1985: The First Farm Aid Concert is Performed

Blame Bob Dylan for Farm Aid. During his appearance at the Live Aid event during the summer of 1985, He said, “I hope that some of the money…maybe they can just take a little bit of it, maybe…one or two million, maybe…and use it, say, to pay the mortgages on some of the farms and, the farmers here, owe to the banks.” Many were upset by Dylan’s remarks as Live Aid was a fundraiser African famine relief, but the sentiment seemed to resonate with others and so on this day in 1985, the first Farm Aid concert was held that featured Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Sammy Hagar, Lou Reed and others. Since that day, Farm Aid has raised over $33 million to support “good food from family farms.” (Image: Farm Aid)