It started with a documentary and finished with the birth of a new charity. He was the most unlikely of heroes. He just wanted to be a rock star. He wanted to follow up his bands hit single with a hit album but it wasn’t to be. Instead he challenged and changed our attitude to charitable donations, he embarrassed governments into action, he charmed royalty into support and he proved that with vision, passion, determination and energy the impossible was possible. He was naive, he was foulmouthed and he looked a mess .He didn’t look like a manager or behave like a manager he wasn’t a manager, he was a leader. He influenced, he negotiated, he inspired others He also exasperated colleagues and made commitments that he had no right to make. But in the end he delivered.
On the 13 th July 1985 Status Quo opened Live Aid with Rocking all over the world and although Bob Geldof did not tell a live world wide audience to “Give us your fucking money” they did. As a result thousands were saved from starvation.
He was a hero that day because he showed one man could make a difference. He was a leader because it was his passion and his vision and his drive that made it happen. As I watched when Harvey met Bob on BBC tv over the Christmas holiday I was inspired all over again.
Blair McPherson is author of People management in a harsh financial climate and Equipping managers for an Uncertain Future both published by www.russellhouse.co.uk