1985: Live Aid rocks the world

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

Category: 80s

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Article by: Julie Miller