
Phil Collins once pulled an intercontinental Live Aid stunt, but it wasn't without drama
The singer and drummer participated in the benefit concerts organized by musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to draw attention to a famine in Ethopia and raise money for relief efforts.
Collins didn't perform on just one stage, but two – on two different continents.
The Genesis frontman initially took to the stage in London at Wembley Stadium, where he performed 'Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)' and 'In the Air Tonight.' He also played played drums for Branford Marsalis and Sting.
That would have been enough for most artists, but not Collins.
Instead, he hopped on a helicopter to Heathrow Airport in London, boarded The Concorde to New York City, then took another helicopter to Philadelphia, where he joined superstar Eric Clapton for his set and performed three songs with Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones.
(The Concorde was a supersonic airliner that allowed passengers to cross the Atlantic in under three and a half hours. It made its first test flight in 1969 and was officially retired in 2003.)
Backstage after the London performance, Collins gave an interview in which he said he thought the first performance had 'gone very well, considering' and expressed his pride in participating.
'I'm very proud to be asked to do it because everybody's involved and it's just great to be a part of something like this,' he said. 'It's just too obvious to say it's for a good cause.'
There was, however, some drama in regards to the second show, and how the multiple performances came about.
Collins explained that both Plant and Sting had separately asked him to participate in Live Aid, with a UK-based promoter suggesting he take The Concorde in order to play both shows.
But Collins explained to Classic Rock in 2021 that second show with Led Zeppelin was less than smooth, in part because he neglected to rehearse with the band beforehand, and also due to the bandmates' strained relationships.
'By the time I got there, me and Robert and Jimmy playing together had become The Second Coming Of Led Zeppelin – (bassist and keyboardist) John Paul Jones was there too. Jimmy says: 'We need to rehearse.' And I said: 'Can't we just go on stage and have a play?'' Collins recalled. 'So I didn't rehearse when I got there, but I listened to 'Stairway To Heaven' on Concorde.'
He said the end result was messy, partially due to the fact that co-drummer Tony Thompson 'had rehearsed for a week, and I'm about to steal his thunder – the famous drummer's arrived! – and he kind of did what he wanted to do. Robert wasn't match-fit. And if I could have walked off, I would have done, cause I wasn't needed and I felt like a spare part.'
'Anyway, we came off, and we got interviewed by MTV. And Robert is a diamond, but when those guys get together a black cloud appears,' Collins continued. 'Then Page says: 'One drummer was halfway across the Atlantic and didn't know the stuff.' And I got pissed off. Maybe I didn't know it as well as he'd like me to have done, but… I became the flagship, and it looked like I was showing off.'
It ended up becoming a Led Zepplin reunion that Collins wrote about not wanting to be a part of in his 2016 autobiography, 'Not Dead Yet.'
'I didn't come here to play with Led Zeppelin, I came here to play with a friend of mine who has morphed back into being the singer of Led Zeppelin – a very different animal to the one that invited me,' Collins wrote. 'Now I'm caught up in the ceaselessly toxic, dysfunctional web of Led Zeppelin interpersonal relationships.'
While his second performance perhaps did not go quite as Collins had hoped, Live Aid raised more than $100 for famine relief. His transatlantic flight also included a very famous fellow passenger.
'When I got on Concorde, Cher was on it,' Collins recalled in the CNN original series 'Live Aid: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On the World.'
Cher asked Collins what he was up to.
'There's a live gig in London today and in Philadelphia,' Collins said he told Cher. 'She said, 'Oh, could you get me on it?''
Hours later, Cher joined a star-studded group of artists on stage to close out Live Aid with a performance of 'We Are the World.'
Mission accomplished.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
RAYE to Receive Ivors Academy Honour Following Songwriter Royalties Campaign
RAYE has carved out yet another milestone in her ascendant career by becoming a recipient of an Ivors Academy Honour. The Ivors Academy has announced that the multi BRIT award-winning musician will receive the accolade at the maiden Ivors Academy Honours event in London this fall (Oct. 2). The ceremony is set to celebrate the artists and industry figures driving positive change for songwriters and composers, and will take place at the InterContinental London Park Lane. More from Billboard Major Labels Back Sweeping U.K. Reforms on Artist Contracts and Per Diems: 'It's About Time' Sabrina Carpenter Reveals 'Man's Best Friend' Tracklist via Golden Retriever Timmy Trumpet Cancels European Shows Following Injury The news follows the announcement that the U.K. government has confirmed the introduction of a £75 per diem for songwriters and session musicians. The agreement has been backed by the U.K. arms of major labels Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group. At The Ivors in 2023, RAYE called on labels to allocate songwriters a share of master recording revenues. In her acceptance speech for the best contemporary song award – which she won for smash hit 'Escapism' – she highlighted the need for a greater level of respect to be shown towards 'voiceless beating heart of the industry, which is songwriters.' In a statement, Roberto Neri, chief executive of The Ivors Academy said, 'An incredible multi award-winning artist, RAYE is the one of the most gifted songwriters of her generation and always gives full respect and voice to fellow writers. She has consistently called for better pay and greater recognition for songwriters, championing structural change to protect the talent behind the music we love. We're proud to honour her with this well-deserved recognition.' Over the past few years, south Londoner RAYE (born Rachel Keen) has been at the forefront of this conversation, repeatedly pushing for a more inclusive and equitable music industry while also speaking out about the imbalance of power between artists and labels and the financial challenges faced by new artists. She split with her former label Polydor in July 2021, to which she signed in 2014, after taking to social media to explain that they would not let her release any new music unless her singles reached a certain level of commercial success. She has since worked as an independent act via distribution company Human Re Sources, a subsidiary of The Orchard. Her Mercury Prize-nominated debut LP My 21st Century Blues landed in February 2023, hitting No. 2 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart. The vocalist is currently gearing up for her biggest headline show to date at London's All Points East festival on Aug. 23. Support acts include Doechii, Cat Burns, and JADE, while Tyla is billed as a special guest. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Prince Harry And Meghan's 'Peace Talks' Have A Lot To Do With Their Expiring Netflix Deal, Expert Claims
Speculation of a reconciliation between Prince Harry and King Charles is growing amid reports that the duke and his wife, Meghan Markle, will not be renewing their $100 million deal with Netflix. Royal experts suggest financial pressures may be prompting the Montecito-based couple to reconnect with the monarchy. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan's underperforming Netflix projects and past loss of their Spotify deal raise questions about sustaining their lifestyle without royal support or new lucrative deals. Royal Expert Links Prince Harry's Reunion Talks To Expiring Netflix Deal A Royal expert has weighed in on the growing speculation surrounding potential reconciliation talks between Prince Harry and King Charles, offering a theory that ties the rumored peace efforts to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's fading Netflix deal. Recent sightings of senior aides from both camps meeting in London have fueled rumors that discussions are underway to mend the strained relationship. Speaking on The Sun's "Royal Exclusive" show, author and royal commentator Robert Jobson suggested that the timing may not be coincidental. According to Jobson, with Harry and Meghan's multi-million-dollar Netflix contract reportedly approaching its end, the couple may be seeking renewed financial support from the monarchy. "Well, the deal was always set at about $100 million, wasn't it?" he explained, noting that much of the money was tied to specific production obligations. "And the talk of that figure sort of blew a lot of people's minds, but I think that was for productions and things that they're supposed to have done." He added, "Where does it leave them? Probably with a bit of a bowl out, looking for some handouts. Maybe that's why they were over with their staff, they were over here having discussions with the King. I don't know." Royal Experts Question How Prince Harry And Meghan Markle Will Fund Lavish Lifestyle After Losing Major Deals Jobson continued his commentary by highlighting the financial challenges the Sussexes may now be facing. "The reality is in the past they got support from the King and the late Queen, and they said they were going to go and make their way," Jobson noted. "They've lost Spotify, they've lost Netflix. They can't rely on the spare money forever, can they?" Also weighing in during the segment was Sky News' Royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills, who raised similar concerns about the couple's future income. With their Netflix contract set to expire in September, Mills questioned how they plan to maintain their costly lifestyle. "It's just fascinating," she remarked. "They have this very expensive lifestyle. They have to pay for their security and pay for that big mansion. How do you kind of keep the money coming in?" Meghan Markle's Independence May Pave Way For Harry's Reconciliation With King Charles, Says Royal Expert Meanwhile, one royal expert believes that any reunion between Harry and Charles is unlikely to fully reintegrate him into the royal fold. According to royal historian Dr. Tessa Dunlop, it could be Meghan's focus on building her own independent career that's prompting Harry to revisit family ties. In an interview with The Mirror, Dunlop suggested that Meghan appears content far from palace life, and that could be opening the door for Harry to reconnect. "Love her or loathe her, Meghan has found her happy place and it has nothing to do with the Royal Family," Dunlop said. "As Ever, raspberry jam, beige ensembles, and over-emotive podcasts might not be your thing, but they are working for California's Princess." She added that Meghan's self-sufficiency could actually help ease tensions between Harry and his father: "And before any bilious naysayers butt in, this is good news for a future rapprochement between Harry and the King. The two men have a chance to work things through. And surely everybody wants that?" Prince Harry And Meghan Markle's Netflix Deal To End Amid Poor Viewership Recently, reports surfaced indicating that Netflix has opted not to renew its multi-year partnership with Harry and Meghan, which is set to expire in the coming months. The original deal, signed in September 2020, was estimated to be worth around $100 million and aimed to produce a range of content for the streaming giant. Throughout their collaboration, the Sussexes released three key projects: their docuseries "Harry & Meghan," Meghan's lifestyle show "With Love, Meghan," and a documentary centered on Harry's passion for polo, simply titled "Polo." However, despite the high-profile nature of the partnership, the couple's projects reportedly underperformed. "With Love, Meghan" placed 383rd in Netflix's viewership rankings, while "Polo" fell even further, landing in 3,436th place with only around 500,000 views. Netflix Execs Feel 'They've Got All They Can' From The Sussexes, Source Claims Harry and Meghan's decision to pursue deals with streaming platforms was addressed by the prince during the couple's 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey. At the time, he revealed that financial independence became urgent after the Royal Family cut them off, leaving them to cover their own security expenses. That was "never part of the plan," Harry said of their commercial ventures. "That was suggested by somebody else by the point where my family literally cut me off financially, and I had to afford security for us." Now sources claim Netflix is done with the couple as "they've got all they can" from the Montecito-based royals. "They're not unhappy with how things turned out — they got those initial hits, and produced one of the most talked-about shows of all time," a source told The Sun. "The content got weaker from there on, but, frankly, for £20million a year, anything was better than nothing." Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Legendary '70s Rockers Announce New Album
Legendary '70s Rockers Announce New Album originally appeared on Parade. Original Roxy Music band members Phil Manzanera (guitar), Andy Mackay (saxophone) and Paul Thompson (drummer) have announced a new album due out September 19. "AM PM SOHO LIVE is due out on September 19th via Expression Records & BFD/The Orchard and features material from Phil Manzanera and Andy Mackay's recent album, AM PM, as well as notable tracks from Phil Manzanera's solo catalogue and several Roxy Music classics," reads the press release. It continues, "Much of the material on AM PM SOHO LIVE is sourced from the 2023 Phil Manzanera/Andy Mackay collaborative effort, the instrumental AM PM. Recorded during the lockdowns, the album was so well-received that it inspired Manzanera and Mackay to play the tracks live. Recorded at those three sold-out gigs at an intimate screening theatre in London's Soho in March 2024, AM PM SOHO LIVE is mixed in Dolby Atmos and also features British/Portuguese singer/songwriter Sonia Bernardo and another ex-Roxy Music alum, Anna Phoebe, on violin."'Listening back to the tracks from this album, especially in Dolby Atmos, and trying to make sense of what is AM PM SOHO LIVE has made me realize that the original ad that I answered to join Roxy, which said 'Guitarist wanted for Avant Rock group' was a thought and a mission statement staring me in the face and has informed quite naturally and organically the whole of the AM PM project," said Manzanera in a statement. Roxy Music was formed in 1971 with Thompson, Mackay, Manzanera plus Bryan Ferry and Brian Eno. They quickly became known as "elegant, art school rockers." They took a hiatus in the 1980s and 1990s, then returned in 2001 with a new tour. In 2019, Roxy Music was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and then in 2022, the band celebrated its 50th anniversary with a worldwide tour that culminated in a sold-out show in London. A live performance video of the first track off the album, "Out of the Blue," is available now. Pre-orders for the album can be made here. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 Legendary '70s Rockers Announce New Album first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword