CNN Presents the 4 part docuseries, "Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World".
Behind-the-scenes video is unearthed for this historical series.
On the 40th anniversary to the day of the charity rock concert that galvanized the world in 1985, CNN launches a four-part docuseries reliving the events that led to the fusion of music and activism, raising billions of dollars for African famine relief. The series traces the evolution from musician Bob Geldof‘s charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to the spectacular all-star charity concert staged in London’s Wembley Stadium and Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium. The live event enlisted superstars from Mick Jagger and Tina Turner to U2, Sting, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Madonna, The Who, and Queen.
The concert not only showed support for a healthcare epidemic, it also brought much needed awareness to global issues and diseases that had for so long been negatively viewed and stigmatized. For audiences and generations who weren’t alive when the original two-continent, 16-hour concert aired live, they now have a chance to learn about this monumental time in music history.
Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took on the World, a four-part documentary that dives into the colossal benefit show spearheaded by Bob Geldof, premieres at 9 p.m. (ET/PT) July 13 – the same date as the original event in 1985 – on CNN.
Celebrating the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, this four-part series tells the definitive story of how two rockstars inspired the largest global music events.
The docuseries will highlight this benefit concert event that became a global phenomenon, raising billions of dollars for famine relief. The series will also examine the impact of Live Aid on the music industry and its role in merging music and activism.
Moving, exciting, emotional, and honest. This docuseries is one that you do not want to miss! This documentary also explores and pays homage to many supportive patrons, individuals, communities, and entertainers such as Harry Belafonte. Belafonte, along with Michael Jackson and U.S. artists who were influential in the cause to help aid and give relief to those in Africa and all over the world who had been greatly affected by famine, hunger, and disease.
The episode titles and premiere dates are below:
Episode 1 of the four part docuseries titled “A Band Aid” is available right here.
Ep. 2 -“The Global Jukebox” 9 p.m. ET/PT July 20
Ep. 3- “The Greatest Show on Earth" 9 p.m. ET/PT July 27
Ep. 4- “Live 8 – 2005” 9 p.m. ET/PT Aug. 3 which underscores the challenges Geldof faced getting money allocated to the neediest African communities and explain why he staged another global concert 20 years after Live Aid.
The series will be broadcast in four parts, each running about 40-45 minutes, and will be available on CNN and through various streaming services.