David Weinstein, an 18-year-old from Florida, opened the Live Aid benefit concert in Philadelphia with his acoustic guitar after pleading his case to concert promoter Bill Graham. He played a song he had written called “Interview” and made history. Live Aid was organized as a benefit concert to help people in Ethiopia affected by famine. Two concerts took place simultaneously in Philadelphia and London. Queen’s set at the London concert is often cited as one of the greatest live performances in the history of rock music.
The Live Aid benefit concert was one of the largest concert events in history, but you probably haven’t heard of the Philadelphia show’s opening act. It was David Weinstein – stage name Bernard Watson – an 18-year-old from Florida who went to Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium with his acoustic guitar and little else in the hope of making some music. Arriving 18 days early, Weinstein sought out concert promoter Bill Graham and pleaded his case. Graham has been listening to Weinstein play for a while and must have spotted raw talent, because just before 10am on July 9, 13, Graham introduced him to the 1985 audience in attendance with the words: “We thought we’d give him a shot, and let’s help each other to make his dream come true”. Weinstein, nervous and inexperienced, played a song he had written called “Interview.” He broke a guitar string and dropped the pick. But he still made history.
Capturing the Magic of Music:
Live Aid was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure as a benefit concert to help people in Ethiopia affected by famine. Two concerts took place simultaneously, in Philadelphia and in London.
After Weinstein’s brief performance, Joan Baez took the stage as the official opening act for the Philadelphia concert.
Queen’s set at the Live Aid concert at London’s Wembley Stadium is often cited as one of the greatest live performances in the history of rock music.
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