July 13th 1985. The day music took over the world, beamed live from London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s JFK Stadium, and into the homes and hearts, of nearly two billion people. With rock royalty, pop icons, and a cause that stirred the globe, Live Aid became more than a concert. It became a defining cultural moment.
Today is the 40th anniversary of this monumental event and we asked our Radio Nova presenters to share their own memories from VHS tapes to the electrifying sound of Queen owning the world’s stage.
Here’s what they remembered:
“I was working for Radio Nova back in 1985, when we were based in Rathfarnham,” says Greg. “That day, I had my car serviced by a guy from a pirate radio station, Shea, I’ll never forget him. He dropped it back just in time for me to catch more of Live Aid on the family Sony Trinitron.”
Before heading home, Greg watched the broadcast on a massive rear-projection Sony TV in the bar of a nightclub. “It was jaw-dropping. Unbelievable. What stands out most? David Bowie. Magic.”
As for the charts that week? “Number one was Frankie by Sister Sledge,” he smirks. “But the less said about that, the better.”
“When I think of Live Aid,” says PJ, “it’s just Bob Geldof shouting at everyone: Give us all your money now!” He laughs. “I don’t remember Queen or Bowie like everyone else. I remember the crowds, and Bob yelling that we should sell our cars, maybe even the kids!”
Jim has a slightly different memory: “I was working a summer job with my brother-in-law painting and decorating. When we finished up that day, we went to the pub, and there it was, Live Aid, playing on the telly behind the bar.”
PJ chuckles, “That’s Jim’s big Live Aid moment, not Queen or Bono, just a bunch of decorators in a pub. Classic.”
The pair also remember Ireland being praised for its generosity. “Everyone said the Irish gave more per capita than any other country,” says PJ. “It was a rough time economically, but we still showed up.”
“Although,” Jim adds, “to this day, I’ve never met anyone who actually phoned in and donated!”
“I was 11,” recalls Marty, “and we had a big Live Aid party at my uncle’s place with food, drinks, the works. It felt like the whole estate was doing the same.”
Too young to sit still all day, Marty dipped in and out. But some memories stuck: “Queen: my first musical love, Freddie had the world in the palm of his hand. And I saw The Who for the first time. That started a lifelong obsession.”
Matt was one of the many who glued himself to the screen for the full 16 hours. “It was on the radio too, so I taped as much as I could. I played those tapes for ages afterward.”
But then came an unexpected twist. “A few months later, our house was broken into. Among the things taken? My Live Aid tapes! I was heartbroken.”
Still, Matt remembers the magic of that day. “It’s hard to believe it’s been 40 years. What a time.”
Whether it was Freddie commanding Wembley, Phil Collins flying across the Atlantic, or Queen stealing the show, Live Aid wasn’t just a concert, it was a moment. A moment that moved people to give, to gather, to remember.
Radio Nova’s presenters each lived it in their own way, through tiny TVs, massive pub screens, or audio tapes that vanished into history. And as we celebrate 40 years since that epic day, the legacy lives on, not just in music, but in the memories we carry.
