I Was There - Gigs That Changed The World Absolute Radio

Can music change the world? Those at the heart of Live Aid recall the event that changed music’s role in the world, charity and celebrity culture forever, 35 years on.

Bob Geldof, Live Aid organiser
Harvey Goldsmith, Live Aid promoter
Paul Gambaccini, Live Aid broadcaster
And contributions from Live Aid performers such as Martin Kemp, Alison Moyet and Brian May

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“All the way from Trenchtown, Jamaica – Bob Marley and the Wailers”, this introduction 45 years ago announced reggae arrival in Britain. With them they brought optimism, love and a music to unite!

Chris Blackwell – Island Records founder and Bob Marley producer
Danny Holloway – worked for island records and produced/recorded the show
Roger Steffens – Bob Marley writer, archivist and lecturer
Philip Norman – Journalist who reviewed the gig for the Times
Dennis Morris, Bob Marley photographer
Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore – Guitarist and celloist with Third World, Bob Marley’s support act

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We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

A day that should have seen one of the world’s biggest bands put on the Woodstock of the East. Instead, anarchy ensued. We remember the gig that ended in the loss of life and the counterculture.

Joel Selvin, music critic and Altamont writer
Langdon Winner, contributing writer to the significant Rolling Stone article on Altamont
Bill Owens, photographer of the carnage

Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio.

We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

The first and (up until very recently) last tour of a mercurial pop superstar. A show that aimed to combine music, dance, poetry, mime, burlesque, magic and theatre, was it too ambitious for its own good? Or did it change what could be achieved in pop?

Anthony Van Laast, Kate Bush choreographer
Richard Ames, Tour manager
Graeme Thomson, Kate Bush writer

Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio.

We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

Two and a half million people applied for tickets to see the biggest British band since the Beatles play two huge shows at Knebworth. It was a weekend that marked the pinnacle of Britpop and the defining musical event of the 90s.

Claire Sturgess, Radio presenter and gig attendee
Andre Barreau, George Harrison in the Bootleg Beatles opening Knebworth
Mike Lowe, Oasis sound engineer
With contributions from Noel Gallagher

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We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

A musical event that needs no introduction, it’s the most iconic music festival of all time, one that all gigs are now compared to. With historic performances from Jimi Hendrix, the Who and Janis Joplin, this weekend is synonymous with the 60s and hippy culture.

Bob Gruen, Rock and Roll photographer
Chip Monck, Woodstock MC
Nick & Bobbi Ercoline, the couple in the iconic Woodstock album photograph
Burk Uzzle, photographer who took the photo of the Ercolines
Jorma Kaukonen, Jefferson Airplane guitarist

Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio.

We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.