Live Aid Founder Corrects “Bohemian Rhapsody” Mistake, Says It Was Actually David Bowie Who Caused Surge of Donations

Live Aid’s Founder, Bob Geldof, recently shed light on a pivotal moment during the historic Live Aid concert that took place 40 years ago. Contrary to popular belief driven by the movie “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Geldof revealed that it was David Bowie’s performance, not Freddie Mercury’s with Queen, that caused a surge of donations during the charity event. The Live Aid concert, organised by Geldof and Scottish singer Midge Ure, took place simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, with a star-studded lineup that included iconic artists like The Beach Boys, Patti LaBelle, and Elton John, among others.

Geldof’s motivation to organize the blockbuster concert stemmed from a 1984 BBC report on the famine crisis in Ethiopia. He spearheaded the Band Aid single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” in December of the same year and later orchestrated the Live Aid concerts in the summer of the following year, which raised over $140 million for Ethiopia. Among the memorable performances was Queen’s set, fronted by the unforgettable Freddie Mercury, depicted in the popular 2018 biopic that portrayed donations soaring post their show. However, Geldof clarified that it was Bowie’s performance that triggered the influx of donations, not Queen’s.

According to Geldof, the telephone lines collapsed after Bowie’s performance, succeeding Queen’s set. Bowie’s emotional response to the devastating visuals of the famine in Ethiopia led him to cut a song from his set to broadcast the CBC report during his performance. This powerful moment, where Bowie urged the audience to contribute towards the cause, left a profound impact and significantly boosted donations. Geldof emphasised Bowie’s set as the defining moment that brought the audience to their feet and catalysed the fundraising efforts during the concert.

Despite Bowie’s pivotal role, the work done by Mercury and Queen remains essential to the success of Live Aid. Their electrifying performance left an indelible mark on the event, captivating the audience and infusing a surge of energy into the concert. Queen’s performance, as recounted by their roadie Peter Hince, injected a much-needed dose of excitement and dynamism into the show, elevating the overall experience for the spectators. The Live Aid concert, broadcast to an audience of 1.5 billion people across 150 countries, stands as a testament to the power of music in driving charitable initiatives and fostering global solidarity.

The lasting impact of Live Aid extended beyond the concert itself, inspiring subsequent charitable endeavours in the music industry. The success of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” paved the way for initiatives like “We Are The World,” which raised significant funds for humanitarian causes. The spirit of unity and compassion that epitomised Live Aid continues to resonate, underscoring the profound influence of music in mobilising support for humanitarian crises and fostering positive change. The legacy of Live Aid endures as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the transformative power of collective action and solidarity in addressing global challenges.