U2 - Bad (Live Aid 1985) | Reaction

[@Cornerboy73]

The performance that changed everything for them. The world watched a young U2 step up to the big leagues here; and to think that they followed this up with the legendary Joshua Tree album. Talk about a 1-2 punch.

[@sunshynff]

It was for sure a game changer for them, I would argue they were in the big leagues after "War" album in '83, then this performance as the springboard into Joshua Tree launched them into the stratosphere as bonified superstars on the music scene. IDK, I've been a superfan since "Boy" was released, I'm aware I'm probably over analyzing your comment, sorry..lol.

[@ursgeiser6570]

Yes "the performance opened doors", but it took 1.5 years until the brilliant album JT came out, but then you have to deliver quality songs. In between there were Amnesty concerts in 1986 with Springsteen and Sting and the JT theme USA, which contributed to the immense success: Rock Hottest Tickets/said Time Magazine. What U2 are doing today is a completely different (?) chapter.✌

[@sunshynff]

@@ursgeiser6570 ...Agreed, I also think following up JT a year later with the album/rockumentary of "Rattle and Hum" ushered in a new level of fans. They recorded a couple tracks at the famous Sun Studio in Memphis, and really showed their love for Americana, with the album having a soul/bluegrass/blues-rock kind of feel, plus colabs with other artists, I know Dylan, B.B. King, and Harlem's Freedom gospel choir were a few, can't remember if there was another one or two. "When Love Comes To Town" was probably my favorite on that album, but I'm a sucker for B.B. King.

[@rogergui1980]

Depois dessa apresentação os 3 primeiros discos do U2 voltaram para o top 20 álbuns na parada Britânica, era como se muitos tivessem conhecido o U2 nessa apresentação!! The Unforgettable Fire o 4 disco já estava na parada !!! Eles definitivamente foram os melhores!!

[@sunshynff]

​@@rogergui1980 ...Bem dito, concordo! Eu os vi em minha cidade natal nos Estados Unidos em todas as turnês desde Joshua Tree. A sala de concertos dos meus sonhos para vê-los seria em algum lugar do México ou da América do Sul. Bono tem um lugar especial em seu coração para a América Latina, e os shows que vi no KZbin de lugares como Cidade do México, Peru e São Paulo parecem ter uma energia inigualável na maioria dos lugares que viajam. .

[@brettc190]

The guy handling Bono's microphone was Greg Carroll. He died in a motorcycle accident on a rainy night in Dublin when a car pulled out in front of him, he was only 26. He was a Maori from New Zealand. U2 met him when they were on tour there, and they decided to hire him. The song "One Tree Hill" on The Joshua Tree album was written in memory of him. Named after One Tree Hill in Auckland New Zealand.

[@tjh5716]

Awesome info. Thanks.

[@caperboy1169]

We all know

[@seventhcompactor1505]

This is one of the greatest single song performances in rock history

[@christianreynolds9252]

Not sure if anyone’s mentioned this in the comments but this song wasn’t supposed to go on this long. U2 were supposed to play their new single Pride (in the name of love ) but ran out of time because Bono jumped off the stage. It caused a massive argument between the band after the set. Playing to billions worldwide and they didn’t get to play their single 😃 But it’s the performance that pushed them to the elite level. This then the Joshua tree followed made them superstars It’s the best thing that ever happened to them

[@andymac4033]

The brilliant ‘mic guy’ is the legendary Greg Carroll. A New Zealand native that became Bono’s personal assistant. Carroll was killed whilst returning Bono’s motorcycle home in 1986. Bono wrote the amazingly powerful song ‘One Tree Hill’ after attending his friends funeral.

[@sunshynff]

NO WAY!!! Damn, every time I think I'm a superfan that knows all the little nuggets there is to know about the boys, I learn something new. I knew it was about someone that was personally in his life, didn't know it was about Greg, I gotta go listen to it again. Thank you for posting that!!

[@robbiecarroll5491]

Still one tree makes me tear up 🇮🇪💚

[@sunshynff]

@@robbiecarroll5491…Facts! Me to

[@dougman23]

I. Did not. Know that....Wow. How I can know both his story and this video like I do but never know where they intersect is amazing.

[@shawnguillory267]

If you want to see some crazy young Bono antics, look for some performances from the War tour. He would climb onto the tops of the stages.

[@MEA5755]

Thanks for reminding me about one of my favourite bands, U2. I've seen them live at least 3 times and they are great live.

[@Big_Al_4223]

Just gotta say the sound at their Last Brisbane Australia was terrible and so very disappointing. Tried to introduce my son to the sound of U2 and it was a massive fail. 😢

[@MichaelJensen14]

Out of all of their catalog of songs/hits this song for me is my favorite and this version the most memorable. I've listened to this thousands of time and I never get tired of it...and Edge's guitar is hypnotizing.

[@lucannewland1187]

My favourite U2 song! Its about Addiction to heroin, the Lyrics to this tune are a masterclass! Stay wide awake people! God bless anyone who is fighting addiction! ❤️

[@tr1522]

the addicted person was a childhood friend of Bono (per his concert comments during their show in Denver in March, 1985)

[@medb8882]

@@tr1522that and Dublin in general. First time my dad brought my mam back to his home in Cabra they were offered heroin in a lane next to his house. Heroin has ravaged Dublin since the 80s or maybe before

[@michaeljones2239]

@@lucannewland1187 I've been a fan of U2 since 1986, and I had no idea that's what the song is about.

[@pairofpints]

For me, this is the most memorable set from Live Aid

[@wolfengrim]

Love me some U2! One of the most underrated, unique and haunting male voices ever. And yes, it's the same concert where Queen performed. Queen definately took the prize that day, but U2 was a close runner up :-)

[@chalkandcheese1868]

That's a bit of a myth, there was lots of great sets at Wembley that day. From were I was at the time people were in awe of the entire thing, nobody singled out Queen at the time. U2 were the hot young band at the time, so they got a lot more attention than Queen.

[@tylerhackner9731]

Love this legendary performance

[@stabcitySB]

Edge’s sound is so recognisable, dare I say Page-esque. That delay pedal just gets me every single time. I’m Irish, I hear it a LOT, it never gets old. Long may it last.

[@justinwilton4603]

If asked most peope will say queen stole the show that day ,but u2's set was up there for me !!

[@sunshynff]

So many people over the years have given Bono grief for being pretentious, cocky or vein, first off, DUUHHH!! Are those really surprising traits coming from the front man of one of the biggest and most charismatic bands of all time??? Regardless, they can say that all they want, and even above and beyond the countless amounts of time, energy and personal money he's given to Amnesty International and campaigns to end world hunger, It is his huge heart and random acts of love and kindness, like taking the the time, in the middle of the biggest performance of a lifetime, to just give a random fan he noticed, a hug, and dance with her for a second. That is why they are so dearly loved the world over by so many fans as myself. Great reaction!!

[@robbiecarroll5491]

Everyone forgets that when Ireland had high unemployment with youths they put alot of money in training skills in Dublin. Those who hate U2 or Bono do it mainly because it's trendy that's all

[@sunshynff]

@@robbiecarroll5491..Well said, I agree, and all four grew up during dark times in Northern Ireland, The Troubles was 30 some odd years of fighting, heartache and loss, for a whole lot of people. I think that’s a big part of why they are so compassionate, and definitely an inspiration for many of their songs.

[@brendamenze8288]

Love Bono

[@sunshynff]

Facts!! Plus two were from the Protestant side of town and two from the Catholic, even though I realize, unlike a lot of my fellow Americans, that the Troubles was not a conflict over religious beliefs, but political lines just happen to line up very close to the two main faiths at the time, so just the four of them hanging out together and practicing in the early days was a bit risky and controversial.

[@coreygrange915]

Easily my favorite band of all time. Bono was, and still is, a force to be reckoned with. Check out Every Breaking Wave live at the EMAs for an older Bono knocking vocals out of the park

[@mikenastasi8927]

Their 1st album Boy was released in 1980 but they've been playing together since high school in the 70's. Bono even married his high school girlfriend and they're still married. U2 is 1 of the few bands with all original members for multiple albums.

[@lazerx1828]

Here's another iconic live performance, from their "U2 GO HOME" concert at Slane Castle, Ireland. It's *ALL I WANT IS YOU/WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME* All I Want Is You is about Bono's wife Ali, which runs right into Where The Streets Have No Name. Bono's father had passed away the week before, he had buried him the day before the concert. As All I Want Is You ends, Bono gives a heart wrenching wail, looks up to the sky and says, "It's Paul! It's your Paul! I sing this song for you. I sing my song for you.. in the end." Then the song kicks in and the lights come up. Trust me, it's a chills moment: *ALL I WANT IS YOU/WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME - SLANE CASTLE* kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGTIY5lql9-oo7s

[@direnova6284]

I was looking at a chart of the top 5 acts of each decade and U2 were in THREE of them, 80's 90's 2000's.

[@justinhoskins5458]

Sunday Bloody Sunday live on Rattle and Hum. His vocal and message will blow you away.

[@meni8015]

Good to see you back and feeling better, Nick. Great band, great performance

[@joannparker1977]

I hope you continue to feel better! Fantastic performance, fantastic song. Bono was 25 then. We’re the same age. U2 was around way before’85. They were punk rockers from Ireland. I definitely think their early work is infinitely better than their later work. Check out ANY song from their masterpiece album “Joshua Tree”. It came out in 1987. “Where the Streets Have No Name”. You have to watch the official video of them performing in downtown LA. This was them at their prime.

[@jefferson7468]

I watched this video like 100 times. thanks very much!

[@badvlad63]

That was the first time I heard of htem and watched it all the way through. I've been a fan ever since and have attended 5 of their concerts

[@cherylb309]

With or Without You another great song by U2

[@drakulkacz6489]

The rest of band was at first realy angry at him for prolonging the song and they weren´t able to see what he is doing down there (saving the girl being crushed) because they planned to play another song - new single Pride. But the time were limited and they couldn´t do that. But at the and this live playing made him good deal because they did something nobody was doing at that time and this gig became legendary and made them famous around the world (because it was live televised).

[@LucretiusEldritch]

U2 owned the 80s.

[@loadedorygun]

I swear Bono invented mic drop. You can hear it hit the stage both times. He’s not even dramatic about it; just lets go of it lol.

[@matthewdavis418]

he saved the womans life

[@anthonyguadagnino2681]

One of the greatest transitions in music is from slane castle. Watch “All I want is you/where the streets have no name”. Bono’s dad died a few days before the show.

[@PeterAtkinson]

Such an incredible performance of an incredible song. 👍👍

[@EM-cz4rd]

Saw them in 1987 at the LA Coliseum during the Joshua Tree tour. What a night.

[@lazerx1828]

Thanks so much for this one dude, made my day.

[@gaynorsealey6196]

Love Bono ,U2 were awesome at Live Aid, check the mout live at Red Rocks, that was just the best live gig ever!

[@mjguerin63]

Old enough to say I watched this live from Sydney.

[@justincredible.]

U2 has the highest grossing tour ever

[@onedrmr]

Saw them in April 1985 3 months before this ... they were and still are amazing ...

[@LetItBeSummer-1]

Amazing amazing amazing song! BTW, you hit those notes lol 💜

[@WeLuv9x5]

Their performance at Red Rocks defined them!

[@fa.prominens7708]

This man's own reaction on minute 10'55'' until 11'20'' is also a beautiful moment for peope who are very old and remember this moment is about to come, to see how his reaction is gonna be. I got tears in my eyes, because this was the reaction that I hoped he would have.

[@luattack123]

I never watch this Live Aid for Queen, it always been for U2 apresentation, they sstoled the show, one of best live ever. And yeah, he always went to the public......

[@KevinBraun-h5w]

I know this is a very old reaction and as such, you may not even see this note, but I would like to throw 2 other U2 reactions at you for specific reasons. 1. Every Breaking Wave from the 2014 MTV Europe Awards. Reason: pure vocal performance and how much Bono pours himself into the song. 2. All I Want Is You/Where The Streets Have No Name from Slane Castle in 2001. One of the most powerful vocal performances I’ve ever heard in the transition between the two songs… Bono’s father died of cancer 5 days before this show and the funeral was one day before. The entire show was an emotional outpouring for him and as someone who understands singing, you’ll feel it.

[@ronparsons8786]

Legendary performance

[@justincredible.]

Snippets of; Lou Reed - Satellite of Love. Melanie - Ruby Tuesday. Rolling Stones - Sympathy for the devil. Lou Reed - Walk on the wild side.

[@ginafragata2947]

Yes❤

[@deejayturtle]

I got cha Nick. I'm a huge HUGE Bono / U2 fan. As it turns out, Bono and I share the same birthday. They did some monster touring in the 90's, I'm hook you up.

[@sunshynff]

FACTS!!!

[@bminturn]

The "mic dude" was Greg Carrol, a long time roadie for the band. The song "One Tree Hill" is an elegy for him, after he was killed in a motorcycle accident.

[@kennithfisher-vc5mj]

Loved it. The song was from the album The Unforgettable Fire which also had the song Pride ( in the Name of Love). You should check out one of their live performances of the song Sunday Bloody Sunday or New Years Day.

[@matthewdavis418]

They were supposed to do another song, but didnt have time. Band was upset at first, but this put U2 on the map big time

[@seventhcompactor1505]

They were already huge to a growing fan base who loved alternative music in the US. The Joshua Tree made them household names.

[@michaelfaulkner3119]

Ye u2 all there gigs have been the biggest gigs of all time.

[@intothedepthscoco]

"Satellite of Love" is a Lou Reed song. Bono threw in those lyrics in the beginning. A great song in its own right.

[@baronbayne9899]

I think it easily their most powerfull and significant performance of theirs, and thats saying something.

[@xxmrbrooksxx]

Bono spotted that girl was being crushed by the mob of that audience or something like that and he went to help. Or so I've read.

[@mangrove]

True. A newspaper found her years later, and she said that he had saved her life.

We just dont write songs this great any longer....at all.

[@bminturn]

Around the 10:30 mark, people were getting crushed against the gate at the front of the crowd, and Bono was asking security to pull some of the people over. Then he flipped the situation on its head and made it about him, as he likes to do 🤣

[@drakulkacz6489]

He saw a girl being crushed in that crowd so he tried to show the security the problem at first but they were nor able to see it from down there and weren´t able to understand in the noise what he was trying to show them so he went down there himself. A jurnalist later spoke with that girl.

[@matthewgoodA1206]

Incredible song, deep cut, might be about addiction. Saw these guys live in 2011 in Seattle, Lenny Kravitz opening. Nothing like a live show.

[@coreygrange915]

It's about heroin addiction in Dublin, particularly a friend of his who OD'ed

[@jimjohns9051]

It’s a small little band … they made it huge

[@DavidBrown-yd9le]

Glad you’re feeling better!

[@gordieparenteau6555]

You and I wish we could sing like Bono does. The song is structured the way it is to mimic a drug induced high.

[@jackieyoungman7970]

I'd recommend listening to All I Want Is You, the last track on U2's Rattle & Hum album. Very intense and very beautiful.

[@caroleann_2142]

STELLAR PERFORMANCE 🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉❤🎉

[@kpodonnell7924]

The roadie Greg Carrol died in a tragical motorcycle accident after this. The brilliant sone One Tree Hill from the Joshua Tree was written for her. There is a great live version of that available on the Rattle and Hum outtakes.

[@kpodonnell7924]

Girl was getting crushed. He saw it and went down to pull her out.

[@OvercookedOctopusFeet]

Great reaction.

[@fa.prominens7708]

What this man probably doesn't realise on minute 11'00'' until 11'17'' is that this is indeed the same concert where Freddy Mercury played, called 'Live Aid'.(he asked that question in the beginnng somewhere). Live Aid was the biggest funding rasing live concert ever until that time (and maybe/probably still), for Africa, (hunger and troubles in Africa). Bono kissed the forehead of coloured girl and he pointed for minutes and minutes in the crowd that he wanted her to pick out of the crowd. A lot of blonde girls came out of the crouwd, but he didn't want them. Also afterwards two girls where on the stage that he didn't point to. He pointed to a black girl, I believe symbolically because of what 'Live Aid' was doing (with maybe 200 lillion people watching live on TV)... And after that he sings... I'm wide awake !! He surely was, a a performer and also on a moral level with his action in the crowd that took so long that the band only could play 2 songs, instead of 3. The band, who couldn't see Bono wasangy at Bono it seemed (I read that somewhere I think) that they couldn't play their biggest hit at that time, Pride. Yes, sir, that was a beautiful moment (minute 11'10''), you're completely right.

[@gaynorsealey6196]

Check them out doing Pride (In the name of love) & Sunday Bloody Sunday... awesome!!❤

[@ginafragata2947]

Year amazing

[@jefferson7468]

hey guy you are great!

[@tylerhackner9731]

Glad you’re feeling better

[@sherliemagers2045]

Chills still...

[@JDSJayDS]

A gospel choir beat is what we're diggin'.

[@justincredible.]

First there was music.... than there was U2. End of story.

[@pk7422]

"I don't think I could hit that note," lol...

[@paulohenriquedelima6942]

The rodie microfone in future tragedy die in tour , U2 Write song The Album Josshua Three for he.

[@angelrdiaz4755]

Yes it's the same concert 😀😃🙂🙃😊😇😀😃🙂😊😇😃🙃

[@LV481]

❤

[@siblis20]

Bono takes a big risk pulling girls from that massive crowd and the band wasn't crazy about that

[@NZStarWarsNooB]

RIP Greg Caroll.

[@justincredible.]

Sunday Bloody Sunday was 1983.

[@lozu8947]

The band was upset with Bono when he did that interaction with the audience and left them cluelessly playing until he came back. But I think Bono knew they had to stand out somehow with the world watching- he was right because they exploded after this

[@michaelfaulkner3119]

Can't even see it, nio thanks

[@moonlily1]

Did I mishear you or did you call Bono a "vampire librarian"?

[@DavidBrown-yd9le]

Yes it’s the same concert that you’re thinking of

[@michaelfaulkner3119]

Your a cool dude by the way

[@RVZNKaraoke]

Where the Streets Have No Name. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Mysterious Ways.

[@zacharysnyder2520]

This would have been thee best song live if queen didn’t play the best ever show

[@Nimno74]

Started with Bowie, ended with the Stones...

[@Nimno74]

And Lou Reed.

[@michaelfaulkner3119]

Yoy know what, inever had a hardcore rap man into u2, how wrong i am

[@davidvornsand9551]

too bad there is no video !

[@jefferson7468]

I you twist and turn away

[@RVZNKaraoke]

This could be you! I'm working on the karaoke of the related "Wide Awake In America" version...glad you enjoyed the performance. I'm ready for people to remember why U2 was great and for them to remember...(also working on some Surrender tracks) kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZnWslHappNWksK8

[@kane29842]

U2 were better than Queen at Live Aid. Sunday Bloody Sunday was better than this, too.

[@dougdougw]

You've never seen him like this? Really?

[@timlacreta8221]

Bad by U2: In case you missed it, this song is about dying to oneself, surrendering to God, and follow Him (and fade away from the old sinful man and walk the path of a new reborn man in Christ)

[@robbiecarroll5491]

Actually got nothing to do with god, but the heroin problem in Dublin in the 80's. These days I think Bono is more agnostic than catholic

[@stevepasco5850]

It's about his friend who died of Herion😢

[@justincredible.]

Queen has *NOTHING* on U2!

[@karmicscope5259]

We can’t look at it, cuz it’s so transparent we can’t see it at all.

[@MontezPlaysGames]

First

[@marlew6629]

That's because you're late to the party. U2 shows were legendary as were Bono'e performances back in the day. That's why they are legends.