Queen’s Live Aid Set Has Overshadowed a Day Full of Legends

The Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody made Live Aid the triumphant climax of Queen’s story for a new generation. The film, despite factual errors, helped cement Live Aid as the crowning achievement for the band. Queen’s actual set at the concert was six songs long and roughly 20 minutes.

Live Aid was organized to raise money for the Ethiopian famine and took place on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, with artists split between the two venues. Queen played Wembley between Dire Straits and David Bowie; Dire Straits were joined by Sting for "Money for Nothing," and Sting had earlier performed with Phil Collins.

Collins managed to play both the London and Philadelphia shows, boarding a supersonic jet to cross the Atlantic. The day was defined by collaborations: Elton John sang with members of Wham! on "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me," and Paul McCartney performed "Let It Be" with David Bowie, Pete Townsend, Alyson Monet and Bob Geldof.

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