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Glasgow Times
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Ex-BBC correspondent in Africa says first reaction to Live Aid was ‘real anger'
The event, organised by musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, which was held at London's Wembley Stadium and John F Kennedy Stadium in the US, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The concerts raised millions of pounds, but some have criticised its portrayal of Africa, with Geldof rejecting the idea that he is a 'white saviour' due to his charity work. Michael Buerk arrives for the press night of Just For One Day, the Live Aid musical at The Old Vic Theatre in London (James Manning/PA) Veteran broadcaster Buerk, 79, who was a presenter on the BBC's Ten O'Clock News, now known as BBC News At Ten, brought the shocking plight of famine-hit Ethiopia to the world in 1984 with his heart-rending reports. Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: 'My first reaction (to Live Aid) was real anger that I thought superficial, grandstanding pop singers were riding on the back of these people who I felt very protective of. 'I didn't watch it and in fact on the afternoon of Live Aid I was in a black township just to the east of Johannesburg being tear gassed… also of course South Africa was one of the very, very few countries that didn't show it.' Speaking about the famine in Ethiopia, he added: 'I'd never seen anything like this, there was a lot of drought and a lot of hunger in South Africa in the 1980s (but) what we hadn't seen was famine, death at that kind of scale before… Freddie Mercury, of the rock-pop band Queen, performing on stage during the Live Aid concert (PA) 'I was very concerned when I got back to Nairobi about how to tell the story because I was there I was not just seeing it and hearing it but smelling it; and I wondered what the reaction would be for people who would be sitting and watching it in the comfort of their own homes, cup of tea, glass of beer or something and it's just on in two dimensions in the corner of the living room.' Asked how he feels about Live Aid now he said: 'I think it was extraordinary really, I think Geldof, the personality, the intelligence, the focus the foul-mouthedness; just an extraordinary person. It was a moment in time, wasn't it?' Greatest Hits Radio is recreating the 1985 Live Aid broadcast in its entirety in a 10-hour special, hosted by Simon Mayo, featuring all of the original live performances from the likes of David Bowie, The Who and Sir Paul McCartney. Listen to Live Aid Relived from midday Sunday on Greatest Hits Radio.
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Ex-BBC correspondent in Africa says first reaction to Live Aid was ‘real anger'
The event, organised by musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, which was held at London's Wembley Stadium and John F Kennedy Stadium in the US, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The concerts raised millions of pounds, but some have criticised its portrayal of Africa, with Geldof rejecting the idea that he is a 'white saviour' due to his charity work. Michael Buerk arrives for the press night of Just For One Day, the Live Aid musical at The Old Vic Theatre in London (James Manning/PA) Veteran broadcaster Buerk, 79, who was a presenter on the BBC's Ten O'Clock News, now known as BBC News At Ten, brought the shocking plight of famine-hit Ethiopia to the world in 1984 with his heart-rending reports. Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: 'My first reaction (to Live Aid) was real anger that I thought superficial, grandstanding pop singers were riding on the back of these people who I felt very protective of. 'I didn't watch it and in fact on the afternoon of Live Aid I was in a black township just to the east of Johannesburg being tear gassed… also of course South Africa was one of the very, very few countries that didn't show it.' Speaking about the famine in Ethiopia, he added: 'I'd never seen anything like this, there was a lot of drought and a lot of hunger in South Africa in the 1980s (but) what we hadn't seen was famine, death at that kind of scale before… Freddie Mercury, of the rock-pop band Queen, performing on stage during the Live Aid concert (PA) 'I was very concerned when I got back to Nairobi about how to tell the story because I was there I was not just seeing it and hearing it but smelling it; and I wondered what the reaction would be for people who would be sitting and watching it in the comfort of their own homes, cup of tea, glass of beer or something and it's just on in two dimensions in the corner of the living room.' Asked how he feels about Live Aid now he said: 'I think it was extraordinary really, I think Geldof, the personality, the intelligence, the focus the foul-mouthedness; just an extraordinary person. It was a moment in time, wasn't it?' Greatest Hits Radio is recreating the 1985 Live Aid broadcast in its entirety in a 10-hour special, hosted by Simon Mayo, featuring all of the original live performances from the likes of David Bowie, The Who and Sir Paul McCartney. Listen to Live Aid Relived from midday Sunday on Greatest Hits Radio.
Western Telegraph
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Ex-BBC correspondent in Africa says first reaction to Live Aid was ‘real anger'
The event, organised by musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, which was held at London's Wembley Stadium and John F Kennedy Stadium in the US, is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The concerts raised millions of pounds, but some have criticised its portrayal of Africa, with Geldof rejecting the idea that he is a 'white saviour' due to his charity work. Michael Buerk arrives for the press night of Just For One Day, the Live Aid musical at The Old Vic Theatre in London (James Manning/PA) Veteran broadcaster Buerk, 79, who was a presenter on the BBC's Ten O'Clock News, now known as BBC News At Ten, brought the shocking plight of famine-hit Ethiopia to the world in 1984 with his heart-rending reports. Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio, he said: 'My first reaction (to Live Aid) was real anger that I thought superficial, grandstanding pop singers were riding on the back of these people who I felt very protective of. 'I didn't watch it and in fact on the afternoon of Live Aid I was in a black township just to the east of Johannesburg being tear gassed… also of course South Africa was one of the very, very few countries that didn't show it.' Speaking about the famine in Ethiopia, he added: 'I'd never seen anything like this, there was a lot of drought and a lot of hunger in South Africa in the 1980s (but) what we hadn't seen was famine, death at that kind of scale before… Freddie Mercury, of the rock-pop band Queen, performing on stage during the Live Aid concert (PA) 'I was very concerned when I got back to Nairobi about how to tell the story because I was there I was not just seeing it and hearing it but smelling it; and I wondered what the reaction would be for people who would be sitting and watching it in the comfort of their own homes, cup of tea, glass of beer or something and it's just on in two dimensions in the corner of the living room.' Asked how he feels about Live Aid now he said: 'I think it was extraordinary really, I think Geldof, the personality, the intelligence, the focus the foul-mouthedness; just an extraordinary person. It was a moment in time, wasn't it?' Greatest Hits Radio is recreating the 1985 Live Aid broadcast in its entirety in a 10-hour special, hosted by Simon Mayo, featuring all of the original live performances from the likes of David Bowie, The Who and Sir Paul McCartney. Listen to Live Aid Relived from midday Sunday on Greatest Hits Radio.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oedipus is London's compelling and edgy new drama that brings a Greek tragedy to life
Oedipus starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma has finally arrived at the Old Vic and the tension was palpable from start to finish. Ella Hickson's adaptation of the Greek tragedy Oedipus, starring Rami Malek as Oedipus and Indira Varma as Jocasta, is currently playing at The Old Vic Theatre until March 29. Ella Hickson's adaptation of the Greek tragedy Oedipus is currently playing at The Old Vic Theatre until March 29. (Image: Manuel Harlan) The scene is set with a cacophony of dramatic drum beats as an ensemble of dancers make their way briskly across the stage, acting as a silently moving Greek chorus, with choreography from Hofesh Shechter. The show was quite unlike anything I've experienced before at The Old Vic, or indeed on any stage, with a combination of theatrics and dance that skilfully punctuated each scene. The scene is set with a cacophony of dramatic drum beats as an ensemble of dancers make their way briskly across the stage. (Image: Manuel Harlan) The set had no bells or whistles, with a simple blank canvas of dark grey walls, which really added to the foreshadowing of our protagonist's downfall. Rami gave a truly striking performance of Oedipus, whilst Indira's performance skilfully peeled back the layers of desperation as her tragic backstory is revealed. Rami gave a truly striking performance of Oedipus, whilst Indira's performance skilfully peeled back the layers of desperation as her tragic backstory is revealed. (Image: Manuel Harlan) Cecilia Noble's performance as Tiresias is a lively, witty and humorous contrast against the sombre themes of the play, and her performance takes a drastic switch when the truth of Oedipus is revealed. The performance was a compelling and timeless portrayal of one of a family torn apart by cruel fate and was riveting to watch. Oedipus will be playing at The Old Vic until March 29 with tickets starting from £15.
