Tag Archives: Live Aid 1985

Music Monday: July 28, 2025

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

We said farewell to another musical icon last week. John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne died on July 22, 2025 at age 76. Born December 3, 1948 in the Marston Green village of the UK, he is best known as the original lead singer of Black Sabbath, the band credited with the invention of the heavy metal genre where he became known as “The Prince Of Darkness”.

They played their farewell show together 17 days earlier on July 5 in Birmingham, England & all the proceeds-reported to be 190 million dollars, the highest grossing charity concert of all time according to Billboard-were donated equally to three charities: Acorn Children’s Hospice, Birmingham Children’s Hospital and Cure Parkinson’s, the disease Osbourne struggled with for over 20 years. Despite that, his last performance was all him-no lip synching, no back tracks, just talent.  

Heavy metal was not a genre that spoke to me, but Sabbath’s “Paranoid”-released 55 years ago in the UK in September 1970 (and January 1971 in the U.S.)- was a staple on FM radio. I always found the guitar riffs & Osbourne’s vocals intensely captivating. He was fired from the band in 1979 for substance abuse issues. A year later he released his first solo album, Blizzard Of Ozz, led by the first single, “Crazy Train”. Twelve more solo studio albums followed over the next four decades along with his music festival, Ozzfest-an event he started in 1996 along with his wife & manager, Sharon-which was held nearly every year until 2018.

I became a fan of “The Osbournes” MTV reality show which ran from March 2002 to March 2005. The first season was the standout one for me & while I could have done without his wife in our faces for the next 20 years (or his daughter, Kelly), watching Ozzy doing regular life things like getting mad at the remote, taking out the garbage & cuddling with his dogs was both priceless and hilarious.

Ozzy was heavily affected by The Beatles and compared their arrival on the music scene like “going to bed in a black & white world and waking up in color”. In 2010 in honor of what would have been John Lennon’s 70th birthday, Ozzy paid tribute to him with a cover of the song, “How”. The accompanying video follows Osbourne walking through NYC and ends at the Central Park “Imagine” mosaic where he places a bouquet of flowers for the former Beatle. Respect.

John Michael “Ozzy” Osbourne: December 3, 1948 – July 22, 2025.

Top: Black Sabbath in 1970 (L-R): Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Bill Ward and Ozzy Osbourne. Middle: Ozzy Osbourne in the 1970’s. Bottom: The Prince Of Darkness on his throne at his last show with Black Sabbath on July 5, 2025 at at Villa Park in Aston, Birmingham, England. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Osbourne reunited with Black Sabbath 40 years ago to perform at the U.S. location of the Live Aid concerts. They were held on July 13, 1985 on two different continents: The show in America took place at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania while the European show was held at Wembley Stadium in London, England. If you had MTV, you had a front row seat to this extraordinary musical event. The concerts were held to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia which was organized by musicians Bob Geldof and James “Midge” Ure. First they put together the UK charity single by Band Aid, “Do They Know It’s Christmas”, released in December 1984. Then a group of American artists formed USA For Africa and recorded, “We Are The World”, which was released in March 1985. Both songs closed out their respective concerts which reportedly raised over 100 million dollars collectively.

Some of the artists who performed at Live Aid in 1985 included David Bowie (top picture), Led Zeppelin (L-R: Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page, middle picture) and Eric Clapton (bottom picture). (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

There were a number of standout moments at both locations, but even four decades later, Queen’s 21 minute set is still hailed as one of the greatest live performances of all time. Other exceptional Wembley moments include David Bowie, U2, The Who (despite experiencing technical issues) and Elton John, who performed “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” as a duet with George Michael for the first time. The pair collaborated on that song at the same venue during Michael’s March 1991 show and that version was released as a single. It became a #1 hit in both the UK & the U.S. (in December 1991 & February 1992, respectively).

For the American show, Phil Collins (who played at both concerts, using the Concord to fly from England to the U.S. venue) played drums for Eric Clapton & for the three surviving members of Led Zeppelin. Neil Young sang with Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ashford & Simpson performed with Teddy Pendergrass for his first performance after being paralyzed in a car crash in Philadelphia in 1982), Hall & Oates sang with former Temptations David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks and Mick Jagger performed with Tina Turner. Motown and soul were represented, respectively, by The Four Tops and Patti LaBelle. YouTube has a Live Aid channel of videos from both shows.

Queen at Live Aid in 1985 (L-R): John Deacon, Freddie Mercury, Roger Taylor and Brian May. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Black Sabbath: “Changes” (1972, written by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward).

Ozzy Osbourne: “How” (2010, written by John Lennon).

Queen: ” We Are The Champions” (Live performance at the Live Aid Concert in London, Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985. Originally released in 1977. Written by Freddie Mercury).

Paul McCartney: “Let It Be” (Live performance at the Live Aid Concert in London, Wembley Stadium on July 13, 1985. Joined by David Bowie, Alison Moyet, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof. Originally released in 1970. Written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney).

The Four Tops: “It’s The Same Old Song” (Live performance at the Live Aid Concert in Philadelphia, PA on July 13, 1985. Originally released in 1965. Written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Black Sabbath: “Paranoid” (Live performance at the Live Aid Concert in Philadelphia, PA on July 13, 1985. Originally released in 1970. Written by Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi, Ozzy Osbourne and Bill Ward).

Patti LaBelle: “Over The Rainbow” (Live performance at the Live Aid Concert in Philadelphia, PA on July 13, 1985. Originally released in 1966. Written by Harold Arlen and Edgar Yipsel “Yip” Harburg).

Stay safe & well.

Music Monday: July 29, 2024

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Hi, everyone. Welcome to this week’s edition of Music Monday.

Blog image for 2024

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Another big loss in music for 2024. Singer Abdul “Duke” Fakir died on July 22 at age 88. He was the last surviving member of The Four Tops, one of Motown’s premier vocal groups. The four original members were together for 44 years without any personnel changes, a feat nearly unheard of in the music industry. On top of their success with Motor City material, the Tops also covered songs from outside of that genre including “If I Were A Carpenter” and “Walk Away Renee”, a cherished favorite of mine. They were also the only Motown group to perform at the Live Aid concert in Philadelphia in 1985. It is indeed the end of a beautiful era of music.

Abdul
Four Tops

Top: Abdul “Duke” Fakir in 2009 at the 51st Grammy Awards ceremony where The Four Tops received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Bottom: The group circa 1968 (L-R): Renaldo “Obie” Benson, Levi Stubbs, Fakir and Lawrence Payton. (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Happy birthday to singer/songwriter Pete Yorn who just celebrated his 50th. Born July 27, 1974 in New Jersey, he first rose to fame in 2001 with his incredible debut, musicforthemorningafter. Ten more studio albums followed along with several live ones and EPs. He has also covered a few songs by that other guy from Jersey, Bruce Springsteen: “Dancing In The Dark” and “New York City Serenade”. Yorn’s take on the Albert Hammond 1972 classic, “It Never Rains In California”, was featured in the 2003 movie, “Stuck On You”. Yorn just announced his new record, The Hard Way, will be released next month.

Pete

Pete Yorn circa 2022. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I just rewatched “After Life” for the 900th time since it ended in 2022. The incredibly beautiful series, written & directed by my spirit animal, Ricky Gervais, affected me in a way no other series ever has. That is saying something given the fact that TV has been a lifelong constant of mine. The series was spectacularly real, heartbreaking, funny, brave and unbelievably eloquent. And the music chosen for each episode was absolute perfection.

A song featured in S2 E2 was one I had never heard before and the sheer beauty of it hit me to my core. It was written by one of my favorite songwriters, the American treasure known as Jimmy Webb. His longtime friend & musical collaborator, Glen Campbell, recorded it first for his 1988 album, Light Years.  Then he recorded it with Webb the same year for a Canadian TV show but it was not released until 2012 on Glen Campbell and Jimmy Webb: In Session.  Webb recorded it himself for his 1996 album,  Ten Easy Pieces, and it is this version that was featured in the show. I never thought I could love Webb more after the elegance of “Wichita Lineman” but I was wrong.

Jimmy

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Four Tops: “7 Rooms Of Gloom” ( 1967, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

Pete Yorn: “Lose You” (2001, written by Pete Yorn).

Jimmy Webb: “If These Walls Could Speak” (1996, written by Jimmy Webb).

Stay safe & well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 500

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Tom Petty music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

July 13th marked the 36th anniversary of the Live Aid benefit concerts. Elton John performed today’s song at the event’s UK show with George Michael and it was a great success. As much as I appreciated that version, nothing compares to the original for me.

“I can’t find the right romantic line
But see me once and see the way I feel
Don’t discard me just because you think I mean you harm
But these cuts I have they need love to help them heal“.

live aid

Elton John performing at Live Aid, July 1985. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Elton John: “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (1974, written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 387

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

May 2021 blog

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are still facing a serious situation but a new year gives us hope for the new days, seasons, opportunities & moments ahead. Still, music is something that will never change for me. It is my refuge, the most comforting part of my life & the one thing I consistently count on. So until a more normal semblance of life returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day. And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Time for another mid-week Motown break. In July 1964 The Four Tops released today’s song which became their first Top 20 hit. It featured the quartet’s signature sound & harmonies enhanced by the label’s female session singers, The Andantes-Jackie Hicks, Marlene Barrow, and Louvain Demps. Of course the track also featured the music of The Funk Brothers with a nice assist from The Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Twenty-one years later in July 1985, The Tops performed at Live Aid in Philadelphia, followed by Eric Clapton. In his autobiography he admitted he was nervous to perform after them because they were legends. That is some serious & well deserved respect.

“Some say it’s a sign of weakness
For a man to beg
Then weak I’d rather be
If it means having you to keep”.

Four-Tops

The Four Tops circa 1967 (L-R): Renaldo Benson, Levi Stubbs, Abdul “Duke” Fakir and Lawrence Payton. (Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

The Four Tops: “Baby I Need Your Loving” (1964, written by Brian Holland, Lamont Dozier and Eddie Holland).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 138

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Charlie Brown No Music No Life

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

I WANT MY MTV!!!

It was 39 years ago today that this channel premiered and music was never the same again.  A station dedicated to letting the world see the music (and the people behind it) as well as hear it was revolutionary.  The rotation began with maybe 10 videos but that did not prevent me from watching it non-stop for hours at a time.  Music videos changed the game for fans and the industry alike.  But unlike streaming that has caused artists to lose control of their own copyrighted material in addition to their earnings, MTV was a money mother lode for anyone willing to climb on board the novel concept.

At first it was newer artists that appeared frequently on the channel, but eventually everyone jumped on the bandwagon.  Some ran with the concept-Hall & Oates, Huey Lewis & The News, Billy Squier, Michael Jackson-to name a few.  Soon even my heroes were embracing the genre.  Remember a pre-“Friends” Courtney Cox’s fancy footwork with Bruce Springsteen in the “Dancing In The Dark” video?  Or watching Eric Clapton’s beautiful hands play fiery solos on his Strat while singing “Pretending” in the pouring rain?  Or an elegantly dressed Marvin Gaye extolling the benefits of “Sexual Healing”?  Videos from other 1970’s artists followed including Elton John, Rod Stewart, Steve Winwood and a host of others who welcomed and embraced the new MTV audience.

Vintage clips of great musical moments were featured like the Beatles first appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show”, performances from the 1967 Monterrey Pop Festival and the 1969 Woodstock concerts as well as the live broadcast of 1985’s “Live Aid” show from both America & the U.K.  Suddenly our living rooms were front row seats to the best music had to offer.  And thanks to directors from the TV & movie industries getting in on the trend (“Dressed To Kill” director Brian De Palma was the man behind Springsteen’s first clip), by the end of the decade and into the 1990’s videos became an art form.  The “Unplugged” series introduced us to the more intimate side of live performances.  Other music stations including VH1, BET and FUSE followed, but none compared to the original and its level of cool.

If there is one song that defined the early years of the MTV phenomenon, it is today’s.  While the references to homosexuals are outdated & considered offensive in this era of acceptance, and the once ground breaking channel is merely a reality show based venue in these days of YouTube and Instagram stories, this song still has the power to instantly transport those of us who were there at the beginning to the excitement of the new medium.  And to the poor choice some people made to wear sweatbands in their videos.

“Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothing and your chicks for free“.

The MTV moon man logo circa 1981 (R) and John Illsley (bass guitarist)  and Mark Knopfler (lead guitarist) of Dire Straits circa 1985.  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Dire Straits:  “Money For Nothing” (1985, written by Mark Knopfler and Sting a/k/a Gordon Sumner).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 124

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Thoreau music quote

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

Earlier this week drummer & percussionist Jamie Oldaker passed away at age 68.  He specialized in a few different music genres including rock, blues and country.  He played with a lot of diverse artists including Bob Seger, Leon Russell, Stephen Stills and Freddie King.  But I will remember him best for all the work he did with Eric Clapton, including as one of his drummers during his Live Aid set.  You can see both men in action by watching that performance on YouTube (they did three songs:  “White Room”, “She’s Waiting” & “Layla”).  Incidentally, that show took place 35 years ago this month.  That is absolutely mind-boggling to me!!!

Clapton wrote a really sweet tribute to his former drummer on his Facebook page today, crediting Oldaker’s sound as the reason Clapton wanted to play music again after getting lost in his drug addiction for too long in the early 1970’s.  Oldaker’s magic is heard on Clapton’s 1977 album “Slowhand” & 1978’s “Backless”.  So when you hear songs like “Cocaine”, “Wonderful Tonight”, “Lay Down Sally” and today’s pick, that is Oldaker’s superb rhythm you are hearing.  Today’s song has special meaning for me because for about two months when I was a teenager, I went to sleep with this record on every night.  Every.  Single.  Night.  I found it calming, soothing and a bit of a lullaby thanks to the “la la la” chorus.  And falling asleep to Clapton’s voice was a guarantee of oh so sweet dreams.

Rest in peace, Jamie.  Thank you for all the great music and for reuniting Clapton with his guitar.  All of his fans owe you so much.

 

Eric Clapton (R) and drummer Jamie Oldaker (L) at the Live Aid concert at the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985.  (Images found online.  Original sources unknown.)

Eric Clapton:  “Promises” (1978, written by Richard Feldman and Roger Linn).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.

Let’s Take A Moment Day 66

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Hi everyone.  Hope you are all well and continue to stay that way during this global health crisis we are facing.  But in addition to protecting your physical wellness, what are you doing to stay mentally healthy today?

Peanuts music

(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

I know we are in a serious situation, but I need a break from the gloom, doom and bullying by way of hoarding. Music has always been my refuge and watching those beautiful Italians singing to each other from their balconies reaffirmed my belief that music is the answer. So until the old normal returns, I am going to share a song I listen to that helps me escape the current state of things, if only for a few minutes each day.  And if this helps anyone else, even better.

COVID-19 update:  Yesterday began Phase One of reopening CT.  The list included restaurants with outdoor dining spaces, outdoor spaces of zoos & museums, offices and retail stores & malls.  There are limits on capacity and other new guidelines.  However, hair salons & barber shop reopenings were pushed back to June 1.  Phase Two will start on June 20 where gyms and movie theatres may reopen with restrictions and only if the rate of new cases continues to go down.  As for me, I am playing it safe to see how things go.  I am in no hurry to throw the last two months of safety away..  So back to the music.

Tina Turner established herself as one of the finest soul/R&B voices in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  When she made her comeback in 1983 with a cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”, it appeared she was going to stay in the same genre.  But with the release of her “Private Dancer” album the following year, it was clear Turner refused to stay in any box and started diving into other types of music like pop, mainstream and rock.  She worked with legends like Mick Jagger at Live Aid in 1985 and Eric Clapton during the European leg of her “Break Every Rule” tour in her ever evolving musical sound.  But today’s song is my favorite duet of hers, thanks to her incredible vocal performance and that of her collaborator, Bryan Adams.  It is also one of my favorite performance videos from the 1980’s.

Bryan_Adams_&_Tina_Turner_-_It's_Only_Love
(Image found online.  Original source unknown.)

Bryan Adams with Tina Turner:  “It’s Only Love” (1985, written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance).

I do not own the rights to anything.  I am just sharing what I love and how I am coping with you.

Stay well.