Bob Geldof talks always being bored of Band Aid, the end of rock ‘n’ roll and Taylor Swift

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Bob Geldof is one of the few people who truly made a global impact, most famously with Live Aid. But he seems surprisingly unsure about how much his work actually accomplished. He and author Paul Vallely explore his legacy in their new book, Live Aid: The Definitive 40-Year Story.

So, let’s begin with you, Bob. A new book about Live Aid shares that people sometimes playfully call you ‘Bobsy’ or ‘Brother Teresa’ – should we use one of those nicknames?

Did you think in 1985 that we’d all still be sitting here talking about Live Aid 40 years later?

After seven years, I had silver replicas of the Band Aid logo created with an inscription thanking everyone who had helped. I felt we’d achieved our goal and wouldn’t need to continue as an organization indefinitely – we weren’t aiming to become a long-term charity like Save the Children. We held a dinner – people were surprised I was treating everyone – and I presented the models to those involved, keeping one for myself which is still tucked away somewhere. That was 33 years ago. However, it quickly became clear that there was still a need for our work, as people continued to support us.

PAUL VALLELY: £2 million still comes in every year [through the Band Aid Trust].

I get bored pretty quickly. Thankfully, knowing Band Aid is still helping millions of people, and getting angry about unfairness, keeps me going. But honestly, a lot of the time, it all just feels boring.

You’re bored of Band Aid?

I’ve never enjoyed performing, and I don’t like recording or rehearsing either – it all just really bores me. I only rehearsed for one day before the current Boomtown Rats tour because I can’t stand it. If I forget the lyrics during a show, I just improvise – that’s just my personality.

Actually, Bob, I disagree. You’re incredibly determined and have always been a really driven person. You definitely don’t seem bored, not at all.

Honestly, I feel like we’ve reached the limit of what we can achieve with Band Aid. I don’t have anything further to contribute except possibly as a chairman or advisor.

BG: It’s not that hard; don’t forget her Trump statements.

Bob, you tend to voice what others are already thinking, and you don’t show much respect for anyone, whether they’re famous or powerful. A good example of this was when you told Margaret Thatcher, “Nothing is as simple as dying, Prime Minister.” However, beneath that blunt exterior, you’re actually quite thoughtful and a little anxious. You carefully planned how you would speak to Thatcher, even practicing your tone and choosing your outfit. You did the same thing when you tried to convince Paul McCartney to participate in Live Aid – everything was very deliberate and well-prepared.

Can Band Aid go on without Bob?

There’s a chance a new leader, like Bob Geldof, could inspire a different group of people and create change in a new way.

Our approach has always changed over time. After Live Aid, we shifted our focus from simply providing charity to tackling the root causes of poverty by challenging unfair global political and economic systems. Fortunately, Bono, who started as a relatively unknown figure in Dublin, had become a world-famous celebrity. He remained a close friend and was willing to use his influence to try and make a difference. This led to us expanding Band Aid to include a dedicated team working on policy and advocacy.

Perhaps traditional rock music isn’t as popular now with the rise of digital platforms and social media, but something new will inevitably take its place.

Rock and roll’s heyday is over, and I’m much more interested in what new music will emerge. I personally don’t understand technology – I’m a bit of a technophobe – but I’m happy to support those who can use it creatively. At 74, I’d rather leave the tech side to a younger generation, and frankly, I’d prefer it that way.

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2025-11-24 21:10