40 years ago today, Philadelphia made music history when Live Aid took over JFK Stadium

Forty years ago today, Philadelphia made music history. On July 13, 1985, Live Aid took over JFK Stadium with 100-degree heat, an all-time lineup, and a cause that actually mattered.

I wasn’t even born yet. My older brother was 7 months old and instead of staying home, Mom and Dad left him with a babysitter and hit the biggest show Philly’s ever seen.

That’s badass parenting, imo.

This morning my mom mentioned that Madonna absolutely crushed which makes sense. They were in peak Like a Virgin era. As expected, my dad went with Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones, adding it wasn’t even a “question”.

My dad also added that the Philly Fire Department came in and started hosing down the crowd because of the extreme heat. Anyone who brought blankets and whatever else were completely soaked. While handing out water to people passed out throughout JFK Stadium, he used that as an opportunity to move right up in front and center, roughly 20 yards back, to catch the show.

Live Aid takes the World Stage at JFK Stadium in 1985

40 years ago today, Philadelphia helped make music history.

On July 13, 1985, Live Aid brought the world together from the stage of JFK Stadium uniting music, activism, and global compassion in a moment that defined a generation. pic.twitter.com/1MTsPXEuog

— City of Philadelphia (@PhiladelphiaGov) July 13, 2025

Live Aid Philadelphia:

• Bernard Watson
• Joan Baez
• The Hooters
• Four Tops
• Bill Ocean
• Black Sabbath (with Ozzy)
• Run DMC
• Rick Springfield
• REO Speedwagon
• Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
• Judas Priest (the greatest band of all time)
• Bryan Adams
• The Beach Boys
• George Thorogood and the Destroyers
• Simple Minds
• The Pretenders
• Santana
• Ashford and Simpson w/ Teddy Pendergrass
• Madonna
• Tom Petty
• Kenny Loggins
• The Cars
• Neil Young
• The Power Station
• Thompson Twins
• Eric Clapton
• Phil Collins (he flew from England to Philly to perform at both shows)
• Zeppelin
• Duran Duran
• Patti LaBelle
• Hall and Oates
• Mick Jagger with Tina Tuner
• Bob Dylan with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood from the Stones

JFK Stadium doesn’t even exist anymore. On that day however, it was the center of the universe. Sure, London had Queen but Philly held its own and maybe even stole the show. If you weren’t there, you probably wish you had been. If you were there, you probably still tell people about it like it was a fever dream.

Live Aid wasn’t just a concert. It was a moment.

We’re talking a once-in-a-lifetime alignment of music and meaning. These days, I don’t think it’s crazy to say that rock and roll music is officially dead. What band is actually making rock music these days? I’m not talking about the 90s or early 2000s bands. I mean in the 2020s. Who’s new and making good music?

I can’t think of one band…sad, really.

Live 8 tried to follow it up in 2005—Jay-Z, Linkin Park, Stevie Wonder, Maroon 5, Kanye and Destiny’s Child all hit the Parkway. That was cool but doesn’t compare to what happened at JFK Stadium in 1985.

Live Aid was different and legendary in all aspects of the word.

Happy 40th anniversary to Live Aid. And shoutout to my parents for being part of it while the rest of us were still figuring out how to crawl….or in my case, weren’t even here yet.

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