Live Aid at 40: Where Are Madonna, Queen, and Music’s Biggest Stars Now?

Forty years ago, on July 13, 1985, the world witnessed a musical milestone with Live Aid, a dual-continent concert held at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. This extraordinary event, aimed at raising funds for famine relief in Ethiopia, reached an estimated 1.9 billion viewers across 150 countries, cementing its place as one of history’s most iconic broadcasts.

The star power on display was staggering. In Philadelphia, legends like Madonna, now 66 and still reigning as the best-selling female artist of all time, captivated audiences. She’s since become the first woman to earn $1 billion from live concerts and continues to create music that resonates globally. Tina Turner, who shared the stage with Mick Jagger, left an indelible mark before her passing in 2023. Jagger, at 81, remains a force, still performing with the Rolling Stones, though their 2025 European tour was recently canceled.

Across the pond in London, Queen delivered a historic 20-minute set at Wembley, a performance that revitalized the band at a time when they teetered on the edge of collapse. Tragically, frontman Freddie Mercury passed in 1991, and bassist John Deacon retired soon after. Yet, guitarist Brian May, 77, and drummer Roger Taylor carry on, with May producing solo work and Taylor still active in music.

Elton John, now 78, also graced Wembley’s stage and continues to create, recently releasing a new album with Brandi Carlile. Bob Dylan, 84, who famously broke a guitar string during his set with Rolling Stones members, keeps touring with dates lined up this year. David Bowie, who performed his iconic 'Heroes,' passed in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of innovation.

Then there’s Phil Collins, the only artist to play both venues in a single day—a feat of endurance. Though health challenges have slowed him, his 2022 Genesis tour, where he sang seated while his son Nic drummed, showed his unwavering spirit. Collins recently hinted at stepping away from music, lacking the 'hunger' to create anew. His Wembley duet partner, Sting, 73, remains vibrant with his ongoing 'Sting 3.0' world tour.

Other luminaries like George Michael, who joined Elton John for a memorable duet, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, who rocked 'American Girl,' are no longer with us, passing in 2016 and 2017, respectively. Yet their contributions to Live Aid endure.

Live Aid wasn’t just a concert; it was a global cry for change, uniting artists and audiences in a shared mission. Four decades later, the echoes of those performances remind us of music’s power to heal and inspire.