The BBC has announced new programming to mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, which took place on Saturday 13th July 1985.
BBC Two and BBC iPlayer broadcasts Live Aid at 40, which reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert. Exclusive interviews include iconic figures such as Bob Geldof, Bono and Sting – along with US President George Bush, President Obasanjo of Nigeria and Birhan Woldu, the woman who as a dying child, became the abiding image of the Wembley concert and the famine.
Zinc Media’s Brook Lapping is making the series in association with Ronachan Films that will be a coproduction between the BBC and CNN Originals.
The series weaves the back room stories of two gangs of musicians, from the UK and the US with the political stories that both inspired them and brought them to a worldwide audience. The series chronicles how musical legends from both countries mobilised billions worldwide: first to answer a famine in Ethiopia, and later inspiring global leaders like George Bush and Tony Blair to begin to address the true causes of global poverty.
Archive of the performances and back stage of the record and the concert feature Paula Yates, Boy George, Status Quo and George Michael whilst interviews with Nile Rodgers, Lenny Henry, Phil Collins, Lionel Richie, Patti LaBelle, Roger Taylor and Brian May are set against the memories of the Ethiopian politicians at the heart of the relief effort, Dawit Giorgis and Berhane Deressa. These combine with the stories from political heavyweights including President Obasanjo of Nigeria, Condoleezza Rice, George W Bush and Tony Blair. The series offers a “gripping account” of Live Aid’s impact on music, politics and global awareness over the twenty years between Live Aid in 1985 and Live 8 in 2005.
Emma Hindley, BBC Commissioning Editor, says: “The series takes the audience on an irresistible and entertaining ride through the 40 years since the biggest live concert ever was shown on TV. Featuring exclusive behind the scenes interviews with an array of stars of rock & pop, Live Aid at 40 revels in the music, unravels the politics and explores the legacy of Live Aid.”
Also coming to BBC Two in July is Live Aid the Concert (w/t). On a summer’s day in 1985, approximately two billion people watched the broadcast in more than 100 countries. Now, for the first time since 1985, BBC Two gives viewers a chance to relive over 6.5 hours of extended highlights of the London and Philadelphia concerts, in addition to backstage footage, including interviews with Bono, Brian May, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Howard Jones, Roger Daltrey, Spandau Ballet, Sting, The Style Council and a transatlantic interview with Phil Collins on Concorde.
Jonathan Rothery, Head of BBC Popular Music TV says: “This summer we’re delighted to be giving viewers a chance to relive one of the biggest concerts in history for the first time on TV since it was originally broadcast on the BBC. By providing over 6.5 hours of footage that was captured on the day Live Aid took place, we want viewers to feel transported back to 1985, and to enjoy all those classic songs that we all still know and love to this day, as they were performed on that stage.”
BBC Radio 2 will be marking the anniversary on Sunday 13 July, exactly 40 years since the concert, as the station broadcasts Live Aid – The Fans Story (12am-1am and then available on BBC Sounds).
Live Aid at 40 is Executive Produced by Tanya Shaw and Norma Percy, Series Produced by Angus Macqueen, and Directed by Tom Pollard, the series comprises of 3×60 on BBC Two and iPlayer and 4×44 on CNN. Commissioned by Jack Bootle, Head of Commissioning, Specialist Factual and Commissioning Editor is Emma Hindley for the BBC. The series is executive produced by Amy Entelis and Lyle Gamm for CNN Originals.
Live Aid the Concert (w/t) is produced by Zinc Media. The Executive Producer is Tanya Shaw. The producer is Jill Sinclair. The Head of Popular Music TV is Jonathan Rothery. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Popular Music TV is Rachel Davies.
Jon Creamer
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