47 times at the Camden outdoor music venue ever since.