The Guardian : Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? reissued as all-star mashup – including three generations of Bono

For 40 years, Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas? has been praised by some as a triumph of charitable fundraising and festive songwriting – and condemned by others as the most high-profile example of white saviourhood in pop. Now, to mark its latest anniversary, the song is coming back around for a fourth time, in the form of an all-star splicing of the three previous official versions. Announcing the new version, Bob Geldof, who masterminded the 1984 original, says Do They Know It’s Christmas? “tells the story not just of unbelievably great generational British talent, but still stands as a rebuke to that period in which it was first heard. The 80s proclaimed that ‘greed is good’. This song says it isn’t. It says it’s stupid.” Proceeds will benefit the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which supports health and anti-poverty initiatives across Africa.

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Toronto Star : Bob Geldof hopes Live Aid musical inspires younger generation to take action

“Just For One Day” draws on a fictionalized version of the story behind Live Aid, a cultural moment that unfolded on July 13, 1985, when Madonna, Queen, Elton John and other major acts performed to help raise funds and fight famine in Ethiopia. [...] Bob Geldof doesn’t think Live Aid — or a global benefit concert of its size — could have the same impact today that it once did, but he hopes a new musical attached to his name might inspire younger people to take his lead in making a difference.

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Virgin Radio Uk : Virgin Radio to celebrate 40 years of Band Aid with new documentary - details

The two-part documentary will be an account of the story behind the recording of Do They Know It’s Christmas from those who were there in 1984, and will look at the legacy of the song and how it continues to save African lives four decades later. Reflecting on Band Aid’s cultural impact, Band Aid at 40 will feature never-aired-before footage and access from those who masterminded the landmark single, from the high profile singers to those behind the scenes, who were the beating heart behind the landmark track. It will feature brand new interviews with, among others, Bob Geldof.

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Official Charts : Band Aid 40: Bob Geldof's ambitions for Do They Know It's Christmas? anniversary release

Bob Geldof has hinted a 40th anniversary release of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? could be on the way. 2024 marks 40 years since The Boomtown Rats' frontman Bob Geldof and Ultravox's Midge Ure first enlisted a star-studded supergroup for the charity song; which went on to become 1984's Official Christmas Number 1 single and raise millions for the famine relief effort in Ethiopia.

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The Guardian : Bob Geldof gives nod of approval to the Old Vic’s Live Aid musical

The production will tell the story of the concert at Wembley Stadium on 13 July 1985, at which 70 global artists performed. More than 1.5 billion people watched the live broadcast. The concert, along with a second gig in Philadelphia, raised $127m for famine relief. Live Aid was conceived by Geldof after he was moved and angered by images of people starving to death in Ethiopia.

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Euronews : 'I fear new famine,' Live Aid relief organiser Bob Geldof tells Euronews (By Yorgos Mitropoulos)

The Sani music festival in northern Greece is celebrating its 30th anniversary this month. In the balmy night air, big crowds turned out to hear Irish rock star Bob Geldof and his band the Bobkatz strum through some Boomtown Rats classic hits. Geldof is famous for his fundraising activities fighting famine, and he used his appearance to warn about the impact of the war in Ukraine on world food supplies.

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