This is a minute by minute review of the MTV "Live Aid" live broadcast on July 13th, 1985 :

MTV being a private chanel, they inserted advertisements, and as the money raised from these advertisment was reversed to Live Aid, they inserted a lot of advertisments. Some acts where just incomplete (like Queen) some other where axed in a middle of a song (like Judas Priest and Eric Clapton ...) which is not very clever as there was plenty of time inbetween performances to insert the commercials ... But as most breaks included messages from various personnalities about the cause and details on "how to give" this was a pain for a good.

One other good point for MTV, was that they had lots of journalists hanging around and doing interviews with the artists, which is great.

It is not our favorite source of watching, but at least they didn't messed it all like ABC ...

MTV pre concert presentation


  • MTV pre concert presentation
  • Introduction by Richard Skinner


  • The Royal Salute
  • 01:25    God Save the Queen
  • Status Quo


  • 00:22    Stage introduction by Tommy Vance
  • 03:54    Rockin' All Over The World
  •  
    Commercial break

    Status Quo


  • 02:17    Don't Waste my Time (joins in progress)
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Style Council


  • 00:58    Big Boss Groove
  • 02:50    Internationnalists
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Bill Graham
  • The Style Council


  • 03:36    Walls Come Tumbling Down
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Boomtown Rats


  • images of the Boomtown Rats backstage waiting to enter stage
  • 00:21    Stage introduction by Tommy Vance
  • 05:17    I don't like Mondays
  • 04:03    Drag Me Down
  • 05:37    Rat Trap
  •  
    Commercial break

    Oz for Africa (Men At Work)


  • 00:58    Men at Work : Maria (joins in progress)
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Ultravox

  • 05:09    Dancing With Tears in My Eyes (joins in progress)
  • 03:49    One Small Day
  • 04:46    Vienna
  •  
    Commercial break

    Spandau Ballet


  • 05:22    Only When You Leave
  • 04:40    Virgin
  • 05:53    True
  • Joan Baez


  • 01:19    Stage introduction by Jack Nicholson
  • 01:15    Joan Baez speech
  • 01:55    Amazing Grace (a cappella)
  • 02:34    We Are The World (a cappella)
  • Elvis Costello


  • 00:24    Stage introduction by Andy Peebles
  • 03:42    All You Need Is Love
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Bob Geldof
  • Nik Kershaw


  • 03:25    Wide Boy (joins in progress)
  • 04:48    Don Quixote
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Four Tops


  • 01:11    It's The Same Old Song (joins in progress)
  • 01:36    Reach Out I'll Be There
  • 02:28    I Cant' Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
  • Dutch contribution : BB King

  • 00:40    Introduction
  • 00:28    BBKing : end of When It All Comes Down
  • 03:21    BBKing : Why I Sing The Blues
  • 02:58    BBKing : Don't Answer the Door (cuts in progress to Billy Ocean in Philadelphia)
  • Billy Ocean

  • 02:10    Caribbean Queen (joins in progress)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Black Sabbath

  • 01:37    Children Of The Grave (joins in progress)
  • 07:44    Iron Man
  • 03:18    Paranoid
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Joe Piscopo stage announcements
  • Run DMC

  • 01:30    - Jam-Master Jay - (joins in progress - cuts in progress to Sting and Phil Collins in Wembley)
  • Sting and Phil Collins

  • Noel Edmonds introduced by Andy Peebles
  • 02:36    Stage introduction by Noel Edmonds
  • 03:38    Sting : Roxanne
  • 03:17    Sting : Driven to tears
  • 03:25    Phil Collins : Against All Odds
  • 04:32    Sting : Message in a Bottle
  • 04:45    Phil Collins : In The Air Tonight
  • 03:30    Sting and Phil Collins : Long Long Way To Go
  • 03:12    Sting and Phil Collins : Every Breath You Take
  • REO Speedwagon

  • 05:25     Cant' Fight this Feeling (half of the song is covered by MTV VJ's chatter)
  • 04:41     Roll With The Changes
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Bryan Ferry

  • 04:31    Sensation
  • Crosby, Stills and Nash    


  • 02:35    Southern Cross (joins in progress)
  • 03:13    Teach Your Children
  • 00:10    Suite : Judy Blue eyes (only the very start ; cuts to commercials)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Bryan Ferry

  • 03:39    Jealous Guy (joins in progress)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • ( Martha Quinn ) interview with Rob Halford (of Judas Priest)
  • Judas Priest

  • 02:22    Living After Midnight (joins in progress)
  • 03:42    The Green Manalishi
  • 02:22    You've Got Another Thing Comin' (cuts to commercials)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Judas Priest

  • 02:50    (back to ...) Living After Midnight
  •  
    Commercial break

    Paul Young

  • 04:51    That's The Way Love Is (with Alison Moyet)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Bob Geldof


  • Bob Gedlof welcomes America from the stage of Wembley stadium in London
  • Bryan Adams

  • 00:20    Stage introduction by Jack Nicholson
  • 02:59    Kids Wanna Rock
  • 04:26    Summer of 69
  • 04:12    Tears Are Not Enough (interrupted due to technical problem)
  • 05:34    (end of problem ; back to ... ) Cuts Like A Knife
  • U2

  • 00:29    Stage introduction from JFK by Jack Nicholson
  • 00:41    Stage introduction from Wembley by Tommy Vance
  • 05:20    Sunday Bloody Sunday
  • 12:37    Bad (Medley)
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Beach Boys

  • 04:46    Good Vibrations
  • 02:40    Surfin' USA
  • Stage outro by Bill Graham. Bill Graham announces Dire Straits
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Dire Straits

  • 00:53    Stage introduction from Wembley by Tommy Vance
  • 07:26    Money For Nothing (with Sting)
  • 11:17    Sultans Of Swing
  •  
    Commercial break

    George Thorogood

  • 00:59    tuning
  • 06:03    The Sky Is Crying
  • 05:10    Madison Blues (with Albert Collins)
  • Griff Rhys-Jones & Mel Smith     


  • Joe Piscopo & Chevy Chase introducing Queen from Philadelphia
  • Comedians Griff Rhys-Jones & Mel Smith introducing Queen
  • Queen

  • 02:22    Bohemian Rhapsody
  • 04:00    Radio Ga Ga
  • 00:40    Audience participation
  • 04:46    Hammer To Fall
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • interview with Marilyn McCoo
  • Queen

  • 01:20    (back to ...) We Are The Champions
  • Stage outro
  • Mick Jagger & Davie Bowie "Dancing in the Street" video    


  • Chevy Chase introducing Mick Jagger & Davie Bowie "Dancing in the Street" video
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Simple Minds

  • 05:20    Ghost Dancing (joins in progress)
  • 06:56    Don't You Forget About Me
  •  
    Commercial break

    David Bowie

  • 00:09    Stage introduction from Wembley by Andy Peebles
  • 03:35    TVC15
  • 03:13    Rebel Rebel
  • 03:31    Modern Love
  • 06:41    Heroes
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Pretenders

  • 01:00    Stop Your Sobbing (joins in progress)
  • 03:35    Back On The Chain Gang
  • 04:02    Middle Of The Road
  • The Who

  • 01:13    Stage introduction from JFK by Jack Nicholson
  • 02:10    Stage introduction from Wembley by Tommy Vance [02:10]
  • 01:40    My Generation [ feed cuts ]
  • Bill Graham appologises for the feed break to the Philadelphia audience
  • interview with Jack Nicholson
  • 00:23    (back to ...) Pinball Wizard
  • 04:34    Love Reign Over Me
  • 03:37    Won't Get Fooled Again [ feed cuts again ]
  • intermission
  • 04:00    (back to ...) Won't Get Fooled Again
  • Intermission


  • Intermission (Santana can be heard entering stage in the background)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Santana

  • 00:30    Open Invitiation (joins in progress)
  • 07:32    By the Pool / Right Now (with Pat Metheny)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Sade

              recorded earlier in Wembley
  • 04:34    Your Love is King (cuts to Elton John live in Wembley)
  • Elton John

  • 01:07    Stage introduction by Billy Connolly
  • 03:20    I'm Still Standing
  • 04:40    Bennie and the Jets
  • 04:44    Rocket Man
  • 00:34    Band Presentation
  • 04:51    Don't Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee)
  • 05:35    Don't Let the Sun Go Down (with George Michael & Andrew Ridgeley)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission (Elton John can still be heard playing in the background)
  • Elton John

  • 00:00    Elton John says "Goodbye"
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Bryan Adams
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Madonna

  • images of Madonna and the crew backstage
  • Bette Midler introduced by Bill Graham
  • 01:24    Stage introduction by Bette Midler
  • 06:20    Holiday
  • 06:29    Into the Groove
  • 05:17    Love Makes the World Go Round (with the Thompson Twins & Nile Rodgers)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Paul McCartney    


  • 04:52    Let It Be
  • 00:57    stage intermission
  • London All Stars Finale    


  • 03:41    "Do They Know It's Christmas ?" All stars finale in Wembley
  • Tom Petty    


  • Don Johnson introduced by Bill Graham
  • 00:10    Stage introduction by Don Johnson
  • 01:19    American Girl
  • 04:44    The Waiting
  • 02:59    Rebels
  • 03:44    Refugee
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Tom Bailey & Nile Rodgers
  • Interview with Billy Ocean
  • Kenny Loggins    


  • 02:58    Footloose (joins in progress)
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Cars    


  • 02:02    You Might Think (joins in progress) (includes images of Concorde's landing)
  • 03:46    Drive
  • 03:26    Just What I Needed
  • 05:11    HeartBeat City
  • Stage outro by Timothy Hutton
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Hall & Oates ; Eddie Kendricks ; David Ruffin (includes images of Phil Collins's arrival)
  • Neil Young    


  • 03:53    Sugar Mountain (joins in progress)
  • 02:31    The Needle and Damage Done
  • 04:22    Helpless
  •  
    Commercial break

    Neil Young    


  • 04:44    Nothing is Perfect (joins in progress)
  • 04:49    Powderfinger
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Kenny Loggins
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Chrissie Hynde
  •  
    Commercial break

    Power Station    


  • 00:17    Stage introduction by Don Johnson
  • 03:48    Murderess
  • 06:00    Get It On
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with George Thorogood & Paul Shaffer
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Brian Wilson and Carl Wilson (of the Beach Boys)
  • Prince    


        Pre-recorded video
  • 03:20    4 The Tears in Your Eyes
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen's drummer)
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Martin Chambers (of The Pretenders)
  •  
    Commercial break

    The Thompson Twins    


  • 00:53    Stage introduction by Bette Midler
  • 07:59    Hold Me Now
  • 04:47    Revolution
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Eric Clapton    


  • 03:13    White Room (joins in progress)
  • 04:44    She's Waiting
  • 06:44    Layla
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Grace Slick
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Timothy Hutton
  • Phil Collins    


  • 03:45    Against All Odds
  • 04:36    In The Air Tonight
  • Robert Plant ; Jimmy Page ; John Paul Jones    


  • 01:36    Stage introduction by Phil Collins
  • 04:43    Rock'n'Roll
  • 05:20    Whole Lotta Love
  • 02:25    Stairway To Heaven
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Melissa Manchester
  • Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young    


  • 03:33    Only Love Can Break Your Heart
  • 00:44    Tuning
  • 09:19    Daylight Again
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Duran Duran    


  • 04:07    A View To a Kill
  • 04:41    Union Of The Snake
  • 06:44    Save a Prayer
  • 06:01    The Reflex
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Mick Jagger
  •  
    Commercial break

    Patti Labelle    


  • 00:23    New Attitude (joins near the end)
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Tina Turner
  • Patti Labelle    


  • 03:44    Imagine (joins in progress)
  • 05:54    Forever Young
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  •  
    Commercial break

    Russian contribution : Avtograf

        recorded earlier
  • 05:19    Golovokruzhenie ( " Vertigo ")
  • 00:38    Speech by Vladimir Posner
  • 04:01    Nam nuzhen nir ( " We need peace " )
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Tom Petty
  •  
    Commercial break

    Hall & Oates    


  • 00:43    Stage introduction by Dionne Warwick
  • 04:27    Out of Touch
  • 05:27    Maneater
  • 02:34    Get Ready
  • 02:49    Ain't Too Proud to Beg
  • 02:41    The Way You Do The Things You Do
  • 03:41    My Girl
  •  
    Commercial break

    Mick Jagger    


  • 00:29    Stage introduction by Bette Midler
  • 03:25    Lonely at the Top
  • 05:27    Just Another Night
  • 05:10    Miss You
  • 02:34    State of Shock (with Tina Turner)
  • 02:55    It's Only Rock' n' Roll (with Tina Turner)
  • Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Bob Dylan    


  • 00:56    Stage introduction by Jack Nicholson
  • 04:34    Ballad Of Hollis Brown
  • 03:36    When The Ship Comes In
  • 04:36    Blowin In the Wind
  • US Finale    


  • 08:57    "We Are The World" : US All Stars Finale
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Intermission
  • Paul Young

        recorded earlier
  • 06:52    Everytime You Go Away
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Robert Plant, Jimmy Page , John Paul Jones and Phil Collins
  •  
    Commercial break

    Intermission


  • Interview with Phil Collins
  • Ashford and Simpson    


        (recorded earlier in JFK)
  • 06:05    Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)
  • Intermission


  • Interview with Lionel Richie
  • Interview with Dionne Warwick

  • Credits    


  • Credits