Live Aid in the Blender

From Blender Magazine's July issue, we borrow 33 things you should know about Live Aid, that African-aid benefit 20 years ago on two continents.

Some of it is well known by now, how Philadelphia Mayor W. Wilson Goode snagged the show by telling organizers, "We need this," then opening the city's wallet.

But much we didn't remember. That the date was changed for Bruce Springsteen, who bagged it.

That Madonna, who had just endured Penthouse Magazine's publication of 10-year-old nude pictures, declined the Philly crowd's request that she disrobe. "Then years from now they might hold it against me," she cleverly said.

Bob Geldof's F-bomb on the BBC set off a wave of donations bound for Africa.

Mick Jagger stepped on Tina Turner's feet.

No one wanted to be the one to tell the slightly out-of-practice Paul McCartney that there was no piano.

Philly's Hooters get a bit dissed in the magazine, described as merely a "local band."

The show was criticized for being too white. Geldof said Steve Wonder canceled. Michael Jackson "just didn't want to be involved."

Led Zeppelin's performance - so weak the band wouldn't OK its appearance on the recent box set - prompted some finger-pointing. Robert Plant blamed stand-in drummer Phil Collins, who'd arrived by Concorde and whose head, Plant complained, was "still halfway across the Atlantic." Collins said "Robert's voice wasn't up to much, and Jimmy (Page) was dribbling like he was on another planet."

Collins wound up walking back to his hotel. After helicoptering back to NYC. (This doesn't sound so bad, but maybe it was.)

The Hooters SUCKED.

Phil Collins shouldn'tve even been on the stage with Zep.  That seat should've been filled by Jason Bonham, but Phil had to steal the spotlight.

If Live Aid was too white is Live 8 too black?

It's a benefit for Africa. African-American artists are pretty key, I think.

Right, but the benefit is to raise money from people in the US.  Shouldn't it be a bit more diverse?  (Btw I do think Live Aid, was 'too white)

how can a benefit concert be "too white" or "too black"? if people are paying attention to the issues and are willing to be a part of the solution how does race step in at all?live aid was amazing and zeppelin did the best they could after only having a single practice session since jon bonham died. live 8 raised tons of awareness which is exactly what they wanted. geldof got what he wanted. he brought the information to people and raised awareness