We love rock and value the importance of the genre in music and society. Let’s remember a little bit of the history of International Rock N’ Roll Day.
Musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure founded “Band Aid Trust” in 1984 with the purpose of organizing the Live Aid Concert to collect funds to help against the hunger crisis in Africa.
International Rock ’N Roll Day was commemorated on July 13, 1985, right after the success of the Live Aid concert held at Wembley Stadium (London) and J.F.K. Stadium (Philadelphia).
Many artists from Europe and the United States such as Judas Priest, Queen, Led Zeppelin, U2, Dire Straits, Madonna, David Bowie, and many more joined to help this cause.
Global impact
- The event raised $127 million in famine relief for African nations
- The impact of Live Aid has inspired concert initiatives around the World
- It became one of the most significant cultural events in history, even though the intention was to be a political lobby
Header image by Georges De Keerle—Getty Images
