Live Aid & Leicester: Three Bassists, One Global Stage

As 2025 is Live Aid’s 40th anniversary, it’s the perfect time to remember Leicester’s remarkable (and little-known) role in the world’s biggest charity concert. On 13 July 1985, music fans across the globe tuned in for a day that would change live performance history forever. Two stadiums, Wembley in London and JFK in Philadelphia, hosted a lineup of the most influential musicians of the era. And among the sea of stars, three musicians from Leicester took their place on stage – all of them bassists, each helping to power a legendary performance.

Three Bassists, One Global Stage.

John Illsley : Dire Straits’ Steady Hand
Born in Leicester in 1949, John Illsley was a founding member and bassist of Dire Straits. At Wembley, his signature melodic bass lines anchored the band’s performance, which included their hit “Money for Nothing,” with Sting making a special guest appearance. Illsley’s calm stage presence and rock-solid rhythm were part of a set that perfectly captured the tone of the day.

John Deacon : Queen’s Quiet Powerhouse
Two years younger, John Deacon (born in Leicester in 1951) was Queen’s bassist and songwriter. Known for letting his bass do the talking, Deacon stood alongside Freddie Mercury, Brian May, and Roger Taylor for what is now regarded as the defining moment of Live Aid. Queen’s 21-minute Wembley set, from “Bohemian Rhapsody” to “We Are the Champions”,  is regularly ranked among the greatest live performances in rock history. Deacon helped to drive the energy that electrified the stadium and millions watching around the world.

Paul Martínez : Leicester to Led Zeppelin in Philadelphia
Paul Martínez, born in Leicester in October 1947, was a renowned session bassist whose career spanned collaborations with artists from Cat Stevens to Robert Plant. At Live Aid, Martínez joined the reunited Led Zeppelin for their set at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. Alongside Plant, Page, and Jones, plus drummers Tony Thompson and Phil Collins, he stepped into a high-pressure, transatlantic moment of rock history. Though the performance itself was famously chaotic, Martínez’s presence meant Leicester had a bassist on both sides of the Atlantic that day.

Leicester’s Live Aid Legacy

It’s a striking coincidence that three Leicester-born musicians, all bassists, each performing on one of the most-watched stages in music history. Between them, Illsley, Deacon, and Martínez provided the low-end heartbeat for Dire Straits, Queen, and Led Zeppelin, spanning both Live Aid venues.

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, Leicester’s contribution is worth more than a passing note,  it’s a unique chapter in the city’s musical heritage.

Call-Out for Memories

Were you there at Wembley or Philadelphia in 1985? Did you work on the crew, help with the production, or watch from the crowd? Social Gallery is collecting stories for our upcoming Live Aid & Leicester feature as part of the 80’s Remixed: The Alternative Decade project.

If you were involved on stage, backstage, or in the audience, we’d love to hear from you. Help us document and celebrate Leicester’s place in this once-in-a-lifetime event.

Email us hello@socialgallery.co.uk