Amnesty International took a six-year hiatus from producing benefit shows in the mid-1980s, as other good causes staged charity concerts that stole the spotlight. After a brief sabbatical, Amnesty returned in 1987 with renewed energy. A new generation of British comedians, including Robbie Coltrane, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, and the Spitting Image puppets, took up the mantle. The music lineup featured Bob Geldof, Kate Bush, David Gilmour, Joan Armatrading, and Duran Duran, as well as Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, and Jackson Browne, who had recently performed for Amnesty in the USA. The events were later combined into a TV special, keeping the momentum going.
The Secret Policeman's Third Ball
The success of Amnesty International's benefit concerts led to a six-year hiatus, as other organizations staged charity events, stealing the spotlight and top talent from the stars.
