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80s Pop Legend Shocks Fans with Unrecognisable Look at Iconic Wembley Return – Guess Who!

BBG News

In a striking transformation, an iconic figure from the ’80s pop era appeared almost untraceable as he made his way to Wembley Stadium on Thursday, for the cast recording of Live Aid: The Musical – a revisit that took place 40 years following the legendary concert.

The music artist played a significant role in coordinating the initial charity event, taking place on July 13, 1985, at two venues. This event aimed to gather funds for the Ethiopian famine that is estimated to have taken between 300,000 and 1.2 million lives.

4 decades later, approximately 72,000 spectators gathered at the venue to witness a series of concerts by the decade’s most prominent artists. Subsequently, this vocalist was captured in photographs on that revered ground.

Born on the periphery of Greater Glasgow, this musician moved through various music collectives during the 70s and the early 80s. However, it wasn’t until 1979 that they tasted significant success when they became the second lead vocalist of a reformed band.

In 1981, their song “Vienna” achieved a significant success, eventually ranking as the fifth best-selling single of the year in the United Kingdom.

He skillfully managed multiple leading positions in three major bands, then collaborated on the composition and production of “Do They Know It’s Christmas” for Band Aid in 1984, followed by achieving a top-ranking solo single “If I Was” in 1985.

Can you guess who the new wave icon is? 

It is none other than Ultravox, Thin Lizzy and Visage star Midge Ure.

Just like that memorable summer day back in 1985, the sun shone brightly over Wembley as he and co-organizer Bob Geldof reminisced about the Live Aid charity event, filling them with nostalgia.

2024 saw the debut of the jukebox musical “Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical” at London’s Old Vic. This production recounted the happenings leading to the two iconic concerts, interwoven with a set of fictionalized dramatic narratives for added depth.

After a successful two-month stint at Toronto’s Mirvish Theatre, it is set to debut at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre starting May 15, running for an additional eight weeks. This coincides with the 40th anniversary of Live Aid.

9 billion individuals worldwide watched as these two charity concerts collectively amassed a staggering £150 million for aid in combating famine.

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These two concerts, viewed by approximately 1.9 billion people globally, managed to raise an astounding £150 million towards the fight against famine.

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An estimated 1.9 billion individuals from around the world tuned in to witness these two concerts, which together raised a remarkable £150 million for drought relief efforts.

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Around 1.9 billion people worldwide gathered to watch these two concerts, with the total donations reaching an incredible £150 million for famine assistance.

Approximately seven months following the debut of Band Aid’s charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, Geldof and Ure orchestrated massive concerts featuring several 1980s superstar artists at Wembley Stadium in London and Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium.

David Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, Status Quo, Sir Elton John, and Queen were among the many artists who took the stage in London. Meanwhile, Black Sabbath, Joan Baez, Run D.M.C., and The Beach Boys joined a multitude of stars in Philadelphia.

In preparation for its 40th anniversary, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer will air Live Aid, providing an exclusive look at the concert’s backstage happenings from 1985, a groundbreaking event that introduced charitable ideals to a younger audience.

I reached the zenith of my illustrious career at that recent event, a milestone that traces its roots back to my debut with the band Slik and our 1976 chart-topping single, Forever And Ever.

After that, he spent a short while in the new wave band Rich Kids. Later on, in 1978, he teamed up with Rusty Egan and lead singer Steve Strange to establish Visage.

The group had a series of popular songs like “Fade To Grey” and hit albums such as “Visage” and “The Anvil,” but internal conflicts eventually led them to part ways.

Afterward, he became a member of Thin Lizzy in the year 1979. Later in the same year, he took on the roles of singer, songwriter, and guitarist within Ultravox, when they regrouped.

As Vienna topped the charts in 1981, Midge was also juggling his roles in Visage and Thin Lizzy.

After achieving four Top 10 albums and a Top 3 hit with “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes,” they followed up by releasing a greatest hits album that went on to be certified three times platinum.

After concentrating on his solo endeavors, Midge achieved a top-ranking single titled “If I Was” in 1985 and a second-highest album called “The Gift” during the same year.

After overseeing Live 8 in 2005, Midge was awarded an OBE. 

In the year 1985, he tied the knot with television host Annabel Giles. They welcomed their only child, Molly Lorenne, prior to their divorce in 1989.

2003 saw him marry his second spouse, actress Sheridan Forbes. Together, they reside in Bath and share custody of their three daughters.

In the previous year, Midge honored his friend and fellow Ultravox bandmate Chris Cross by saying, “We collaborated, performed together, created music, and even directed videos together.

We quickly became close friends, not just bandmates of Ultravox. After being separated for many years, it felt like no time had passed when we resumed our friendship as if those years were mere illusions. You served as the bond that kept the group united.

‘In the midst of chaos, you brought reason, and yet added a touch of craziness to our lives – it’s been a wonderful journey knowing and growing with you. You are deeply cherished and greatly missed, my dear friend.’

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2025-05-02 10:43

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