On June 29th, 1985 David Bowie and Mick Jagger recorded their version of the Martha Reeves and the Vandellas 1964 hit Dancing In The Street for the forthcoming Live Aid fundraising event.
Had it not been for the technical shortcomings of the time the song might never have been recorded at all. Bob Geldof’s wish was to have Bowie, in London, and Jagger, in Philadelphia, sing live on stage at the Live Aid event. The idea being that it would be a one-off performance, never to be repeated. Unfortunately it was pointed out that there would be a time delay on the satellite line, meaning that only one side could be live and the other would have to mime. Neither David nor Mick was prepared to do that, so it was decided to pre-record the song and film a video, to be shown on the day of Live Aid.
Even then the intention was not to release the record, but such was the popularity it generated that it was released in September ’85 and rocketed to No. 1 in nine countries, including the UK, thereby adding to the funds raised.
You can hear Mick Jagger on our Rolling Stones station and Dancing In The Street and all of David Bowie’s hits, and much more, on his dedicated station.
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