
Claire Tole-Moir
Head of Department
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Sold for £535.50 inc. premium
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Head of Department
Provenance:
From the private collection of Harvey Goldsmith
A career highlight for Harvey and still one of the most famous live events that has ever taken place, was Live Aid. Following the success of Bob Geldof's Band Aid single in December 1984, Harvey was approached by Bob to produce the first live show of its kind. From initial contact to the day of the concert was 10 1/2 weeks. Harvey remembers clearly the press call at Wembley Stadium where he and Bob Geldof announced the event and listed the acts who would be playing. Although at this time the acts had been told the event was to take place, only the Boomtown Rats (Geldof's band) had confirmed that they would play. However this announcement set the tone for artists to confirm their attendance, David Bowie, Madonna, Elton John and U2 being some of the first.
Before the time of mobiles phones and the internet, it was a huge feat to keep such a tight schedule. The morning of the concert Harvey sent his runner to find 40 clocks to place backstage. Harvey personally put them in every dressing room, restaurant, green room area and even the toilets affixed with the instruction - "I don't mind what time you go on, but it does matter what time you come off". If the artists could stick to their stage exit there was a hope that the live transfer over from Wembley Stadium in London to John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia would sync without a glitch.
Live Aid has become a historic event, with the initial anticipation it would raise £1million. To this day the Band-Aid Trust receives £2-3million each year, and directly following Live Aid a staggering £140million.