What did "Live Aid" raise money for?

Live Aid raised money for famine relief, especially for people affected by the 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia and the wider African hunger crisis.

The benefit concerts took place on July 13, 1985, at Wembley Stadium in London and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. Irish musician Bob Geldof and Scottish musician Midge Ure organized the event after the success of Band Aid's 1984 charity single “Do They Know It's Christmas?” Their goal was to turn public attention toward famine victims into direct financial support.

The concerts were broadcast to an estimated audience of roughly 1.9 billion people in about 150 countries. Performers included Queen, U2, David Bowie, Madonna, Elton John, and many other major artists. Live Aid eventually generated about $127 million for famine relief in African nations, although the distribution and political effects of aid later became subjects of serious debate.

Live Aid was not a fundraiser for HIV/AIDS, despite the similarity between “Aid” and “AIDS.” Its central cause was hunger and famine relief, particularly in Ethiopia.