BY: Alexis Eichelberger

This weekend, the most star-studded concert in 35 years took place –– with everyone performing from home. The One World: Together at Home benefit, curated by Lady Gaga on behalf of the World Health Organization and Global Citizen, raised nearly $128 million to support healthcare providers fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

The two-hour event featured appearances by a host of superstars, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, The Rolling Stones, Kacey Musgraves and so many more. But this phenomenal crew was far from the first to unify through music on behalf of a good cause.

Here are six of the best benefit concerts that preceded the Together at Home event:

Live Aid (1985)

One of the first and foremost global benefit concerts happened in two locations –– London and Philadelphia –– simultaneously on July 13, 1985. Live Aid raised donations and awareness for the famine in Ethiopia. Approximately 162,000 people attended on two continents and nearly 40 percent of the world watched the live televised event. It raised about $150 million. Performers included Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Madonna and Led Zeppelin.

The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert (1992)

The concert held on behalf of Queen’s lead singer was attended by 72,000 in London and watched on television by up to 1 billion fans. The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert honored Mercury’s memory and raised money and awareness for the AIDS epidemic. Queen performed, as did Metallica, U2, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses and other rock icons.

America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001)

After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, George Clooney assembled an A-list team to perform and host a telethon to raise money for victims and their families. America: A Tribute to Heroes included performances by Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Alicia Keys, the Dixie Chicks, Dave Matthews, Bon Jovi, Celine Dion and Pearl Jam. The telethon raised more than $200 million and an estimated 65 million viewers around the world watched the special.

Live Earth (2007)

The Live Earth event’s purpose was to raise awareness and fight climate change. It featured more than 150 acts in eleven locations around the world. It was broadcast to more than 130 countries and watched by an estimated 8 million people. Performers included Garth Brooks, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Foo Fighters, Madonna, John Mayer, Kanye West, Kelly Clarkson and the Police. 

Concert for Sandy Relief (2012)

Held in Madison Square Garden, the Concert for Sandy Relief raised money for those affected by superstorm Sandy, which devastated parts of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The event raised more than $30 million from ticket sales alone. Paul McCartney, Chris Martin, the remaining members of Nirvana, Alicia Keys and the Rolling Stones performed at the event.

One Love Manchester (2017)

After the bombing at Ariana Grande’s Dangerous Woman Tour concert stop in Manchester that killed twenty-three and wounded more than 100 people. Grande put together a star-studded team to shine a light in the darkness. It also raised money for the victims and their families. It raised about £17 million (about USD 22 million) through ticket sales, donations and Grande’s release of two singles dedicated to the tragedy. Performers included: Grande, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Coldplay and Mac Miller.