Get ready to embark on a nostalgic rock‘n’roll journey through music history as Punwin Productions presents the first Australian production of Live Aid: The Songs and Stories at Laycock St Community Theatre.
This Australian live music premiere will celebrate what was billed as the greatest day in rock‘n’roll history, promising to be a unique live concert experience featuring songs performed at the groundbreaking Live Aid Concert 39 years ago.
Produced and hosted by respected and loved Australian entertainment reporter Maurice Parker, the event will see songs performed by Aussie rock legend Paul Field from The Cockroaches headlining a six-piece band with big screen appearances and interviews from the stars who appeared on stage at the historic events in Wembley Stadium, London, JFK Stadium, Philadelphia as well as Sydney’s Oz for Africa concert.
Live Aid, the historic benefit concert organised by Bob Geldof in 1985, captivated the world with its star-studded line-up of more than 75 international artists such as Queen, Elton John, Eric Clapton, U2, The Who, The Beach Boys, David Bowie, Madonna and the Rolling Stones, who came together for famine in Africa as the two events happened concurrently across the Atlantic.
On that day, July 13, 1985, 1.9 billion people – almost 40 per cent of the world’s population – came together to support the multi-venue, transcontinental benefit concert.
Also on that day, the event inspired Oz for Africa which took place at the Sydney Entertainment Centre where Parker was heavily involved.
“I actually attended the Oz for Africa Concert in Sydney that night and hosted the Channel 7 Live Aid Telethon which was quite a daunting task,” Parker said.
“I remember Live Aid like it was yesterday, from The Cars’ performance of Drive which became an unofficial anthem for Live Aid, right through to Queen’s amazing performance at Wembley with Freddie Mercury the ultimate frontman who united the world that day.
“That is why I want to recreate this amazing event in some small way.”
Now, almost four decades later, music enthusiasts will have the chance to relive the energy and passion of that momentous day with Parker and Field who have worked with many of the international artists who appeared at Live Aid and Oz for Africa on that famous day.
Parker interviewed Live Aid artists such as Bob Dylan, Sting and Bryan Adams while Field, in his Cockroaches days, supported Live Aid creator Bob Geldolf during his Australian tour in 1986.
“I was a young fella playing in Sydney’s pubs and clubs with The Cockroaches when Live Aid happened,” said Field, who is also the manager of The Wiggles.
“It totally blew my mind and as a passionate Stones fan, Mick Jagger strutting and singing with Tina Turner was my highlight.
“And to see Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood introduced by legendary Philadelphia host Jack Nicholson to perform with Bob Dylan was pure gold.
“So, I cannot wait to faithfully recreate all of the songs from both venues and also Oz for Africa with the band.”
Audiences at the Laycock St Theatre can expect to hear more than 20 of the biggest hits performed at Live Aid including Queen, Status Quo, Elton John, Madonna, Simple Minds, The Cars, Duran Duran, Nik Kershaw, Mick Jagger, Spandau Ballet, The Pretenders as well as classics performed at Oz For Africa such as INXS, The Angels, Dragon and more.
The concert will be on July 21. Tickets are available from TicketSearch Online