Henry Munro, Debbie Baxter and Ann Sargeant still work at Wembley Stadium today, but were just starting out on their careers when Live Aid took place.
We caught up with them to find out what it was like helping put on one of the nation’s most memorable moments.
What was your role at the stadium on the day?
AS: I was a telephonist handling up to 70,000 calls from a lot of hysterical fans asking various questions and requests.
HM: I was a stadium fitter so responsible for reacting to any issues that cropped up inside the bowl area.
DB: I worked on the hospitality reception desk, welcoming guests, checking tickets and wristbanding them.
What do you remember about the run up to the event? Was there much notice about what would be involved?
AS: I recall lots of meetings with BT as we had to arrange telecoms for dressing rooms and the artists.
HM: We had a run of Bruce Springsteen shows the week before, so I was just checking, repairing and preparing for the next event. I knew it was a big charitable event especially for Band Aid, but had no idea how big it was to become.
DB: The temporary Live Aid Production Office was in the area next to my office. I remember the ‘buzz’ of the office next door. There were not many staff on site at the beginning, but as the event drew nearer, it was really busy. I would often hear shouting and swearing coming from the production office. Harvey Goldsmith and Bob Geldof used to pop in and their visits got more regular as the event got closer. I always used to say ‘Morning Bob’ when I passed Bob Geldof, not so much to Harvey Goldsmith as I found him very intimidating back then.
What do you remember about the day itself?
AS: I went to school with George Michael, Andrew Ridgley and Shirley Holiman (Kemp) so I walked over from the conference centre to watch Wham when they took to the stage. The stadium was literally rocking!
HM: There were a lot of last-minute bowl checks and sorting out water points behind the main barrier as it was a very hot day. We used to just hose people down in those days. There were lots of sound checks prior to doors, and I do remember the Coldstream Guards on stage which I thought was bizarre at first, but then Status Quo started, and it was just one pop star after another from there. It was a long day!
DB: The beginning of the day felt like any other event day. I was very young and although I knew the line-up, I wasn’t overly excited. As the day got underway, you knew and felt that this was going to be something really big. The TV was showing it live and the focus was to get the message out and get the nation donating.
From an operations point of view, were there any last-minute hiccups or glitches on the day that people might not have been aware of?
AS: The phones only worked intermittently as many temporary cables were trip hazards and regularly pulled out.
HM: I’m sure Paul McCartney’s mic failed when he started to sing Let It Be. I remember looking at the stage, then the front of house mixer, thinking not now after all this, but it all worked out fine in the end.
There were lots of high-profile, VIP guests – Did any special provisions have to be put in place?
AS: Not especially. The feeling at the time was that they all put ego aside and got on with it.
HM: We had to plan carefully how some guests got from the Royal Box to the stage. It was tricky keeping them out of the way of the public and the TV cameras.
DB: There were lots of cars and limos arriving with artists and celebrities. Most of the high-profile celebrity guests were in the Banqueting Hall, which was the main hospitality area. As Wembley Stadium Limited owned the whole complex, there was also VIP Hospitality in the Conference Centre and the Arena.
Did you get to see much of the event? Who was the standout performer for you?
AS: George Michael
HM: I do remember Queen and Freddie Mercury really got the crowd going. They returned for The Magic Tour the following year.
DB: Once all the guests on my guest list were in, we were free to do what we wanted. I remember watching a bit of the concert, but it wasn’t really my music of choice back then, apart from George Michael. I didn’t stay for the whole concert.
How do you look back knowing you worked on such a memorable event? Is there a great sense of pride having being involved?
AS: Looking back now, I am very glad I was there to witness it all.
HM: I always remember that we donated our wages for that Saturday. I have still got my programme, but I lost my Live Aid ‘I Was There’ T-shirt. I always look back and think how privileged I was to be involved in an event such as that. A few years later I worked on The Mandela 70th and Freddie Mercury Tribute concerts. Although they were great events, they didn’t have the same effect on me.
DB: I have so much pride knowing I was part of such an iconic event. I don’t think it really resonated with me until years later. It wasn’t until the film premiere of Bohemian Rhapsody took place in 2018 that I noticed younger staff members saying ‘I wished I worked on Live Aid.’ When I said that I had, they were amazed and were so excited to know what it was like. I realise now how lucky I was to have been part of such a historic event.