80s Central Announces ‘Live Aid At 40,’ Re-Broadcast + Interviews With Queen’s Brian May & Others

 

On July 13, 80s Central, an all-'80s radio station on the internet, is turning back the clock to one of the most iconic moments in music history: Live Aid. In honor of the legendary concert’s 40th anniversary, the station will broadcast Live Aid in its entirety, commercial-free, exactly as it happened in 1985, while featuring brand-new interviews with artists, insiders, and voices who were there when rock 'n' roll united the world.

"For 80s fans, this is the Super Bowl, the Grammys, and New Year’s Eve rolled into one,” said Christopher Shaw, Program Director at 80s Central. “Live Aid wasn’t just a concert — it was our Woodstock. And here at 80s Central, we’re honored to bring this historic day back to life.”

Beginning Sunday, July 13 at 8:00 a.m. ET, the rebroadcast of Live Aid takes place as it originally unfolded — uninterrupted and in real time, from both Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Listeners can relive every note, every roar from the crowd, and every transcendent moment that defined the spirit of a generation.

The broadcast will include unforgettable sets from Queen, U2, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Phil Collins, Sting, and many more. Even moments like Phil Collins performing on both sides of the Atlantic — thanks to a Concorde jet — will be faithfully recreated in their original sequence.

Interspersed throughout the music are never-before-heard reflections from artists and key players who helped bring Live Aid to life.

 “It was one of our finest hours — definitely one of Freddie’s finest hours. The planets were aligned, and the magic happened,” said guitarist Brian May of Queen). “No lights. No soundcheck. But it worked—because it was oiled by extreme goodwill. Everyone’s heart was in the right place.”

Solo artist Howard Jones added: “It was the most brilliant project of the ‘80s. Saving lives, showing the decade wasn’t just about greed and power.”

MTV VJ Mark Goodman who was on hand for Live Aid summed it up perfectly: “It was a seat-of-the-pants situation—terrifying and wonderful. People say it was the day the record business grew a conscience — and I saw that.”

Additional commentary will include rare behind-the-scenes insights from production staff, journalists, and crew members who worked feverishly to pull off one of the most ambitious broadcasts in history.

Live Aid At 40 is more than just a replay of a concert—it’s a global remembrance of a cultural awakening. Broadcast live to over 1.5 billion people in 150 countries, Live Aid raised more than $125 million for Ethiopian famine relief and forever changed the way music could serve a purpose beyond entertainment.

The 80s Central broadcast will also feature key international performances, including satellite-linked events like “Oz for Africa” in Sydney (featuring INXS, Men at Work, and Little River Band), as well as segments from Moscow, Tokyo, and Toronto — underscoring the unprecedented global scale of the effort.

Whether you're reliving it or experiencing it for the first time, Live Aid At 40 on 80s Central is your all-access pass to the day music made history. Prepare for a 10-hour, commercial-free celebration of a singular moment when the world came together in harmony — and made a difference. 

📡 How to Listen

📅 Sunday, July 13

⏰ 8:00 a.m. ET – Until the final encore

🌐 Stream it at 80sCentral.com or listen via Alexa, Roku, Audacy, Live365, or the 80s Central mobile app