Live Aid at 40: Where are the iconic performers now after historic concert?

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Live Aid It was a global phenomenon that took place simultaneously in two separate locations, all focusing on helping raise funds and awareness for hunger relief in Ethiopia.

Two concerts were held on July 13th, 1985 at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. The show has aired to an estimated 1.9 billion people in 150 countries, making it one of the largest broadcast events of the time.

Philadelphia’s impressive lineup included Madonna, Tina Turner and Mick Jagger, but in London icons like Elton John and Queen adored Wembley Stadium’s stage.

Queen Madonna and Freddie Mercury performed at Live Aid 40 years ago. (Getty Images)

Phil Collins performed at both stadiums, particularly for historic live aid concerts.

Madonna confesses her motherly challenges and balances her career: “I’m struggling.”

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest acts from Live Aid and where it is now 40 years later.

Madonna

Madonna performs on stage at Live Aid. (Photo: Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

Madonna He was one of the live AIDS singers at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

Madonna, 66, is the bestselling female recording artist of all time and the first female artist to generate $1 billion from a live concert. She continues to make new music.

Madonna is still making music. (Getty Images)

Queen

Freddie Mercury and Queen perform live on stage at Live Aid. (Photo: Phil Dent/Redferns)

British rock band Queen adored the stage at Wembley Stadium and won the historic 20-minute set. Leading by frontman Freddie Mercury, the band was on the verge of division before their performance.

Mercury passed away in 1991 a few years after his live aid. 73-year-old bassist John Deacon retired from music with Queen after Mercury’s death.

Queen of 1973: drummer Roger Taylor, singer Freddie Mercury, guitarist Brian May, bassist John Deacon. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Lead guitarist Brian May77 continued after Mercury’s death, producing solo albums “Back to the Light” and “Another World.”

Drummer Roger Taylor, who co-founded Queen and Mercury, continues to make music.

Tina Turner

Mick Jagger and Tina Turner sang together on Live Aid. (Photo by Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)

Tina Turner was another incredible performer at Live Aid. During one song, Mick Jagger played with an icon.

Turner passed away in May 2023.

Mick Jagger

Mick Jagger is on stage during a live aid concert in the United States. (Photo by Jean-Louis Atlan/Sygma via Getty Images)

Mick Jagger performed with Tina Turner on Live Aid, but he also took to the stage to perform solo hits such as “Just Another Night” and “Miss You.”

Best known as the lead singer of the Rolling Stones, Jaguar is currently performing at the age of 81.

Mick Jagger saw him leave his 80th birthday party in London last year. (Photo: Ricky Vigil M/Justin E Palmer/GC image)

The Rolling Stones were scheduled to tour in 2025, but cancelled shows in the UK and Europe. The band reportedly still on tour in 2026.

Elton John

Elton John, Live Aid, Wembley Stadium, July 13, 1985 (Photo: Solomon n’jie/Getty Images) (Photo: Solomon N’jie/Getty Images)

Elton John was one of many British musicians performing at Wembley Stadium.

John, 78, is still making music. His latest album, Brandi Carlile, “Who Believes in Angels,” was released in April.

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Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan performed at the Live Aid Benefit Concert at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. (Photo: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images)

Bob Dylan was a Live Aid performer. During his performance, he broke the guitar strings while playing with Rolling Stones members Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood.

Wood eventually handed Dylan the guitar to finish the set.

40 years later, 84-year-old Dylan continues to make music, with several tour dates scheduled for the remainder of the year.

Bob Dylan continues to make music. (Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images for ABA)

David Bowie

David Bowie performed at Live Aid. (Photo: Georges de Keerle/Getty Images)

David Bowie played “Hero” in Live AIDS in 1985.

The English singer died of liver cancer in 2016 after an 18-month battle. He passed away in January, just two days after his 69th birthday.

Sting wound

Stung wounds on Phil Collins and Live Aid. (Photo: ©Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)

Phil Collins and Sting performed “The Long, Long Path” at Wembley Stadium for Live Aid.

The 73-year-old Sting has many tour dates left this year for his “Sting 3.0” world tour.

Sting continues to tour in 2025. (Getty Images)

Phil Collins

Phil Collins performed during a live aid at John F. Kennedy Stadium. (Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Earlier this year, Collins considered making new music, but said longtime Genesis members weren’t willing to do so anymore.

“I think I should go downstairs to the studio and see what happens, but I’m not hungry for that anymore, I mean I was sick. Mojo.

Genisis took part in the tour in 2022, with Collins taking part. He sat in a chair to sing during the performance, and his son Nick played the drums.

At the end of the tour’s final show, Collins said The final performance of Genesis.

Genisis took part in the tour in 2022, with Collins taking part. He sat in a chair to sing during the performance, and his son Nick played the drums. (Jinwetzler/Red Ferns)