This Day in Music
On this day in music, July 13, 1985, the world’s biggest music stars gathered at London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium for Live Aid. One of the most memorable moments in 80s pop culture, Live Aid was the brainchild of Bob Geldof and Midge Ure (the organizers behind “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”), who sought to raise additional funds to bring relief to Ethiopia, amid a years-long famine. An ambitious satellite feed broadcast the show across the globe, as performances by Queen, Paul McCartney, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, and U2 (among many others) kicked off the concert in London. Across the Atlantic, Madonna, Run-D.M.C., and Tom Petty took to the stage, while acts like Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Black Sabbath reunited. In one particularly epic moment, Phil Collins performed on both continents, thanks to well-coordinated helicopter and Concorde flights. Approximately £150 million was raised from the day-long event.
In 1991, Bryan Adams began a record-breaking 16-week consecutive run at the top of the UK pop chart with “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You.” The power ballad, which was featured on the soundtrack to the blockbuster film, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, also enjoyed a seven-week run at No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 18 consecutive weeks at the top of the European-wide chart. The song, which remains the Canadian singer-songwriter’s most successful hit, went on to win a Grammy and earned an Academy Award nomination.
In 1974, George McCrae hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “Rock Your Baby.” The song, which also topped pop charts in the UK, Canada, Italy, and Germany (among many other territories), is widely considered to be the first breakthrough disco hit.
In 1966, Ike & Tina Turner scored their first major hit in the UK with “River Deep – Mountain High.” The song, which peaked at No.3 on the British pop charts, caught the attention of the Rolling Stones, who invited the couple to open for them. In 1970, the tune was covered famously by Motown giants The Supremes and the Four Tops.
BORN ON JULY 13
1938: Al Rex (Bill Haley & His Comets)
1942: Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
1942: Stephen Bladd (The J. Geils Band)
1955: Mark “The Animal” Mendoza (Twisted Sister)
1966: Gerald Levert (LeVert, LSG)
1969: Barney Greenway (Napalm Death)
1974: Deborah Cox
1988: Tulisa (N-Dubz)
