From Queen to Madonna: 15 Iconic Photos From the 1985 Live Aid Concert

Written by Rachel Schneider on May 29, 2025

On July 13, 1985, music legends on both sides of the Atlantic came together for a cause — raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia — and made pop culture history. Live Aid was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, and featured acts like Phil Collins, Queen, Joan Baez, and Elton John. With 16 hours of nonstop performances, surprise duets, fashion moments, backstage antics, and 1.5 billion people watching from around the globe, the concert quickly became cemented in music history.

Whether you were there, watching it on TV, or just now discovering the magic, these pictures showcase the day when music tried to save the world.

1. No One Light a Match Backstage

A group of eight musicians from the 1980s pose together, smiling and laughing, wearing casual and glamorous outfits with big hair and colorful accessories against a plain backdrop. — j3434

These iconic musicians all joined together to put on a show at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Keith Richards, Daryl Hall, John Oates, Ron Wood, Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Madonna, and Bob Dylan all posed for this legendary snapshot backstage at the big show. Dare we say another name should be added too: Aqua Net.

2. Led Zeppelin

Two musicians perform on stage; one sings into a microphone wearing a blue shirt, the other plays a red double-neck guitar. Colorful lights create a vibrant background. — Getty Images/Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Robert Plant with his paisley pants and Jimmy Page with his double-neck guitar took the stage at JFK during Live Aid, marking the first time the band performed together since drummer John Bonham’s death five years earlier. Drummers Phil Collins and Tony Thompson filled in for Bonham; the surviving Zeppelin members were reportedly unhappy with the performance, and the band wasn’t officially included in the event releases.

3. Mick Jagger and Tina Turner

Two energetic performers sing closely into a microphone on stage, one wearing sunglasses and blue shirt, the other with spiky blonde hair, against a blurred background of stage lights and equipment. — Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images

Well before the Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson Super Bowl duet (and subsequent wardrobe malfunction), Mick Jagger and Tina Turner gave an electrifying performance at JFK during Live Aid. Their performance included the can’t-help-but-sing-along hit “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It),” famously ending with Tina playfully ripping off part of her skirt as the crowd roared.

4. Phil Collins Just After Being in the Air That Night (Get it?)

A man and woman smile while showing their watches at an airport, with a British Airways plane and a crowd of people visible in the background. The photo is in black and white. — j3434

There is a reason why Phil and his companion in the photo above are smiling at their watches: The musician was the only Live Aid performer who played in both Philadelphia and London on the same day. He started at Wembley Stadium in London, playing solo and as part of a set with Sting. Then he boarded a jet and flew across the Atlantic to JFK Stadium, where he performed again — this time solo, on drums for Eric Clapton, and as part of the aforementioned Led Zeppelin set.

5. Sade Adu and Her Iconic Top

A woman wearing a white long-sleeve top and large hoop earrings sings into a microphone with her eyes closed and both arms raised above her head, crossing her wrists. — ampr1150gs

Sade Adu performed at Wembley Stadium in London during Live Aid. Beyond her powerhouse performance, viewers were buzzing about her fashion choices for the day, which included a white cut-out top and big, gold hoop earrings.

6. Feed the World

A large crowd gathers in Wembley Stadium for the 1985 Live Aid concert. The stage features "Live Aid" logos and a banner reading "Feed the World July 13th 1985 at Wembley Stadium. — poopoofartdoo

The purpose of the Live Aid concert was to provide famine relief in Ethiopia, and the tagline “Feed the World” became synonymous with the concerts.

7. The Original Live Aid Flyer

A black and white Live Aid concert poster lists performers for Wembley Stadium, London and JFK Stadium, Philadelphia, with event details for July 13th and ticket information at the bottom. — SymbolicHuman

Imagine a stacked setlist like this on a flyer today. The price points would be through the roof. This flyer doesn’t even include all of the legendary performers that participated in the event.

8. Coming for You, David Bowie

A person stands indoors holding a blue banner that reads "LIVE DAVID BOWIE" in large white and red hand-painted letters. The person's face is mostly obscured by the banner. — Noisesevere

With so many big names performing at Live Aid, it was easy to be excited to see lots of musicians all at once. But the diehard fans cherry-picked who they wanted to go all out for, making signs and wearing outfits dedicated to their favorite performer of the bunch.

9. Quite the Crowd

A massive crowd of enthusiastic concertgoers stands packed together at an outdoor music festival, many with hands raised, some smiling and cheering, with a stage visible in the distant background. — Noisesevere

The turnout for Live Aid was massive. 1.5 billion people watched the events, including the 72,000 at Wembley Stadium and the 89,000 folks at JFK Stadium.

10. Three Legends Walked Up to a Microphone …

Several singers passionately perform together on stage, holding microphones. One wears a red tank top, another a black shirt. The background is dark with partial text and bright stage lights. The crowd appears energetic and joyful. — Chefkramsky

Bono, Paul McCartney, and Freddie Mercury all belting out a song together? Iconic isn’t a strong enough word.

11. Duran Duran

Two musicians perform on stage; the singer in a red jacket passionately sings into a microphone, while the guitarist beside him plays an electric guitar, hair tousled and focused. The background is dark, highlighting their energy. — KafkaZola

Duran Duran’s performance at JFK Stadium for Live Aid marked the group’s last performance with the original five members until their reunion several years later.

12. Madonna and Her Tambourine

A woman with wavy hair energetically performs on stage, holding a red tambourine. She wears a light-colored jacket, white top, and floral pants, with her hair flying mid-motion and mouth open as if singing. — irene74569

Madonna’s set was one of the most buzzed-about moments of Live Aid. At the time, she was skyrocketing in fame, fresh off her “Like a Virgin” album. Before launching into her set, she addressed the recent media frenzy over leaked nude photos by telling the crowd, “No, I ain’t taking s**t off today!”

13. Just Some Buds Hanging Out

Four people stand in front of a corrugated metal wall, casually dressed. Two men and two women face each other, engaged in conversation, with relaxed postures and neutral or thoughtful expressions. The photo is black and white. — atrailofdisasters

Boy George, Sting, Sade, and Peter Gabriel all posed for a picture. We have to admit: George is giving off a very different vibe than everyone else in this particular snapshot.

14. Now That’s What We Call a Duo

Two men stand side by side outdoors, smiling. One wears a bright yellow shirt over a green T-shirt and jeans; the other wears a dark suit, sunglasses, and a straw hat with a black band. — KafkaZola

Elton John brought out George Michael for a surprise duet of “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” and the Wembley crowd absolutely lost it.

15. The Icon Himself

A man with short dark hair and a mustache wears a white tank top and light jeans, raising one arm confidently while holding a microphone, performing on stage. — Kingsfan91__

Queen’s 20-minute set at Wembley is widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time — and it was all led by Freddie Mercury in peak form. With his white tank top, commanding stage presence, and that iconic vocal improvisation with the crowd (you know the one), Freddie stole the entire show from London all the way to PA.

Looking for more photos of historic events?

Be sure to read 17 Vintage Photos From Woodstock ’69 That Show What the Festival Was Really Like. You might also enjoy These 31 Vintage Photos Will Instantly Transport You to 1985 and 10 of the Most Expensive Musical Instruments in the World.