The idea to produce a tribute show in honour of the Live Aid concert from 1985 was a dream project that creators Jonny Gardiner and Dave Patten had been working on for some time.
Neither expected the premier show to be the smash hit that it was - paving the way for a national tour and a string of charity partnerships helping those in need.
Both musicians have toured internationally and previously performed in shows playing the parts of Bono, Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury who were among the star studded line-up of music legends from the day music changed the world.
‘‘It seemed like a very obvious thing to do,’’ Gardiner said.
‘‘Between the two of us we had previously covered most of the essential characters required to put on a great Live Aid tribute show.
‘‘Once we enlisted the help of Stu Greenwood as Mick Jagger, Claire Cassidy as Tina Turner and Shannon Brown as Elton John, we knew we had a great show.
‘‘We truly respect Bob Geldof’s remarkable humanitarian achievements with the original concert and thought this was a way we could give something back to local communities.’’
Patten said both he Gardiner were heavily influenced by the original concert and the artists that performed in it.
‘‘It was a true labour of love creating a show that would do justice to the legends who performed on that day in 1985,’’ Patten said.
The showed premiered in Gosford in July 2016 to a sell out crowd.
‘‘It was an amazing night,’’ Patten recalls. ‘‘Everyone in that audience felt like they were a part of something bigger than just a tribute concert’’.
Live Aid 85 - The Tribute has teamed up with two Sutherland Shire charities. Reaching - who provide emergency food and material relief to those in urgent need- and Orana - who provide vital community services.
‘‘We are beyond proud to not only do what we love to do on the stage but also help out those in need through local charities on the ground.
Sutherland Entertainment Centre, Friday, June 16.
- Tickets: suthentcent@ssc.nsw.gov.au or 9521 8888.
