Although I won’t share exactly how old I was when the video and song “Do They Know It’s Christmas” written by Bob Geldof & Midge Ure and released by Band Aid became a hit… I will share that I listened to it too many times to count!
What great memories. Watching the video again tonight is such a great reminder how powerful teams are when they work together for social good. The Band Aid effort highlighted the famine of Ethiopia. Geldof had a November appt with BBC radio 1 DJ Richard Skinner to appear on his radio show. However, instead of discussing his new album he publicized the idea for the charity single. So even before they recruited there was intense media interest.
Band Aid consisted of the leading Irish and British musicians of the era. The single sold a million copies the first week, ultimately selling 3.5 million copies domestically. It remained the largest selling single in UK history until 1997 when Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” was re-released in Tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales that sold 5 million copies.
Can you imagine the power and impact a video and song of such could have in today’s world with the support of social media. I bet a similar video could get millions of hits in days, not years. Imagine the tweets, witters, Facebook posts and blogs that would be written on the cause. Wow! Could be awesome!
I’d love to see our leading musicians do something similar. Maybe they can sell enough to fund the health care initiative – joking!
I have one other confession… I still think Simon Lebon of Duran Duran is a hottie! No wonder someone I know use to have a life size poster in their room. No need to mention any names ;)
What are your thoughts on the video and it’s impact? What about the power something similar could have in today’s social media crazed, twittering tweeting world?
3rd question… if you are brave enough to answer… what life size posters did you have on your wall!?
Who Took Part?
The original Band Aid ensemble consisted of:
- Adam Clayton (U2)
- Phil Collins
- Bob Geldof (Boomtown Rats)
- Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
- Chris Cross (Ultravox)
- John Taylor (Duran Duran)
- Paul Young
- Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
- Glen Gregory (Heaven 17)
- Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
- Simon Crowe (Boomtown Rats)
- Marilyn
- Keren Woodward (Bananarama)
- Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
- Jody Watley (Shalamar)
- Bono (U2)
- Paul Weller (The Style Council)
- James ‘J.T.' Taylor (Kool & The Gang)
- George Michael (Wham!)
- Midge Ure (Ultravox)
- Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
- John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)
- Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
- Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)
- Sarah Dallin (Bananarama)
- Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)
- Pete Briquette (Boomtown Rats)
- Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
- Robert ‘Kool' Bell (Kool & The Gang)
- Dennis D. T. Thomas (Kool & The Gang)
- Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
- Jon Moss (Culture Club)
- Sting
- Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
- Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
- Johnny Fingers (Boomtown Rats)
- David Bowie
- Boy George (Culture Club)
- Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
- Paul McCartney
- Stuart Adamson (Big Country)
- Bruce Watson (Big Country)
- Tony Butler (Big Country)
- Mark Brzezicki (Big Country)
The sleeve artist, Peter Blake, was also credited on the sleeve.
