Global jukebox raises millions

Press, 15 July 1985, Page 1

Global jukebox raises millions

NZPA-AP London The world’s top rock groups boomed a plea around the world for Africa’s starving people, and music lovers responded with pledges and contributions exceeding $84.4 million, said Live Aid concert organisers last evening. The final tally could top $lOO million. The Irish singer, Bob Geldof, the prime mover behind the event, called it the best day of his life and David Bowie urged that the world’s biggest pop concert, beamed by satellite to 160 nations and a potential audience of 1.5 billion people, become an annual event. “This is a very great day for everybody,” said Geldof, aged 32, as the sounds from London’s Wembley Stadium faded and the 16-hour concert headed for its finale at Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium. Hours before the end of the global concert, Live Aid surpassed the £lO million ($28.5 million) Geldof had hoped to raise.

Geldof, flanked by Bowie, the singer, Alison Moyet, and the Who’s guitarist, Peter Townshend, was lifted shoulder-high on the 42m revolving stage as Paul McCartney led the audience, of 72,000, with a version of the Beatles classic, “Let It Be.”

Organisers at Wembley announced that British pledges had topped £11.5 million ($32.77 million). Pledges, yet to be added to the total, were made in many other countries. Almost everyone who is anyone in United States and British pop music took part, along with additional live feeds to some countries by groups from about a dozen other nations ranging in distance and ideology from Japan to the Soviet Union. Australian footage was shown from a concert held on Friday. More than $3.6 million was raised in Australia. The final figure is expected to be higher, however, as an aid recording is planned. Commentators called it rock’s finest hour — an

outpouring of voluntary effort for the starving by performers often regarded as inhabiting a world of drugs, tax havens, easy liaisons, and high living.

Geldof and a who’s who of rock stars said goodbye at the end of the 10-hour Wembley concert — linked to Philadelphia for its last half - by singing “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” The record, made last December by British rock stars formed into the group, Band Aid, launched Geldofs money-raising for Africa. His effort was prompted by television footage he saw of starving Ethiopians last year. American stars followed the Band Aid example with a release, “We are the World,” the two hit records raised $61.9 million. As the satellites hooked up and the numbers rolled and the money came during the week-end, Geldof looked at times incredulous. “You can tell the world it’s wonderful,” said Geldof, lead singer of the Boomtown Rats. “I just realised

that today is the best day of my life.” The biggest single pledge reported was £1 million ($2.85 million) from oil-rich Dubai, whose ruling al-Mak-toum family own a string of race horses in Britain. Between performances by groups and singers such as Elton John, Nik Kershaw, Status Quo, and The Who — who got back together for Live Aid — Geldof talked in the money in his highly personal style. “Don’t go to the pub tonight. Stay home and send us money. Give it to me.” A British Labour member of Parliament, Mr Tom Torney, announced that he would put forward in the House of Commons a motion urging that Geldof be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on the grounds that the singer had succeeded where bureaucrats had failed. “The award ... would be acclaimed throughout the world and be seen as a gesture to belie the allegation that such honours go only to obscure eggheads

and boffins,” said Mr Torney. A former Foreign Secretary; Dr David Owen, leader of Britain’s Social Democratic Party, said young people had put to shame official expressions of concern by Governments. “Live Aid is a symbol of hope of which we can all be proud,” he said. Geldof has spearheaded fund-raising for Africa which surpasses the £25.8 million ($73.53 million) given to Ethiopia by the British Government last year. Everyone, from the kings of rock through to publicists, technicians, and policemen, helped make Live Aid without payment. And as London’s “Sunday Times” commented, the stars also “left their egos behind.”

Groups which command huge fees for a single performance took whatever slot they were allocated in the marathon and were hustled uncomplaining from dressing rooms after 20minute turns. Live from Moscow, a

Soviet commentator in collar and tie introduced the Soviet group, Autograph, as “top of the pops” and said they were proud to take part. Prince Charles, Britain’s opera-loving heir to the Throne, turned up at Wembley with the Princess of Wales, an ardent pop fan. The Royal couple clapped alongside Geldof, dressed in jeans and denim jacket, and the English singer, Adam Ant, clad in black leather. The Princess received a bouquet from the small daughter of Geldof and his girlfriend, the television personality, Paula Yates. Bowie, urging that Live Aid . become an annual event, said, “I think a lot of us would (take part annually) ... until starvation not only in Africa, but in many areas, is under control. “The response from around the world, the collaboration ... it is absolutely fabulous. This surpasses everything.” Further reports and pictures, page .6