Many may be unaware that one of the key figures behind the historic Live Aid 1985 concert was none other than Malaysian billionaire T. Ananda Krishnan. While most know him as a media tycoon and the third richest man in Malaysia, his pivotal role in the iconic event has only recently resurfaced.
The Historic Concert
Live Aid 1985, held on 13 July 1985, aimed to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The 16-hour “superconcert” featured over 75 legendary artists, including Queen, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Madonna, and David Bowie, and was hosted simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It reached an estimated 1.9 billion viewers in 150 countries, making it one of the most ambitious international satellite TV broadcasts of its time.
Queen’s electrifying 21-minute set during Live Aid, now immortalized in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, is often hailed as the greatest live rock performance in history.
Ananda Krishnan’s Contribution
While the event is widely associated with Bob Geldof, who co-founded it, Ananda Krishnan played a crucial role in financing and organizing Live Aid. This little-known fact was recently revived by writer Bernice Chauly, who shared a 1985 Newsweek article detailing Krishnan’s contributions.
At the time, Krishnan, then 47, was an oil baron and the head of Excorp, one of the largest independent oil trading companies in the Far East. He also served on the boards of Bank Negara Malaysia and Petronas. However, his ambitions extended far beyond the oil industry. He dreamed of creating a “global village” by broadcasting sports and entertainment worldwide and sought to use his wealth to invest in socially impactful ventures.
When Krishnan read about Bob Geldof’s Band Aid initiative, which had raised funds through the charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas?, he reached out to Geldof. Recognizing Live Aid’s potential, Krishnan offered to cover overhead costs that British charity laws prohibited the Band Aid Trust from using its funds for. This led to a pivotal partnership, with Krishnan providing USD 750,000 in seed funding and a USD 1 million letter of credit to kickstart Live Aid.
The Execution of Live Aid
Live Aid reportedly cost USD 400,000 to set up in London and USD 3.7 million in the US. Krishnan’s company, Worldwide Sports and Entertainment—co-founded with Michael Mitchell, who had overseen planning for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics—was contracted to organize the event.
The success of Live Aid’s global broadcast inspired Krishnan to venture into the media and telecommunications industry. In the early 1990s, he established a multimedia empire that included Maxis Communications, Astro Malaysia, and MEASAT Broadcast Network Systems.
A Legacy Remembered
Ananda Krishnan passed away on 28 November 2024 at the age of 86, after battling a progressive lung disease. In a heartfelt statement, his three children described him as a private man who avoided sentimental goodbyes.
“So, as his children, we would like to take this chance to say a farewell to you on his behalf, with gratitude for your part in his journey. And now, he is moving on,” they wrote.
Krishnan’s contributions to Live Aid remain a testament to his vision of connecting the world and using his resources for a greater good. His legacy as a philanthropist, entrepreneur, and visionary will continue to inspire generations.