It's The Anniversary Of Champaign Hosting The First Farm Aid

The very first Farm Aid concert was on September 22nd, 1985 and held at the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois.

I remember when the first Farm Aid Concert was announced. I really wanted to go to the show. Especially, because Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen were going to perform together for the first time. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it.

I did watch it on TV. It was really cool to see. Sammy and Eddie were on at the end and their part got cut a little bit short because Hagar decided to swear on the live broadcast.

The whole concept of the Farm Aid concert goes along with a philosophy of mine, "Have a good time while helping a good cause."

According to farmaid.org,

The first Farm Aid concert happen.

"Farm Aid started as an idea at the Live Aid Concert 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 were in dire need of assistance and decided to plan a concert for America. The show was put together in six weeks and was held on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois before a crowd of 80,000 people. It raised over $7 million for America’s family farmers."

Some of The Eagle artists that played that first Farm Aid show.

Video: Sammy Hagar and Eddie Van Halen

Video: Foreigner

Video: John Mellencamp

Video: Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers

Video: Bon Jovi

What is Farm Aid?

"Farm Aid is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to keep family farmers on the land."

Why did Farm Aid start?

"Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp organized the first Farm Aid concert in 1985 to raise awareness about the loss of family farms and to raise funds to keep farm families on the land."

To learn more about Farm Aid.

Video: Farm Aid: A Song For America

What is the Farm Aid Concert?

"Each year, Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp and Dave Matthews host a Farm Aid concert to bring together a wide variety of artists, farmers, and fans for one mission: keeping family farmers on the land. Farm Aid is an all-day festival that brings together incredible music, good food, and hands-on activities to get folks in touch with the roots of our food. Since 1985, Farm Aid has raised more than $50 million to help family farmers thrive all over the country while inspiring millions of people to take part in the Good Food Movement."

There have been other Farm Aid Concerts held in Illinois.