Introduction
Live Aid Collaboration
In June 1985, with Live Aid’s global television event just days away, Bowie and Jagger convened at London’s Westside Studios to record a charity single for famine relief in Ethiopia. Their plan to perform live via satellite proved impractical due to delay issues, so the collaboration was completed in studio instead.
Recording Origins
According to session notes, the basic track was laid down in four hours on June 29, 1985, and finalized within 13 hours—an extraordinary feat that captured the spontaneous energy fueling two of rock’s most magnetic personalities.
The Remastered Video
The newly released remaster runs just under five minutes and seamlessly weaves together footage of Bowie and Jagger at Spillers Millennium Mills with archival clips from Live Aid’s rooftop stage. Mick Jagger himself recently reflected, “we enjoyed camping it up and trying to impersonate each other’s moves,” calling the video “hilarious to watch” and marveling at how timeless the performance remains. Fans on social media have praised the 4K upgrade’s vivid color depth and campy choreography revival, celebrating its joyful spirit all over again.
Vinyl Reissue & Charity
To mark the 40th anniversary, a limited-edition white vinyl reissue is slated for August 29, 2025, with 30 percent of proceeds pledged to The Band Aid Charitable Trust—a fitting continuation of the song’s original philanthropic mission.
Whether you first danced along in ’85 or are discovering its joyful call to celebration today, this remaster offers a fresh way to experience one of music history’s most iconic duets, reminding us that the simplest acts—singing and dancing together—can bridge divides and ignite hope