Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr has shared an incredible behind-the-scenes story from the 1985 Live Aid concert. The tale involves his late father, Jimmy Kerr, who found himself playing the unlikely role of caretaker to a heavily intoxicated Bob Dylan the night before the music legend’s historic performance in Philadelphia. The anecdote adds a personal and humorous layer to one of music’s most iconic events.
A Wild Night before Live Aid
The story began the day before the massive charity concert. Jim Kerr was swamped with pre-show duties and had brought his father, Jimmy, along for the experience. He described his dad as a “character” who people naturally enjoyed being around.
A close family friend, singer Kirsty MacColl, offered to keep Jimmy company while Jim was busy. “When Kirsty saw my dad, she immediately said, ‘Jimmy, come with me,’” Kerr explained. He thought it was a perfect solution, but his father soon disappeared for hours.
With no mobile phones in 1985, Kerr grew worried. When his father finally resurfaced in the hotel lobby looking worn out, the story he told was one for the ages.
An Unlikely Babysitter for a Rock Legend
Jimmy Kerr explained that Kirsty had taken him to a private suite filled with rock royalty, including Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones. The guest of honor, however, was in a bad state.
According to Jimmy, Bob Dylan had been drinking heavily and was struggling. Concerned that Dylan wouldn’t be able to perform the next day, the group decided someone needed to intervene.
“My dad and Kirsty had to help him to his room to ensure he could get some rest before the big day,” Jim Kerr recounted. The image of his working-class father helping a global music icon to bed highlights the wild and unpredictable nature of the rock-and-roll world.
The Aftermath on Stage
The effects of the night were clear when Bob Dylan took the stage with Keith Richards at JFK Stadium the following day. Their acoustic set has since become infamous for its shaky quality.
“They could barely stand up,” Kerr remarked. “It wasn’t their finest performance.”
Despite the duo’s less-than-perfect set, the event itself was a monumental success. The Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia achieved incredible milestones in the fight against famine in Ethiopia.
- The dual concerts raised over $125 million for famine relief.
- The event was broadcast live to an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion people.
- It brought together the biggest names in music on one stage for a humanitarian cause.
For Jim Kerr, performing to a crowd of nearly 90,000 people was unforgettable, but his father’s backstage adventure remains his most unique memory from the day.
From Live Aid’s Legacy to a New Era
As the 40th anniversary of Live Aid approaches in 2025, the stories surrounding it continue to fascinate music fans. The event solidified the power of music to create global change.
Simple Minds, known for their massive 1985 hit Don’t You (Forget About Me), are still a major force in music. The band is preparing for a huge headlining show at Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park next year, proving their own legacy is as strong as ever. This story serves as a humorous and humanizing footnote to a legendary moment in history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who helped Bob Dylan at Live Aid?
According to Simple Minds singer Jim Kerr, his father Jimmy Kerr and singer Kirsty MacColl helped a drunk Bob Dylan to his hotel room the night before his Live Aid performance in 1985.
Where did the Simple Minds perform at Live Aid?
Simple Minds performed at the American leg of the Live Aid concert, which was held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia on July 13, 1985.
Was Bob Dylan’s Live Aid performance good?
Bob Dylan’s performance with Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood is widely regarded as being weak and unrehearsed. Jim Kerr noted that they “could barely stand up” on stage.
How much money did Live Aid raise?
The 1985 Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia successfully raised over $125 million (which is more than $350 million in today’s money) for famine relief in Ethiopia.
