Geldof Plans 'Live 8' Benefit Concerts
Mon May 30, 7:20 AM ET
PHILADELPHIA - Two decades after the original Live Aid, when rock stars raised money for Ethiopian famine relief, singer-activist
Bob Geldof is planning another star-studded, humanitarian event.
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Live 8 is set for Saturday, July 2, on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, a city spokeswoman said. The event will coincide with a second show in London, publicist Laura Perez told The Philadelphia Inquirer in Sunday's editions.
Details, including the lineup and other possible venues, remain secret. They are expected to be unveiled Tuesday morning at joint press conferences in Philadelphia and London, according to Perez.
The name "Live 8" is a nod to the G-8 summit, a meeting of the world's leading powers, set to start days later in Scotland. Geldof has pressed for the world's wealthiest countries to do more to fight famine and poverty in Africa.
Live Aid, held July 13, 1985, brought
Mick Jagger,
Madonna,
Tina Turner and other stars to town while others performed at Wembley Stadium in London. The effort raised tens of millions of dollars for Ethiopia.
"What started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks," Geldof told the BBC last week. "There's more than a chance that the boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world on its axis."
The singer Sting has confirmed that he will take part in the event. "Bob called me up and said I was doing it," Sting said. "He doesn't ask you, he tells you."
