It’s been 30 years since Do They Know It’s Christmas first topped the charts and the song is back again with Bob Geldof and Midge Ure at the helm.
It was always on the cards and now we’re apparently just hours away from finding out who will be appearing on the Band Aid 30 re-working of Do They Know It’s Christmas.
Released in 1984, the original version, hastily organised by Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof and Ultravox singer Midge Ure, has raised £8 million for famine-affected Ethiopia and subsequent concerts, including the legendary Live Aid in 1985, have since gone on to raise more than £150 million for charity.
It is the fourth time the song, tipped as a strong contender for this year’s Christmas number one, has been recorded.
Joining Bob and Midge on the original were some massive stars from the 1980s including Boy George, Paul Young, George Michael, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and of course Bono who’s famous for the legendary “tonight thank God it’s them instead of you” line.
The song reached number one again five years later with a version started by Kylie Minogue and also featuring Jason Donovan, Cliff Richard and Marti Pellow.
And then 15 years later the song was the Christmas chart topper for a third time thanks to Band Aid 20, a supergroup made up of the likes of Chris Martin, Sugababes, Robbie Williams, Dido, Dizzee Rascal and Bono who returned to sing his immortal line.
Sir Bob and Midge are expected to announce the lineup for Band Aid 30 later on today with the likes of Ed Sheeran, One Direction and Sam Smith strongly tipped to get behind the mic for charity.
The big question is who will get Bono’s line or will he be back to sing it himself?
In case you aren’t old enough or can’t recall the original take a listen to the Original that started the movement.
