The Secret Policeman's Ball
The Secret Policeman's Ball is an Amnesty International benefit that first took place in 1976. As with the later Live Aid and Live8 concerts organized by Bob Geldof , all artists at the Secret Policeman's Ball also perform free of charge. All proceeds from the shows went to Amnesty International.
The ball was held in the United Kingdom or Ireland in 1976, 1977, 1979, 1981, 1987–89, 1991, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2006 and 2008 . The last ball so far took place in the USA in 2012 .
background
The purpose of the event should be to support prisoners of war and political prisoners. Fittingly: the song I shall be released , which was performed by Sting and all the other musicians at the end of the concert .
Musician
The ball was repeatedly supported by top-class pop musicians through performances. The joint appearance of Eric Clapton , Phil Collins , Sting (shortly after the separation from The Police ), Donovan , Jeff Beck and Bob Geldof at the ball in 1981, which was released as The Secret Policeman's Concert on LP and CD, was particularly effective .
comedian
Monty Python also appeared as well as the Australian comedian Barry Humphries as Dame Edna . Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) also played a sketch on stage in 1979.