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WARNER VISION ANNOUNCES FULL DETAILS OF LIVE AID DVD SET |
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| Warner Vision International October 11th, 2004 Released by: Warner Strategic Marketing |
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Warner Vision International is proud to announce that the biggest concert in Rock n' Roll history, Live Aid , will be released on DVD worldwide on 8 November 2004 . The cultural landmarks of Monterey, Woodstock or Altamont, the stuttering start of George Harrison's Bangladesh concert, coalesced into a true cultural, musical and political union of meaning: the promise of all those songs we had heard and singers we had listened to was realised on that day in 1985. The music itself was extraordinary, with passion evident, goodwill clear and the joy abundant and overwhelming. Those musicians that took part can still be heard to speak of the event with awe. The unforgettable global event, staged mainly in London and Philadelphia on Saturday 13 July 1985, was watched on television by over 1.5 billion people around the world. These concerts led to pledged donations and royalties of over $140 million to relieve the devastating famine in Africa. Billed as ‘The Global Jukebox', Live Aid was described by the world's media as ‘The greatest show on earth' and ‘The day rock music changed the world'. Live Aid was cited as the second most memorable event in two generations and was recently defined, in a consumer poll, as the single, greatest moment in the 50-year history of rock ‘n' roll, beating not only the launch of MTV and Elvis' first record, but also topping the poll ahead of seminal 60s festival, Woodstock. Live Aid day saw the greatest artists playing the greatest music for the world's poorest people and changing the global political agenda forever. Live Aid was staged simultaneously on three continents and featured an unbelievable line up of major Rock & Pop acts, performing for a live broadcast beamed to the world from London's Wembley and Philadelphia's JFK Stadiums. Even today, after almost 20 years, the line up of stars, put together by Bob Geldof in a matter of months, remains both remarkable and unsurpassed. It is a Who's Who of contemporary music; united in their unequivocal support for Live Aid. The extraordinary line-up includes: U2, Sting, David Bowie, Elton John, George Michael, The Who, Madonna, Queen, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Eric Clapton, Duran Duran, Neil Young, Ozzy Osbourne & Black Sabbath, Spandau Ballet, Dire Straits, Paul Weller, Sade, Paul Young, Adam Ant, The Boomtown Rats, The Cars, Bryan Ferry, Bryan Adams, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Ultravox, Run DMC, BB King, INXS, Bob Dylan, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, Joan Baez, Eddie Kendricks and David Ruffin, Crosby Stills & Nash, The Beach Boys, Judas Priest, Nik Kershaw, The Style Council, Simple Minds, Thompson Twins, Nile Rodgers, Hall & Oates, Status Quo, The Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Howard Jones, Teddy Pendergrass, Alison Moyet, and Kenny Loggins. Since that great day this historic concert footage has remained locked away, and the announcement of its imminent DVD release is, therefore, indeed momentous. Unscrupulous bootleggers have tried to sell the concert on the black market but have been shut down and prosecuted on a number of occasions. This has forced the Band Aid Trust to seek permission from all the artists to be included in the four-disc Live Aid set, an eventuality that was never anticipated at the time of Live Aid . Now, in time for the 20 th anniversary of Live Aid and after 19 years in the vaults, Warner Vision International will release those unforgettable performances on a Live Aid , 4 DVD package out on 8 th November. Currently in production with the master videotapes and over 10 hours of performances, the DVD will be superbly presented and re-mastered in multi-channel surround sound and stereo audio options. Within the set, additional gems include the ‘Food and Trucks and Rock ‘n' Roll' documentary, (sub-titled in 8 languages), and inspirational Live Aid performances from other parts of the globe. Live Aid on DVD is the most eagerly anticipated music DVD of the decade . In a hotly-contested, open bidding invitation, Warners secured a licence to represent and distribute, worldwide, the Live Aid 4-disc set. Live Aid remains the asset of the Band Aid Trust. Warner Vision International's Ray Still commented. "There is only one music event that begs the question "Where were you on that day?" and that is Live Aid . Over 1.5 billion TV viewers tuned in, on July 13 1985, to Live Aid day. It's an understatement to say that it's a great pleasure and an honour for Warner Vision to be involved in bringing all the extraordinary moments and performances that encapsulated Live Aid to DVD for the first time”. Bob Geldof added: “Twenty years ago they not only played “real good for free” they took an issue that was nowhere on the agenda of the political world and placed it at the very top. They also kept, directly or indirectly, millions of people alive and in so doing they reminded 1.5 billion people that individuals are not powerless in the face of monstrous human tragedy. By buying the Live Aid DVD, that day continues far off into some distant but, hopefully, better future for all those people in whose name those great artists played”. Since the concert, the Band Aid Trust in the UK alone has raised over $50 million and continues to operate in famine affected countries in Africa. For further information contact:
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