On September 22, 1985, the first Farm Aid concert was held at the Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois. The event was organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young to raise funds for American family farmers who were struggling to keep their farms due to a combination of factors, including rising production costs, falling crop prices, and mounting debt.
The star-studded lineup featured over 50 artists from various genres, including Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty, and Joni Mitchell. The concert lasted for 14 hours and was attended by around 80,000 people, raising over $9 million for farm relief.
One of the most memorable moments of the concert was when Bob Dylan performed a set featuring songs from his album "Highway 61 Revisited," which had been released exactly 20 years earlier on September 22, 1965. Dylan's performance was seen as a major highlight of the event and a testament to his enduring influence on music.
The success of the first Farm Aid concert led to it becoming an annual event, with concerts being held in different locations across the United States. To date, Farm Aid has raised over $60 million to support family farmers and promote sustainable agriculture practices.
The impact of Farm Aid extends beyond just the financial assistance it provides. The concert series has helped raise awareness about the challenges faced by American family farmers and has inspired countless people to support local, sustainable agriculture. It remains a powerful example of how music can be used as a force for positive change in the world.
