The benefit concert organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure was to help the 1983 to 1985 famine in Ethiopia.
An estimated audience of 1.9 billion people watched the live broadcast, with the two shows held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.
But just how much did the concert make in total for charity?
LIVE AID AT 40 🎸
“There were no phones, no social media. We just lived in the moment.” We invited fans to recount their experiences of Live Aid.
Watch the full video 👇https://t.co/lq4KY6OfUs pic.twitter.com/loHwZANY0G
— Wembley Stadium (@wembleystadium) July 9, 2025
Who performed at Live Aid?
The Live Aid show was broadcast at 12 noon in London and 7am in Philadelphia.
The full list of those who at the Live Aid UK concert:
- Coldstream Guards
- Status Quo
- The Style Council
- The Boomtown Rats
- Adam Ant
- Ultravox
- Spandau Ballet
- Elvis Costello
- Nik Kershaw
- Sade
- Sting, Phil Collins and Branford Marsalis
- Howard Jones
- Bryan Ferry
- Paul Young
- U2
- Dire Straits
- Queen
- David Bowie
- The Who
- Elton John
- Paul McCartney
- Band Aid
Top 10 British Albums
The full list of those who at the Live Aid US concert:
- Bernard Watson
- Joan Baez
- The Hooters
- Four Tops
- Billy Ocean
- Black Sabbath
- Run-D.M.C
- Rick Springfield
- REO Speedwagon
- Crosby, Stills and Nash
- Judas Priest
- Bryan Adams
- The Beach Boys
- George Thorogood and the Destroyers
- Simple Minds
- Pretenders
- Santana
- Ashford & Simpson
- Madonna
- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- Kenny Loggins
- The Cars
- Neil Young
- The Power Station
- Thompson Twins
- Eric Clapton
- Phil Collins
- Led Zeppelin
- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
- Duran Duran
- Patti LaBelle
- Hall & Oates
- Mick Jagger
- Bob Dylan, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood
- USA for Africa
Other special guests and performers appeared at each show, too.
@rockreloaded_ Queen’s performance at Live Aid on July 13, 1985, is widely regarded as one of the greatest live rock performances in history. #rock #rocknroll #queens #80smusic ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show
How much money did Live Aid raise?
During each concert, viewers were consistently urged to donate money to the Live Aid cause.
The BBC operated 300 phone lines to help take in donations during the event.
The largest donation came from Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, then the son of the ruler of Dubai, who donated £1m in a phone conversation with organiser Bob Geldof.
News outlets reported the next day that between £40 and £50 million had been raised from Live Aid.
However, it is now estimated that about £150 million has been raised in total for famine relief as a direct result of the concerts.
Recommended reading:
To mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid this year, for the first time since the 1985 concert, the BBC will air extended highlights from the 16 hours of music.
There will also be backstage footage, including interviews with iconic names such as Bono, Brian May, David Bowie, Roger Daltrey, Spandau Ballet and Sting.
Live Aid: The Concert will be on BBC Two on Saturday, July 12, with part one from 6pm to 9.15pm and part two following from 9.25pm to 1.05am on Sunday.
