Bob Geldof says Live Aid was about the money, not the music

Bob Geldof is a musician, activist and one of the organizers of Live Aid, the massive 1985 benefit concert that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia. Some of the biggest artists and bands of all time came together for that concert - but how did Bob convince them all to give up their time for free on the same day? Ahead of the Toronto opening of 'Just For One Day,' a new jukebox musical about Live Aid, Bob sat down with Tom Power to share some of the stories from behind the scenes of the concert, including how he got Queen to participate and why David Bowie insisted on the use of some CBC footage as the one condition of him playing.
Q with Tom Power is a daily conversation with the artists, writers, actors and musicians who define this cultural moment in time. The chat is informal, wide-ranging, playful, and allows the artist to explore their art and the contexts that have shaped them through their career.
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[@Nighthawk2211]

There are a few great guys left in this world. Bob is one of those people. Great interview, Tom - as always.

[@catherinecole3978]

Sir Bob is my age, but he looks ages older. It's no wonder. He's lived several live's worth of pain and suffering. Always an ethical and compassionate man, he survived his wife's antics and death, his daughter, Peaches, died of a heroin over-dose at the tender age of 25, after Paula and the talented but doomed Michael Hutchence both died, he adopted their daughter, Tiger Lily, to raise as his own, even 'tho Hutchence argued with Geldolf 'til the bitter end. A fund-raiser for charities par excellence, there's never been a cause that hasn't escaped his notice. On a par with Sting, he truly is a great man and a humanitarian.

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

This man was a phenomenal lead in the whole live aid event, he spearheaded everything and he should be given more credit. No one was doing anything, the news was covering it but there was a real lack of real world empathy, a third works country, why should we do anything and would the money actually go to the people needed and he ensured it did.

[@wisecanadianwoman]

Another great interview Tom.

[@ArianaFigMusic]

Saw his speech at the opening premiere in Toronto and I’m so in awe of his philanthropic work

[@carolburns8667]

Great interview great story

[@propguy72]

Brilliant interview Tom, so needed in these troubled times. . .

[@cherylsibson2529]

Good interview and I agree foreign aid is still important.

[@sgommerable]

Great interview, such a heart! I wish most churches, politicians and people could see this

[@pamsouthern9107]

Fabulous interview! what is old is not...behind the scene is always more compelling....

[@Mila_Brearey]

Great interview, as always! Love Bob❤❤❤

[@thomasscottwilliams6672]

Removing help with such unkindness is an incredible truth

[@lawrencea274]

It's nice to be nostalgic, but it's sad that no one can do the same for the Palestinians, who are under genocide and ethnic cleansing.

[@cherylsibson2529]

If the Americans had any couth, they would hand over machines to the gazans and let them figure out their own plans, but they don't.

[@lawrencea274]

@cherylsibson2529 yes. But Merica has been beyond couth for decades, they are more inline with evil, from the next door neighbour.

[@StratsRUs]

Queen had no moral qualms playing Sun City though.

[@golds04]

I believe that’s mentioned in the interview.

[@remember-when-in-doubt...]

I agree with most of what he says, but 22:59 saying that people are dying of starvation just 8 miles from Europe (people don't die of starvation in northern africa) and then going on to talk abut Sudan. He is actually misrepresenting the truth. The distance between Heraklion (a greek city on a island in the mediterranian) and the capital of Sudan/Khartoum is actually not 8 miles, but 231.8 miles (or 1.440 "american" miles). Africa is a huge continent.

[@helen5234]

I believe he is referring to the distance between Spain and Morocco when referencing the 8 miles. He then says for example Sudan, not specifically Sudan in relation to the close proximity. The 8 miles really highlights the disparity between Europe's wealth and surplus in comparison to Africa, which all the more startling given this close distance.

[@honemorrison4013]

What is his position on Gaza ......same as U2 bonzo's

[@tod3msn]

Live aid was A fundraiser. There's nothing wrong with Raising money for a cause. Less.of a concert.expedidncd.