Live Aid Made Giving Hip: The 25th Anniversary

Deemed the Woodstock of the 1980’s as well as one of the most ambitious concerts ever staged, Live Aid exploded on to approximately 2 millions viewers’ television sets in 60 countries on July 13, 1985. In recognizing the 25th anniversary of what was known as the “global jukebox,” one has to wonder about the relevance such uncomplicated yet poignant universal charity endeavors have today. In an world where terrorism, gang violence, global warming, and AIDS (yes, still) are taking lives and wreaking havoc every day, and The Powers That Be seem to be making progress slowly and not-too-steadily, is it possible that such insistent, emotive events might be the way to progress? Some of music’s most influential characters, both then and now, have been those that work off of a somewhat “anti-establishment” platform-- maybe not just preaching from the podium is a viable idea that should be taken to heart. We need to focus on conversations.