40 years ago today (9/22/85), the very first Farm Aid benefit concert was held before 80,000 fans at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois—just months after the landmark Live Aid shows. Organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, and Neil Young, Farm Aid was sparked by Bob Dylan’s offhand remark at Live Aid that he hoped some of the money might help struggling American farmers.

The inaugural lineup was a who’s who of country, rock, and Americana legends: Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Charlie Daniels Band, John Denver, Bob Dylan, John Fogerty, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Willie Nelson, Charley Pride, Bonnie Raitt, Kenny Rogers—and many more.Watch Neil Young tear into “Hey Hey, My My” at Farm Aid ‘85…