Greatest Hits Radio to air full Live Aid on anniversary

Greatest Hits Radio is set to broadcast the full Live Aid concert in real time on its 40th anniversary.

The station will replay the entire ten-hour show as it happened on Sunday 13 July 1985, with the special programme airing from midday to 10pm.

In a UK radio first, Greatest Hits Radio has partnered with the Band Aid Trust to deliver the original performances from Wembley Stadium alongside commentary from presenters including Simon Mayo, Martin Kemp, Jackie Brambles, Ken Bruce, Jenny Powell, Richard Allinson and Kate Thornton.

Martin performed at the original Live Aid event as a member of Spandau Ballet. Simon, who attended as a ticket holder, will host the broadcast.

Listeners will also hear from people who worked on the show 40 years ago, fans who were there, and members of the cast of the West End production Just For One Day, which tells the story of Live Aid.

Bob Geldof from the Band Aid Trust said: “What better time than now to know and understand the power of music and what it can achieve.”

The broadcast will end with the final episode of a new four-part documentary series Live Aid: 40 Years On, produced by Gimme Sugar for Bauer Media. The series begins on Sunday 29 June at 4pm and features interviews with Bob Geldof, Midge Ure, Sir Brian May, Roger Taylor and Harvey Goldsmith.

Network Content Director Andy Ashton said recreating Live Aid was “a huge privilege” and thanked the Band Aid Trust for their involvement.

The ten-hour tribute Live Aid Relived will be broadcast on Greatest Hits Radio on Sunday 13 July.