The “global jukebox” of Live Aid took place in London and Philadelphia on July 13th.
Organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, Live Aid was the largest international charity festival and television broadcast of its era. It had a star-studded roster, including London performers Elvis Costello, Sade, Sting, Branford Marsalis, U2, Dire Straits, Queen, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, Freddie Mercury and Paul McCartney and Philadelphia performers Joan Baez, The Hooters, Four Tops, Black Sabbath, Run-D.M.C., The Beach Boys, Pretenders, Madonna, Santana, Tom Petty, Mick Jagger and more. Phil Collins performed on both stages, flying on the high-speed Concorde between cities.
Prior to Live Aid, music videos were given another outlet with the debut broadcast of VH1 on January 1st.
Pop and rock were still the dominant genres of music released in 1985, but with the debuts of The Jesus and Mary Chain and My Bloody Valentine a new alternative trend called shoegaze would put down roots.
Other debuts included Whitney Houston’s self-titled LP and The Dead Milkmen’s cult favorite Big Lizard in My Backyard.
Music was an international topic in 1985, unifying causes and breaking down walls. Was it the Greatest Year in Music? Let us know what you think in the comments below or across social media with #XPNGreatestYear.
Albums:
Silvertone – Chris Isaak
Centerfield – John Fogerty
Nightshift – Commodores
King of Rock – Run-D.M.C.
No Jacket Required – Phil Collins
New Day Rising – Husker Du
Meat is Murder – The Smiths
Whitney Houston – Whitney Houston
She’s the Boss – Mick Jagger
Songs from the Big Chair – Tears for Fears
“We Are the World” – USA for Africa
The Night I Fell in Love – Luther Vandross
The Power Station – The Power Station
Southern Accents – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Dream into Action – Howard Jones
Bad Moon Rising – Sonic Youth
Hell Awaits – Slayer
Katrina and the Waves – Katrina and the Waves
Around the World in a Day – Prince and the Revolution
Nervous Night – The Hooters
Be Yourself Tonight – Eurythmics
Mr. Bad Guy – Freddie Mercury
Across a Crowded Room – Richard Thompson
Brothers in Arms – Dire Straits
Low-Life – New Order
Seven Wishes – Night Ranger
In My Head – Black Flag
Suzanne Vega – Suzanne Vega
Youthquake – Dead or Alive
The Dream of the Blue Turtles – Sting
Hunting High and Low – A-ha
Boys and Girls – Bryan Ferry
The Firstborn Is Dead – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds
Cupid & Psyche 85 – Scritti Politti
Fables of the Reconstruction – REM
Little Creatures – Talking Heads
Crush – Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
Theatre of Pain – Motley Crue
Big Lizard in My Backyard – The Dead Milkmen
Heart – Heart
Contact – Pointer Sisters
Flash – Jeff Beck
Phantasmagoria – The Damned
Salad Days – Minor Threat
Rum Sodomy & the Lash – The Pogues
Scarecrow – John Mellencamp
The Head on the Door – The Cure
In Square Circle – Stevie Wonder
Hounds of Love – Kate Bush
This Is the Sea – The Waterboys
Rain Dogs – Tom Waits
Flip Your Wig – Husker Du
Once Upon a Time – Simple Minds
Power Windows – Rush
Tim – The Replacements
Psychocandy – The Jesus and Mary Chain
Rock a Little – Stevie Nicks
Riptide – Robert Palmer
Geek! – My Bloody Valentine
Dinosaur – Dinosaur Jr
