One of the most iconic music events in history is getting a well-deserved encore.
To mark the 40th anniversary of the original Live Aid concert, Greatest Hits Radio is set to re-broadcast the 1985 benefit show in a special 10-hour program on July 13, 2025—the exact date of the original event. Titled Live Aid Relived, the marathon tribute will be hosted by longtime British radio presenter Simon Mayo.
A Legendary Lineup, Revisited
The re-broadcast will feature full performances from global icons including:
- Queen, with their electrifying 21-minute set that remains widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time
- David Bowie, whose emotional performance of Heroes was dedicated to children around the world
- Paul McCartney, The Who, and many more
The special will also include commentary and memories from Live Aid performers like Martin Kemp of Spandau Ballet, as well as cast members from the upcoming musical Just For One Day, inspired by the concert.
Music With a Mission
Originally staged on July 13, 1985, Live Aid was a dual-venue global benefit concert held at London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium. Broadcast to nearly 2 billion people across 150 countries, the event raised more than £114 million for famine relief in Ethiopia and became a defining moment in the history of charitable music activism.
But Live Aid’s legacy hasn’t been without criticism. Over the years, questions have been raised about how funds were distributed and how African nations were portrayed. Still, its cultural and humanitarian impact remains deeply significant.
Voices from Then and Now
The broadcast will close with the final episode of Live Aid: 40 Years On, a new documentary series featuring interviews with key figures including:
- Bob Geldof, co-founder of the Band Aid Charitable Trust
- Midge Ure, co-organizer of Live Aid
- Queen’s Roger Taylor and Brian May
- Promoter Harvey Goldsmith
“I was there as a paying customer 40 years ago and I can’t wait to relive that extraordinary day,” said host Simon Mayo. “Apart from finding a place to park in Wembley, of course.”
Geldof added, “What better time than now to understand the power of music and what it can achieve.”
When & Where to Listen
Live Aid Relived will air July 13, 2025, starting at 12:00 p.m. U.K. time, exclusively on Greatest Hits Radio.
Whether you remember it firsthand or are experiencing it for the first time, this re-broadcast is a rare chance to feel the energy, unity, and power of one of music’s most important moments—live once again.
