It’s another Music Monday, folks! As we gear up for Farm Aid 2013, let’s go back to Farm Aid’s roots and remember just how this all began…
Many of you are aware that Farm Aid is the longest running benefit concert series in America, raising over $43 million to support family farmers and grow the Good Food Movement across the United States, but do you know what inspired the idea for the first Farm Aid concert? For those who aren’t as well-versed in Farm Aid history, here’s the short of it: Farm Aid started as an idea at the Live Aid Concert in 1985 when Bob Dylan said on stage, “Wouldn’t it be great if we did something for our own farmers right here in America?” Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp agreed that family farmers needed some support…and the rest is history!
Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty at Farm Aid in 1985
Over the past 28 years, many legendary performers have graced the Farm Aid stage to support our mission of keeping family farmers on the land and thriving. Bob Dylan himself joined Willie, Neil and John on stage at Farm Aid 1985 in Champaign, Illinois, and again via satellite in 1986 at the show Austin, Texas.
Check out the videos of Bob Dylan’s 1986 performance below — featuring "Seeing the Real You At Last," "Across the Borderline," and "Rainy Day Women #12 & 35" — and head over to our YouTube page for more videos from 1986 and other past Farm Aid shows!
