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QUIZ: Test your 80s music knowledge – how well do you know Live Aid 40 years on?
Rediscover one of the most unifying cultural moments in modern history: Live Aid at the National Photographic Archive, Temple Bar.
ARE WE OLD? Because 1985 couldn’t possibly be forty years ago. There is no denying that the 80s were golden days of music — Madonna, U2, Queen, we could go on and on. And then, of course, there was Live Aid: the global concert and phenomenon that united 1.6 billion TV viewers around the globe.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Live Aid. To celebrate, the National Photographic Archive at Meeting House Square, Dublin, recently launched a new Live Aid Exhibition. More than seventy photographs and images have been carefully curated from the Band Aid Trust Archive, which were generously donated to the National Library of Ireland.
Inspired by this fascinating free exhibition, we are testing our readers’ knowledge of this legendary lineup with 10 simple questions. And if iconic global music moments could be your specialist subject on Mastermind, then make sure to plan a visit to the National Library of Ireland website for details of many free themed events, – including an 80s Silent Disco, an Ethiopian Coffee & DJ afternoon, special curator’s tours and storytelling nights. Speaking of events… let’s get into it.
In what year did the original Live Aid concert take place?
1983
1985
1987
1989
Which two cities hosted the main Live Aid concerts?
London and New York
Los Angeles and London
London and Philadelphia
New York and Chicago
Which iconic British rock band performed “Radio Ga Ga” at Live Aid?
The Rolling Stones
Queen
Duran Duran
The Police
Bob Geldof, one of the organizers of Live Aid, was the lead singer of which band?
Boomtown Rats
U2
Wham!
Simple Minds
Which U.S. band performed “We Are the World” at Live Aid?
USA for Africa
Journey
Eagles
Toto
Which famous guitarist played alongside David Bowie during his Live Aid set?
Eric Clapton
Kevin Armstrong
Brian May
Mark Knopfler
How long was the Live Aid broadcast around the world?
8 hours
16 hours
12 hours
24 hours
The main purpose of Live Aid was to raise money for:
Cancer research
Famine relief in Ethiopia
Homeless shelters
Disaster relief in the U.S.
Which U2 songs did the band famously perform at the Live Aid London concert?
“Sunday Bloody Sunday”
“With or Without You”
“Bad”
“Pride (In the Name of Love)”
Which famous rock star played the drums on the original Band Aid recording alongside Bono?
Van Morrison
Phil Collins
Bob Geldof
Brian May
You scored out of !
You're an 80s Whizz Kid
Gloat about your wisdom at the Live Aid Exhibition at the National Photographic Archive, Temple Bar until the end of the year.
You scored out of !
A Musical Expert of Sorts
Show off your knowledge at the Live Aid Exhibition at the National Photographic Archive, Temple Bar until the end of the year.
You scored out of !
Not Quite 'Part of the Solution'
Best study up at the Live Aid Exhibition at the National Photographic Archive, Temple Bar until the end of the year.
You scored out of !
You're a Little Out of Tune
Make sure to find all the answers at the Live Aid Exhibition at the National Photographic Archive, Temple Bar until the end of the year.
With over seventy photographs from the Band Aid Trust Archive, visitors can relive the spirit, scale and behind-the-scenes stories of the Live Aid concerts. The free exhibition runs daily until 2027 and includes a short film capturing the day’s global impact.
Relive the energy, community and creativity of Live Aid 40 years on.. Visit the exhibition or register for one of the Live Aid anniversary events.
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