Why Bono Finds Re-Watching U2’s Live Aid Set ‘Excruciating’

U2's set at Live Aid was one of the biggest highlights from the legendary benefit concert. However, it's a moment Bono finds "excruciating" to revisit.

The singer touches on the moment in his new memoir Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, which comes out on November 1. An excerpt from the book covering the Live Aid moment was recently published by The Guardian.

"Wembley Stadium, July 1985. Live Aid. A gigantic moment in the life of U2," writes Bono. "...As for the show itself, influential though it was in the arc of our band, I confess that I find it excruciating to watch. It’s a little humbling that during one of the greatest moments of your life, you’re having a bad hair day."

Bono adds, "Now, some people would say that I’ve had a bad hair life, but when I am forced to look at footage of U2 playing Live Aid, there is only one thing that I can see. The mullet. All thoughts of altruism and of righteous anger, all the right reasons that we were there, all these flee my mind, and all I see is the ultimate bad hair day."

Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story is currently available for pre-order at SurrenderMemoir.com.

Live Aid, the day the music changed the world, took place 36 years ago today (July 13.)

The legendary benefit show emanated from Wembley Stadium in London and JFK Stadium in Philadelphia. It helped raise more than $125 million for African famine relief efforts and was broadcast live in 110 countries and was watched by over a billion people worldwide.

In honor of its anniversary, take a look at these ten must-watch performances.

There were a number of collaborations that took part during Live Aid, but the one with the most chemistry was clearly when Jagger and Turner performed "State Of Shock/It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll (But I Like It)."

Still two years away from their major breakthrough with The Joshua Tree, U2 showed the world their performance power with "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Bad" and in the process made the enormity of Wembley Stadium feel like an intimate setting.

Bowie delivered with a tight four-song set that included "TVC 15," "Rebel Rebel," "Modern Love" and "Heroes."

The Cars took to the stage at JFK Stadium with a killer set that included "You Might Think," "Drive," "Just What I Needed" and "Heartbeat City."

Dire Straits

Two months prior to Live Aid, Dire Straits released their fifth studio album, Brothers In Arms. One month prior to Live Aid, the band launched the album's second single, "Money for Nothing" featuring Sting. So, understandably, when Sting joined the band for "Money for Nothing" at Live aid, the crowd went wild.

The most metal moment to happen during Live Aid was when Judas Priest crushed it at JFK Stadium. Kudos to them for wearing all that leather during the ungodly heat.

By the time Live Aid took place, Madonna was one of the biggest, if not the biggest pop star in the world thanks to the release of Like a Virgin, which had been out for nine months.

Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers made the most of their time on stage with a packed four-song set of "American Girl," "The Waiting," "Rebels" and Refugee.

McCartney was joined on stage by Alison Moyet, David Bowie, Pete Townshend and Bob Geldof to perform the Beatles classic "Let It Be."

Last but definitely not least is Queen, who ruled the day with what would become one of the best live performances in music history. And 36 years later, few have touched the magic Queen created on stage at Live Aid.