Live Aid was my first gig so I could see McCartney

Forty years ago, on July 13, 1985, a huge concert called Live Aid took place at Wembley Stadium in London. The event was organized to raise money for people suffering from famine in Ethiopia. The concert featured some of the biggest names in music, including Queen, U2, David Bowie, and Paul McCartney, who was once a member of the legendary band The Beatles. The concert was broadcast all over the world, with about two billion people watching from more than 100 countries. For Dino Vescera, a 19-year-old music fan from Northampton, Live Aid was his very first concert. He decided to go because he wanted to see his hero, Paul McCartney, perform live.

Getting a ticket to Live Aid was not easy. There was a huge demand, and many people wanted to be part of this historic event. Dino was lucky enough to get his ticket just a couple of days before the concert. The ticket cost him £25, with £5 for the entry and £20 as a donation to help the famine victims in Ethiopia. Dino said the ticket was worth much more than what he paid because the experience was so incredible. He still keeps the ticket as a special memory, even though the banner his sister made for him got lost somewhere in the stadium.

On the morning of the concert, Dino left Northampton very early, around four or five o'clock, because he knew this was not just any ordinary concert. When he arrived at Wembley, he and his friend rushed inside to get as close to the stage as possible. They managed to get about 20 to 40 rows from the front, which was amazing considering how many people were there. Dino was a huge fan of The Beatles and especially Paul McCartney. He had never seen Paul perform live before, so when McCartney finally came on stage in the evening and started playing the first chords of 'Let It Be,' Dino was overwhelmed with emotion. He said he felt shivers and even started to cry, along with many others in the crowd. It was a powerful and unforgettable moment for him.

Since that day, Dino has seen Paul McCartney perform more than 50 times, traveling to different places to watch his concerts. But he says that nothing compares to his first experience at Live Aid. He remembers how special it was to see so many brilliant artists and to be part of such a historic event. At the time, he did not realize how important the concert would become in music history, but now he looks back and understands just how significant that day was. Live Aid is remembered not only for the amazing performances but also for the way it brought people together to help others in need. For Dino, it was the start of a lifelong passion for live music and a memory he will always treasure.