It was the mid-1980s: a groundbreaking music project emerged and ignited a series of events meant to make the world a better place for all of us. These projects left an indelible mark on the world. What made this initiatives truly extraordinary was their ability to captivate and engage young people, opening their minds to the problems faced by African nations, often out-shadowed by the cold war, that seemed like a more tangible threat to the youth of the western societies. The Band Aid and USA for Africa projects used the power of rock and pop music, a universal language that resonated deeply with the youth, to convey important messages about compassion, empathy, and the need for collective action.

 Music has long been recognized as a powerful medium for expression, capable of transcending cultural and language barriers. It has a unique ability to evoke emotions, inspire movements and foster connections. It is within this context that the Band Aid and USA for Africa used the power of music, particularly rock and pop genres, to raise awareness and initiate social change. By leveraging the art form that resonated deeply with young people, these two perojects created a bridge between distant lands and young hearts, opening up a world of understanding and empathy.

Initiated and led by Bob Geldof, the frontman of The Boomtown Rats and Midge Ure from the Ultravox, the BAND AID project aimed to address the terrible famine crisis in Africa, particularly Ethiopia. It was initially founded with the aim to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia by releasing the song "Do They Know t's Christmas?". The song, written by Geldof and Ure, was recorded between 11 am and 7 pm on 25 November 1984 in London and was filmed for the needs of a video to be released for TV. Over 40 among the most popular pop and rock bands and singers, mostly from UK and Ireland, took part in the project, among them were the U2, Sting, Phill Colins, George Michael, Paul Weller, Paul Young, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, the Culture Club, David Bowie, Paul Mccartney and others.

The single and the video were released on 3 December 1983. Needless to say, the single immediately become the Christmas number one song in many European charts. The single "Do They Know t's Christmas?" was highly successful worldwide. It sold over three million copies around the world and raised more than 24 million USD.

This project was a huge success and a perfect example of Celebrity Diplomacy, inspiring similar actions of support from countries such as Canada, France, Spain and the United States. Most notable among these was Quincy Jones’s project USA for AFRICA, that managed to gather the most famous US artists of the moment for the recording of the single “We Are the World” in January 1985. The hit, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie generated some 50 million USD in donations and received a Grammy for song of the year.

The success of Band Aid and USA for Africa inspired Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to stage a fund-raising event that was described as a “global jukebox,” collecting dozens of acts for a marathon 16-hour live music event. The LIVE AID Concert was held on Saturday 13 July 1985, simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, attended by about 72,000 people, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, attended by 90.000 people.

The concert was also broadcasted live via satellite in 150 countries all over the world for the entire duration of the event. More than 300 phone lines were active and ready to collect donations from the public. The funds rose (127 million USD) widely exceeded the expectations. Millions of viewers tuned in to watch the concerts, witnessing the unifying power of music and the importance of coming together to address global issues. The images of musicians passionately performing for a cause became ingrained in the collective consciousness of young people, leaving an indelible impression.

The Band Aid and USA for Africa projects were not limited to a single song or album. They were a catalyst for a global movement. The initiatives’ influence extended far beyond the charts, encouraging young people to delve deeper into the realities of poverty, famine and injustice in Africa. They ignited a passion for social activism, empowering young minds to take action and effect change in their own communities.