Was LiveAid Broadcasted in the Soviet Union in June 1985?

[red2blue]

I hope someone remember and can help to answer this question.

I've googled various combinations of /with the above key words, but haven't found an answer yet. I've found out that for the first time ever an uncensored program aired from the USSR to the West - performance of a popular Soviet rock band Authograph as part of LiveAid on July 13, 1985.

Comments

[tisiphone]

According to SPIN Magazine of 1986, no. According to an LA Times article, the USSR and China were announced to be rebroadcasting, but then dropped it.

[red2blue]

Thank you so much! somehow these didnt show up in my searches - I should improve my googling skills! ;o)

[tisiphone]

It's worth noting that Geldof was extremely aggressive about marketing the global nature of the event, and he had actually advertised that it would be broadcast in the USSR and China. OP, if this is a major plot point you might hunt up the Live-Aid documentary, which has some really great behind the scenes stuff (as well as the musical performances).

[red2blue]

Thanks a mil! the airing is (as the events take place mostly in Moscow), not so much the marketing of the event. But I'd be interested to see it anyway. Thanks again for your help.

[anonymous]

Just got the Geldof autobiography off the shelf (Is that it?) and he says

p396

'I had felt cheated by the Russians. We has been told the concert would go there live. It did, but only to a select 2000 in some clubs in Moscow'

So Geldof thinks it was screened in some places in Russia, but not on general release.

The reference to the topless shots is page 382, but it only says

'they only need one excuse in the East to take us off the air' there's no context to whether the East means China, Russia, Middle East.

[doriscrockford2]

Just saw tisiphone's comment, so ignore me . :)

[red2blue]

thanks anyway for leaving a note of you recollections! I always find it's interesting to hear people's memories and impressions.

[west_side]

First, it was very much not uncensored. Second, live or even recorded broadcasting of the event was absolutely impossible at that time. It may have been mentioned in passing in the news, but unless your character is from the right crowd, he wouldn't know or notice.

You've chosen extremely difficult period to write about. Good luck.

[red2blue]

That's interesting. I'd be grateful if you could elaborate on who 'the right crowd' were.

Thank you - I realize that it's a difficult period, but so much more interesting because of that, no? I've picked it up for a purpose ;o)

[west_side]

Basically, April 1985 is your cut off day. That's the date when Gorbachev announced that where would be changes. No one got to what extend, and most people didn't believe him, thinking it's just a KGB trick to find out who's not thrilled with the regime. But slowly, things began to change. By 1987, it was clear that there was no turning back. For instance, in the Soviet times to get into a university, one had to be a Komsomol member. In 1986 all kids would still join when they were 14. In 1987 - some joined, some didn't. In 1988 - most would pass. A similar progression would be seen about most other popular issues of the time. There were also some regional differences, but that's getting too complicated

[red2blue]

Thank you very much! this is very helpful indead. I will try to get the book too.
Would you terribly mind if I turn to you with more questions about ussr - if I have them down the road?
cheers!