Home > Bob Geldof

Geldof first came to fame in the mid- 1970s as leader of the Boomtown Rats, a rock group closely linked with the punk movement. In 1978, they had their first Number 1 single with "Rat Trap", which was the first new wave chart-topper in the UK. The follow-up, " I Don't Like Mondays", was equally as successful and also massively controversial, as Geldof wrote it in the aftermath of Brenda Ann Spencer's attempted massacre at her school in San Diego, CaliforniaCalifornia is a state located in the western United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean. The most populous and third largest state in the U. California is both physically and demographically diverse. The state's official nickname is "The Golden State", wh at the beginning of 1979Events January-February January 1 Sino-American relations: United States and the People's Republic of China establish diplomatic relations January 4 State of Ohio agrees to pay $675,000 to families of dead and injured in Kent State University shootings.. The band wrote the song immediately and it was at Number 1 in the UK before the end of the year.

Geldof quickly became known as a colourful spokesman for rock music. Their first appearance on Ireland's Late Late Show led to complaints from viewers. He had limited success as an actor, his most notable role being in the 1982Events January January 6 William Bonin is convicted of being the "freeway killer". January 8 AT&T agrees to divest itself of twenty-two subdivisions January 11 Mark Thatcher, son of the British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, disappears in the Sahara du film of Pink FloydPink Floyd is a British psychedelic rock band famous for its songwriting, harmonic classical rock compositions, bombastic style and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd is one of rock's most successful acts, ranking seventh in number of albums sold worldwide.'s The WallAlternate uses: The Wall (disambiguation). The Wall is a rock opera and concept album by Pink Floyd. Hailed by critics and fans as one of Pink Floyd's best albums (along with Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here , the album is known as a rock and.

The Rats did not remain for long at the top of the tree, and by 1984This page is about the year 1984. For other uses of 1984, see 1984 (disambiguation). 1984 is a leap year starting on Sunday (link shows calendar). Events January January 1 Brunei becomes a fully independent state January 1 AT&T is broken up into 22 indepe their career had declined sharply. It was in NovemberNovember is also the letter N in the NATO phonetic alphabet. November is the eleventh month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 30 days. From the Latin novem for " nine". It was originally the ninth month of the year in the early Roman calendar, w of that year that Geldof saw a BBC news report by Michael Buerk on the famine in Ethiopia and vowed to do something about it.

Aware that he could do little on his own, he called Midge Ure from Ultravox and together they quickly co-wrote the song, " Do They Know It's Christmas?".

Geldof kept a November appointment with BBC Radio 1 DJ Richard Skinner to appear on his show, but instead of discussing his new album (the original reason for his booking), he used his guesting to publicise the idea for the charity single, so by the time the musicians were recruited, there was intense media interest in the subject.

Using powers of persuasion which have since become a major part of the Geldof legend, he put together a group ( Band Aid), consisting of leading British rock and pop musicians, all of whom were at the very top of the industry.

The single was released just before Christmas with the aim of raising money for the relief of the famine. Geldof's somewhat cautious hope was for 70,000 pounds. Ultimately, however, the song raised many millions of pounds and became the biggest-selling single in UK chart history.

The idea was copied in the States a few months later, with the song "We Are The World", co-written by Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Geldof's first point of contact Lionel Richie. It topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic. Geldof attended the recording, which took place immediately after the 1985 Grammy awards, and sang on the chorus at the end.

Not content with the enormous success of the Band Aid single, Geldof went on to organise (and perform with the Rats at) the massive charity concert Live Aid, which raised unprecedented sums for the cause, and travelled all over the globe raising money. He even challenged Margaret Thatcher, the then Prime Minister of the UK, leading to a major re-evaluation of British government policy towards famine relief. In recognition of this work, he has received many awards, including a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. As a non-British subject the Irish-born Geldof was legally precluded from being awarded a full knighthood, and use of the title "Sir". Nevertheless, he is often incorrectly called "Sir Bob Geldof", if not "Saint Bob".

By now, Geldof was one of the world's most recognisable and admired men - and also one of the most foul-mouthed. Known for swearing in order to make his point, regardless of the audience or time of day, he was parodied as a man who uttered obscenities every other word. Most famously, he used the F-word during an afternoon stint in the BBC's Wembley studio at Live Aid when encouraging people to call the telephone numbers and pledge money. Sitting in the studio with him at the time were Andrew Ridgeley and Billy Connolly.

The Boomtown Rats had split by this time, and Geldof returned to his career as a musician, releasing a series of solo albums with palpable success. He also performed with Dave Gilmour .

Along with U2's Bono, he has devoted much time since 2000 to campaigning against debt in Africa.

As Geldof became world-famous, his personal life was affected by bitter tragedy. He had met long-term partner Paula Yates when she became an obsessed fan of the Rats in their early days - they got together as a couple when she hopped on an aeroplane to Paris to surprise him when the band were playing gigs there.

The couple married in 1986 after a long and happy courtship and they had two more daughters to follow their eldest Fifi Trixibelle, who was born prior to their wedding. Simon Le Bon was Geldof's best man.

Yates, presenter of cutting-edge music show The Tube, left Geldof for Michael Hutchence, singer with INXS, whom she met when interviewing him on The Big Breakfast, the show produced by Geldof's production company after it won the contract to provide a morning news and entertainment show for Channel 4.

Yates had another daughter by Hutchence. When Hutchence committed suicide in 1997, Geldof went to court and obtained custody of the four daughters. Geldof's experiences during his divorce have led him to become an outspoken advocate of fathers' rights. After Yates' death from an overdose, Geldof became the legal guardian of her daughter with Hutchence, believing that she should be raised with her sisters.

Geldof is profitably involved in business activities and is rumoured to be considering seeking election to the office of President of Ireland in 2004.