One of the reasons Live Aid was so revolutionary was because of who it involved-- rock musicians. After years of being seen as rebels "fighting the system," the same artists were on stage performing in the name of activism, uniting countries to fight famine.
David Bowie performs at Live Aid, NME, 2018
"I think that a lot of the causes and things we are caring about now are the same as we cared about in the '60s. It may just be that we're better dressed now... and better able [to promote them]"- David Bowie, Los Angeles Times, 1985
Live Aid allowed celebrities to use their popularity for a worthy cause. Even if the audience only saw it as entertainment, the musicians at Live Aid were performing for a cause greater than themselves.
Early Live Aid concert poster, Best Classic Bands, n.d.
"For one day, at least, the Live Aid concerts in Philadelphia and London welded together popular arts and humane politics, using the power, energy, and intention of rock and roll to accomplish something of practical social value. For that single day, a group of the richest, most spoiled and safest human beings on the planet assembled in concert to feed another group of human beings, a group that has been ravaged, humiliated, and imperiled. That is no small thing."- Pete Hamill, Rolling Stone, 1985
35 years later, the impact of Live Aid is still felt in the music industry. It has become increasingly common for celebrities to use their fame as a platform for social and political activism, although there is yet to be another event as massive and influential as Live Aid.
Bob Geldof, the mind behind Live Aid, SPIN, 2015
"American life evolves in cycles. And Live Aid might eventually be seen as a turning point, the end of a cycle of passivity, self-absorption, and moral exhaustion and the beginning of a new cycle... if that happens, if a change comes, rock & roll will play a critical part."- Pete Hamill, Rolling Stone, 1985
In 2005, Geldof organized Live 8, another series of benefit concerts in the vein of the original Live Aid. Geldof considered the concerts a success, but not on the same level as the 1985 Live Aid concert.
July 13th 1985 was designated as Live Aid Day in the United States after a joint house resolution that implored people to observe the day with appropriate programs and activities.
In recent years, there has been talk of doing "another Live Aid." As recently as 2019, Queen guitarist Brian May expressed desires for a benefit concert to combat climate change.