Bob Geldof (b. 1951)

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"Bob Geldof on Fathers" — 1995

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Biography

Robert Frederick Zenon Geldof is an Irish singer-songwriter and political activist. He rose to prominence in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, who achieved popularity as part of the punk rock movement. The band had UK number one hits with his co-compositions "Rat Trap" and "I Don't Like Mondays". Geldof starred as Pink in Pink Floyd's film Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982).

Timeline

The story of Bob Geldof, told in moments.

1979 Event

The Boomtown Rats' "I Don't Like Mondays" hit number one in 32 countries. Geldof wrote it after watching a news story about a 16-year-old girl who opened fire on a schoolyard and gave that phrase as her only explanation.

Was writing 'I Don't Like Mondays' about a real shooting difficult? Did the song's success in 32 countries feel appropriate for such dark subject matter?

1984 Event

Watched a BBC news report on the Ethiopian famine and called Midge Ure. Within weeks they'd assembled Band Aid and recorded "Do They Know It's Christmas?" It sold 3.5 million copies in the UK alone.

What happened between watching that BBC report and calling Midge Ure? Was Band Aid a reflex or a plan?

1985 Event

Organized Live Aid, dual concerts in London and Philadelphia broadcast to 1.9 billion people across 150 countries. Raised over $125 million for famine relief. The largest satellite link-up in history at the time.

Did you realize Live Aid would reach 1.9 billion people? Was $125 million enough? Is there a limit to what one concert can do?

Artifacts (15)

Bob Geldof in March for Europe 2016

Jamie Dettmer/VOA

2016-07-02

commons View

Ampex Golden Reel Award

Unknown

ca. 1984

vam View

Geldof in Africa

Bob Geldof celebrates the glories of Africa and its diverse peoples in a stunningly illustrated book tracking his journey across the continent. Provocative, informative, funny, poignant and endlessly...

2005

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Is that It?: The Autobiography

Bob Geldof formed Band Aid, orchestrated Live Aid, rallied the forces of rock performers all over the world and inspired millions to raise millions for the starving in Africa. But the song and dance...

2005

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Sons + Fathers

SONS & FATHERS brings together a remarkable array of politicians and world leaders, writers and musicians, cultural icons and actors in this collection dedicated to fathers. A moving, fascinating and...

2015

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Tales of Boomtown Glory: Complete Lyrics and Selected Chronicles for the Songs of Bob Geldof

Tales of Boomtown Glory is a collection of the complete lyrics from Bob Geldof's Boomtown Rats and solo albums, accompanied by an introduction and 25 song stories written by Geldof, and exclusive...

2020

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So war's: Kindheit u. Jugend in Dublin, d. Boomtown Rats, Band Aid u. Live Aid

1987

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IS THAT IT? ABRIDGED BY MARGERY MORRIS.

1987

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Does Africa Matter?

1987

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Egypt

1987

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Is That It?

1988

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Loudmouth: The Best of the Boomtown Rats and Bob Geldof

1994

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Loudmouth: The Very Best of Bob Geldof and the Boomtown Rats

1994

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Loudmouth - Besty

1994

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B & S: The World's Most Outrageous Party

1997

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