“What better time than now to know and understand the power of music and what it can achieve” – Bob Geldof

Greatest Hits Radio will mark the 40th anniversary of Live Aid next month by replaying the entire concert as it happened, in a ten-hour special broadcast hosted by Simon Mayo.

In a UK radio first, the station has partnered with the Band Aid Trust to recreate the global benefit concert in real time on Sunday 13th July, four decades to the day since it first aired to over 1.5 billion people around the world.

From midday to 10pm, Greatest Hits Radio will play the original live performances from Wembley Stadium, accompanied by reflections and commentary from the station’s presenters, including Martin Kemp – who took to the stage at the 1985 event with Spandau Ballet – plus Jackie Brambles, Ken Bruce, Jenny Powell, Richard Allinson and Kate Thornton.

Listeners will also hear from fans and figures involved in the original production, as well as cast members from the upcoming West End stage show Just For One Day, which brings the story of Live Aid to a new generation.

Simon Mayo said, “I was there as a paying customer 40 years ago and I can’t wait to relive that extraordinary day. Apart from finding a place to park in Wembley of course.”

Bob Geldof, co-founder of the Band Aid Trust said, “Thank you Greatest Hits Radio for hopefully letting people know that they are not powerless in the face of human monstrosity. What better time than now to know and understand the power of music and what it can achieve.”

The day-long tribute will culminate in the final episode of Live Aid: 40 Years On, a new documentary series produced by Gimme Sugar for Bauer Media. The series features exclusive interviews with key figures behind the scenes, including Geldof, Midge Ure, Roger Taylor, Sir Brian May and Harvey Goldsmith, offering an inside look at how the event came together across two continents in just 10 weeks.

Praising the new series, Geldof added, “This is the story of when and how rock music took on the world… and won. Maybe the greatest series of radio documentaries about Live Aid I have listened to — and believe me, there have been thousands.”

Andy Ashton, Network Content Director for Greatest Hits Radio, said, “To be able to recreate Live Aid for a radio audience, exactly 40 years on, is a huge privilege. We’re proud to celebrate this enduring moment in global music history with our listeners, and grateful to the Band Aid Trust for trusting Greatest Hits Radio to do it justice.”

Live Aid Relived airs Sunday 13th July from midday on Greatest Hits Radio.
Live Aid: 40 Years On begins Sunday 29 June at 4pm.

ENDS

About Greatest Hits Radio

At Greatest Hits Radio it’s all about the music and the unique feeling that hearing a great song gives you, with listeners able discover an upbeat, authentic, fun and entertaining format where the ‘Good Times Sound Like This’. Targeting an audience of 40+, the station plays the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s including music from iconic artists such as Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston.

Featuring a presenter line-up of legendary broadcasters including; Ken Bruce, Simon Mayo, Jackie Brambles, Paul Gambaccini, Jenny Powell and many more, Greatest Hits Radio is part of the Hits Radio Portfolio. Find the station on your radio, mobile or ask your smart speaker to play ‘Greatest Hits Radio.’