Radio 2 to be part of BBC’s programming marking 40 years since Live Aid

As the BBC marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid this July, Radio 2 will broadcast Live Aid – The Fans Story on Sunday 13 July, exactly 40 years since the concert.

This special, airing early on the Sunday morning, 12am – 1am, is introduced by Radio 2’s Paul Gambaccini who sets the scene and recalls his involvement on that day back in 1985, broadcasting backstage for the BBC.

Midge Ure and Bob Geldof reflect on the event, and some of the big-name performers of the day will also feature.

These include Francis Rossi of Status Quo, Dee C. Lee of The Style Council, Howard Jones, Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Billy Ocean, Nik Kershaw as well as Iain Parkhouse of the Coldstream Guards.

Plus, Radio 2’s host of Sounds of the 80s Gary Davies, as well as Michelle Visage (who watched from her home in New Jersey) and Michael Ball will share their memories of where they were and how they watched the event.

There will also be stories from pop fans Jayne, Laura, Simon and Lucy who travelled from different parts of the UK to be at Wembley on that day, recalling a pre-internet world of holding physical tickets and enjoying the moment, without documenting it for social media.

Elsewhere, BBC Two will broadcast Live Aid at 40, which reveals the behind-the-scenes story of the 1985 concert and a programme with the working title, Live Aid the Concert which includes over 6.5 hours of extended highlights of the London and Philadelphia concerts.