British Stars Gather for Band Aid Remake

LONDON (AP) _ Some of Britain's biggest pop stars gathered Sunday to record a new version of the hugely successful 1984 fund-raising hit ``Do They Know It's Christmas?'' being rereleased

Monday, November 15th 2004, 11:13 am

By: News On 6


LONDON (AP) _ Some of Britain's biggest pop stars gathered Sunday to record a new version of the hugely successful 1984 fund-raising hit ``Do They Know It's Christmas?'' being rereleased this year to benefit victims of violence in Sudan.

Coldplay's Chris Martin, Jamelia, Ms. Dynamite, Will Young and members of the bands Busted, the Darkness and Sugababes were all part of the project, called Band Aid 20.

Paul McCartney, U2's Bono, Dido and Robbie Williams also participated in the new version, making their contributions ahead of time.

``It sounds gaudy, but I guess there is a legacy,'' said Bob Geldof, who wrote ``Do They Know It's Christmas?'' in 1984 with Midge Ure, for a superstar group they called Band Aid.

The original record raised millions for those starving in Ethiopia.

Geldof and Ure organized this year's effort, which will benefit those suffering in the Darfur region of Sudan. The song is due out Nov. 29.

Geldof, who also planned the 1985 Live Aid concerts and has been knighted for his activism, said he hoped the new recording would spur Britain's government to use its 2005 stints heading the European Union and the G8 group of wealthy nations to improve life for those in poor countries.

``The reality is that only politics created this dilemma and only politics can resolve it,'' he said.

Among those who participated in the 1984 recording were Boy George, George Michael, Sting, Phil Collins, Bono and the members of Duran Duran, Bananarama and Spandau Ballet.
logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News on 6 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

November 15th, 2004

March 14th, 2024

December 4th, 2023

September 25th, 2023

Top Headlines

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024

March 28th, 2024