Live Aid: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Everyone played Live Aid. If you were invited to perform at this massive benefit concert in 1985, you were one of the top acts in the world at the time. And if you were not invited to play, you were jealous of those that were. I don't think there ever was before it, or ever will be after it, a more impressive lineup of artists all associated with the same event. And I'm including Woodstock on that list. Controversial, sure... Woodstock was one of the greatest music events of all time. It had Jimi, Janis, The Who, The Band, and Santana, but Live Aid had McCartney, Dylan, Jagger and Richards, Page and Plant, The Who, Clapton, Bowie, Queen, U2, CSNY, Sabbath, and Madonna. And that list goes on and on. If you're not very familiar with this event, and even if you are, do yourself a favor and pick up the 4-DVD set that was released recently, documenting the concert. Not all of the performaces are outstanding, but the DVD set effectively and completely captures the state of popular music at the beginning of the MTV-era.

One of my favorite performances from this event was from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. In front of 90,000 TP and the boys cranked out a few of their many greatest hits.

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers
American Girl
Live Aid
July 13, 1985