In 1985, U2 were supposed to play their biggest hits at Live Aid. One heroin experiment changed their career

U2’s 12-minute performance of “Bad” at Live Aid in 1985 became a turning point in the band’s career, helping bring them to a much wider audience. The song had not been planned as the set’s centrepiece, but its emotional intensity and Bono’s interaction with the crowd made the moment memorable.

U2 were scheduled to play three songs, opening with “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and intending to finish with “Pride (In the Name of Love)”, but their allotted time ran out. “Bad”, inspired by heroin addiction in Dublin, expanded into an improvised performance with lyrical nods to Lou Reed and the Rolling Stones. The Edge later said he initially thought the band had played badly, before recognising the sense of jeopardy and Bono’s determination to reach the audience.