It all started with reports made by BBC journalist Michael Birk in 1984 who tried to drew attention to the sitation in Ethiopia where mass starvation was happening. Bob Geldof of the Boomtown Rats and his partner Paula Yates (TV presenter) where heavily shocked and were determined to do something to help Ethiopia. On the second of November 1984 Paula presented another episode of the music show The Tube. On the show was also Ultravox. Midge Ure talked with Paula behind the scenes. Geldof mentioned to her that he wanted to talk to Midge. They already did a charity benefit show called "The Secret Policeman's Ball" in 1981 and he wanted to discuss things the next day during lunch. The plan was to record a charity record for Ethiopia.
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| Credits: MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) Archive: maf.org |
In order to avoid to pay royalties they decided to write a song together. Ure came up with a melody and Geldof introduced lyrics he already wrote for a possible song for The Boomtown Rats titled "It's My World". They asked Trevor Horn to produce the record but he said he needed 6 weeks for that. But that would take to long to release it in time for christmas. In return he offered that his Sarm West Studios in London may be used to record the song.
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| Phil Collins, Bob Geldof and Sting |
Ure started to work and the music while Geldof started phoning artists if they were prepared to perform on the record. Everyone he phoned was prepared to join or at least contribute in some way except for 3 artists that never have been named. David Bowie, The Big Country, Holly Johnson and Paul McCartney were not able to be there but they recorded a message that was used on the B-Side of the single. The Thompson Twins were touring and donated part of the income of their single "Lay Your Hands on Me" to the Action for Ethiopia charity. Many UK magazines donated by offering free space to promote the single in their magazines. Bob's record company Phonogram donated by offering their services to distribute the record.
Pop art artist Peter Blake who was also responsible for the cover of The Beatles Sgt. Pepper album donated his art to use for the cover.
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| Sting, Bono and Simon Le Bon |
For the intro Midge used a sample of the drums from the 1983 track "The Hurting" by Tears for Fears. John Taylor of Duran Duran and Paul Weller visited Ure's studio the day before the recording to add bass guitar and lead guitar. But Weller's guitar didn't fit and he agreed with Midge that the guitar was dropped. Ure sang the guide vocal. Sting and Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran recorded their parts already during this day. The next day on Sunday 25th of November the recording would start with all the artists. The actor Nigel Planer came as his character Neil from the TV show The Young Ones uninvited. Phil Collins arrived to play live drums on top of the drum machine.
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| Front and back of single cover |
The B-Side was titled "Feed The World" using the spoken messages from artists who couldn't make it en ended with Bob thanking everyone:
"This record was recorded on the 25th of November 1984. It's now 8 AM in the morning of the 26th. We've been here 24 hours and I think it's time we went home. So from me, Bob Geldof, and Midge, we'd say, 'Good morning to you all, and a million thanks to everyone on the record. Have a lovely Christmas.
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| Group photo used on the back |
Vocalists:
Robert "Kool" Bell (Kool & the Gang)
James "J.T." Taylor (Kool & the Gang)
Dennis Thomas (Kool & the Gang)
Bono (U2)
Adam Clayton (U2)
Pete Briquette (the Boomtown Rats)
Simon Crowe (the Boomtown Rats)
Johnny Fingers (the Boomtown Rats)
Bob Geldof (the Boomtown Rats)
Phil Collins
Chris Cross (Ultravox)
Midge Ure (Ultravox)
Marilyn
Sara Dallin (Bananarama)
Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)
Keren Woodward (Bananarama)
Boy George (Culture Club)
Jon Moss (Culture Club)
Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17)
Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)
Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
John Taylor (Duran Duran)
Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)
George Michael (Wham!)
Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
Sting (the Police)
Jody Watley
Paul Weller (the Style Council)
Paul Young
Spoken messages on B-side:
David Bowie
Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson (Big Country)
Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
Paul McCartney
Other musicians:
Phil Collins – drums
John Taylor – bass guitar
Midge Ure – PPG Wave, Yamaha DX7, Oscar, Drum programming
It didn't end here. The summer of 1985 would go any further with a benefit concert broadcasted all over the world titled Live Aid where more money would be collected to aid Ethopia. And also Live8 in 2005 with performances from G8 countries and South Africa.
VIDEO
The making of Band Aid
BBC report by Michael Birk about Ethopia