A radical reimagining of an Elton John classic has been released as the first single from Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical (Original Cast Recording). Listen here
The show is now open at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End, capturing the story of the music community’s response to the devastating famine in Ethiopia in 1985 and raising hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Band Aid Trust’s efforts to help those facing hunger around the world.
The songs in the show and on the album come from the world’s greatest pop icons, from Queen to Madonna, U2 to Bob Dylan. But it was to an Elton John hit that Bob Geldof turned to tell the story of his confrontation with the British prime minister as he fought to ensure donations would be tax free.
Bob Geldof said: “There was an argument between Margaret Thatcher and myself and it’s central to the show so the scene needed a real dynamism. I thought it should be Gilbert and Sullivan meets Hamilton.
“It stands out in the show as a moment of real politics. It needed to have a different treatment and it does, ending with the big showstopper and the dance off.” He said the characterisation of Margaret Thatcher, played by Julie Atherton, is “spectacular”.
Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical (Original Cast Recording) – out on July 11 – is a fully realised rock record, available to preorder now, with songs by artists including including Queen, David Bowie, Ultravox, Boomtown Rats, U2, Elton John, The Police, The Who, Madonna, Phil Collins, Bob Dylan and more.
On 13 July 2025, Just for One Day will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of Live Aid with a very special performance at the Shaftesbury Theatre followed by an exclusive after party with surprise special guest performances at Koko, Camden. There are a limited number of tickets available to purchase with a generous additional contribution to the Band Aid Charitable Trust. For more information on this, and all other performances, click HERE.
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