From memory, he wanted to play, but there was no slot available. I don’t think he was initially offered the gig, because he would have accepted.
Although Bruce couldn't attend due to touring commitments the stage at Wembley was Bruce's. He played Wembley the week previous & agreed to leave the stage as his contribution.
Bruce got married in May so I don't think it was a honeymoon that interfered. The European leg of the "BITUSA" tour ended a few days before Live Aid and I believe the main reason Bruce didn't play is because he felt the band needed time off before they started the final US leg in early August. I believe Bruce has expressed regret that he didn't at least do a solo acoustic set in Philly but it wasn't in the cards for E Street to be there, too...
Could be, though given how many "C"-level acts were on the bill, I think they could've found a slot for a superstar like Rod Stewart!
??? George had last toured in 1974 and his musical career was hardly stellar in 1985. A (remaining) Beatles reunion on the other hand...
The Beatles. The whole rumor was that the three living would unite with Sean. Would have been pretty cool. How good? Who knows.
Bob Dylan went missing sometime in the middle of the evening and had to be replaced by a very poor tribute artist.
There’s mention of it here; several paragraphs down. He claimed it was because his guitarist couldn’t get a visa for the US, but it appears he was downgraded to doing a duet with Madonna, and consequently felt he was being snubbed by the organisers. ABOUT ROD - Biography 80s
Yes, I was just about to post that... IIRC Bruce agreed to leave his stage and some equipment free of charge as a contribution to the cause.
Not sure how seriously I take that site - it's pretty heavily slanted toward the glorification of all things Rod! Maybe all they offered Rod was a duet with Madonna, but that honestly sounds sketchy to me...
Bruce's tour was on a break when Live Aid occurred - which is why he was able to let them use his stage. So "touring commitments" weren't the issue beyond the band being tired and needing a break before the final US leg...
Can't imagine Michael Jackson performing - too uncontrollable and unstable of an environment, and he always liked to rehearse and prepare his live appearances.
It’s a shame John Lennon couldn’t have been with us to have made an appearance at Philadelphia. Just as Paul’s performance of “Let It Be” at Wembley was a highlight (in spite of the microphone problem), so too a rousing 100,000 person sing-along of “Give Peace A Chance” followed up with “Imagine” being broadcast to the entire planet might have shaped a generation. Imagine... (long sigh)
I remember at the time thinking it would be cool if McCartney sang "Imagine." The lyrics fit the occasion far better than "Let it Be" (which really doesn't fit at all) and it would be a way for Lennon to be there in spirit.
Iron Maiden would have stormed it and been one of the best acts. They were at their peak then and a 20 minute set including Aces High, Run To The Hills, Number of the Beast and Two Minutes To Midnight couldn't have failed.
