Various

In January, Shout Factory compiled a three-DVD box set collecting select comedy and musical performances from the first (1979 to 1981) and second waves (1987 to 1988) of the Secret Policeman's Ball concerts; the classic Amnesty International fundraisers that have been cited as the inspiration behind Live Aid. This single DVD release completely removes Dudley Moore and the Monty Python troupe, along with the rest of the comedy acts, leaving a collection of classic musical performances, including usual suspects Sting, Dave Stewart, Phil Collins and Bob Geldof. What makes The Secret Policeman Rocks! worth a viewing are the number of high-profile collaborations: Kate Bush with David Gilmour, Pete Townsend with John Williams, Peter Gabriel with Lou Reed and Youssou N'Dour and Jackson Browne. Although not as comprehensive or grandiose as Rhino's Live Aid box, The Secret Policeman Rocks! is a good representation of the birth of rock activism.