Re: 34 years ago - Live Aid - Freddie Mercury
One notable absentee from Live Aid was that year's biggest star.
Bruce Springsteen was on his two-year world 'Born In The USA' tour and therefore couldn't perform at the event. I saw his concert at Wembley Stadium the week before Live Aid and otherwise I would have probably made it to Live Aid instead.
Bruce did in fact leave all the speakers, amps and most of the lighting rigs, i.e. just about all of his stage fittings to the event to use as way of consolation.