2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the original 1985 Farm Aid benefit concert, which took place at Memorial Stadium on UIUC’s campus. Motivated by the economic difficulties of Midwestern farmers during the 1980s farming crisis, a variety of musical artists led an effort to hold a concert, with the goal of donating all proceeds to struggling farms.
The front page of the News-Gazette, September 20, 1985 from the Farm Aid Concert folder, News-Gazette Subject Files Collection.
Following in the footsteps of similar aid efforts such as Live Aid, the organization effort for Farm Aid was led by country music star Willie Nelson. The idea to raise funds for domestic causes first came to him during conversations with fellow artists while recording “We Are the World,” earlier in 1985. Bob Dylan is also credited with bringing further attention to the concept during his Live Aid performance later in the summer of 1985. Having grown up around farming in his hometown of Abbott, Texas, Nelson had long been aware of the unique struggles facing American farmers, but he never took credit for the original idea, opting instead to point out the list of people that had mentioned it to him. However, he did most of the work to make the idea reality, first by bringing it to the attention of Illinois governor James Thompson. Two days later, the University of Illinois agreed to host the concert on campus. A week after that, Nelson and John Mellencamp announced the concert to the world.
From left: Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Gov. James Thompson in Champaign, August 15, 1985, from the News-Gazette Clippings Collection.
With a date set for September 22, only 36 days after the initial announcement, the organizers found themselves scrambling to make the event happen. From talent booking and publicity to staging and security, all hands were on deck for the next couple of weeks. Nelson took on a major portion of the planning, including sorting out ticket prices, figuring out how to best handle the proceeds, and personally asking artists such as Neil Young and the Beach Boys to perform. Ultimately, over 100 artists offered to perform, with roughly half making appearances at the concert. The final lineup included major musical acts from a variety of genres, both current and past, with names such as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Bon Jovi, Lou Reed, and Tom Petty.
During the planning process, Nelson was determined to take actionable steps to assist American farmers. He spent time at the Minnesota State Fair, hearing firsthand from farmers about the issues they had been facing. Many farmers expressed a desire to keep politicians out of the plans, with many feeling that the government had played a major role in the failing farming industry at the time. Nelson and Gov. Thompson worked together to receive input from farmers and agricultural leaders from across the country. In addition to the donation of proceeds, they also set up a hotline, 1-800-FARMAID to receive donations over the phone, which continues to receive donations to this day.
Fans line up outside of the Assembly Hall to buy tickets, August 28, 1985, from the Farm Aid Concert folder, News-Gazette Subject Files Collection.
Excitement for the concert began to build as more artists signed on to perform. Thousands of ticket buyers lined up, with some camping overnight outside, at the U of I Assembly Hall, now the State Farm Center. Over half of the tickets were sold in the first day of sales alone, with individual tickets costing $17.50. Groups from across the country began offering donations of goods to assist the concert organizers. The concert was quickly gaining steam, with only a handful of weeks to go.
The view at Memorial Stadium, September 22, 1985, from the News-Gazette Clippings Collection.
September 22 finally dawned in east central Illinois, after a frantic few weeks of planning. Rain started about fifteen minutes into the fifteen-hour concert and continued throughout the day, but concertgoers were undeterred. Decked in plastic ponchos, the crowd of over seventy thousand was determined to enjoy the lineup ahead. As reported in the News-Gazette, license plates from Florida to Washington could be seen around town.
Willie Nelson and Mick Jagger performing, September 22, 1985, from the Farm Aid Concert folder, News-Gazette Subject Files Collection.
The local community played an important role in concert proceedings. Security and traffic control were handled in large part by the Champaign and Urbana Police Departments, and transportation to the stadium was provided by MTD. Volunteers from the local community assisted in many areas, from setup to cleanup. The News-Gazette even reported the 20 football players from the Urbana High School team spent the entire day selling concessions. Concert planners praised the local community for their role in preparations, with some stating, “You couldn’t work with better people.”
Ultimately, over $8 million in aid was raised at the concert alone, with organizers expected to see over $50 million in the subsequent year. Nelson also continued to expand the philanthropic branch of Farm Aid. Today, the organization provides support services to farmers via their hotline and the Farmer Resource Network. Upon the success of the first concert, Nelson planned a follow-up the next year, which happened July 4, 1986 in Manor, Texas, with similar success. The concert has now become an almost yearly occurrence since then, with communities all over the country hosting the event. Farm Aid 40 took place earlier this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Willie Nelson, Neil Young, and John Mellencamp as the headliners. The concert that began forty years ago in Champaign-Urbana continues to live on today.
The Archives aren't the only place in town reminiscing about Farm Aid! Visit the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures to see the exhibit Songs of Solidarity: The 1985 Farm Aid Concert on display.
- Luisa Matzner
Archives Assistant