How Mick Jagger and David Bowie's 'Dancing in the Street' video became an MTV staple during Live Aid

The duet happened almost by accident. Jagger and Bowie were both scheduled to perform at Live Aid in 1985, but on opposite sides of the Atlantic—Jagger in Philadelphia, Bowie in London. To bridge the distance, producer Nile Rodgers suggested they cut a one-off cover of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street.” The single, released just before the concert, gave both artists a rare solo pop presence at a time when Jagger was still battling the shadow of the Rolling Stones and Bowie was between major album cycles. The song shot to No. 1 in the UK and No. 7 in the US, proving they could each work without their usual bands.

The music video got constant airplay on MTV largely because of timing and spectacle. MTV was still in its mid-’80s golden era of “Big