Live 8! It’s Official! Bob Geldof Details Multiple Global Concerts and All Star Performers Line Up
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 31, 2005
Updated 6/29/2005
Bob Geldof has made lightening strike twice! 20 years after organizing Live Aid in 1985, to raise awareness and funds to help with relief to stem the African Famine, Geldof is now realizing his dream of a major music event focusing and demanding the global public’s awareness and attention to actively peruse concrete resolutions to worldwide poverty and to the blight of “debt, aid, and trade” issues plaguing Africa. Geldof has put together Live 8, a mammoth music event conceivably larger and no doubt to prove every bit as historic as the beloved Live Aid.
Today, Bob Geldof officially announced that the much heralded, greatly anticipated Live 8 will be not one, but a minimum of at least five simultaneous music concerts to be held Saturday July 2, Internationally, at London, England’s Hyde Park, at Circus Maximus in Rome, Italy, at the Palais de Versailles in Paris, France, at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, West Germany, (at Park Place in Barrie, Canada...Updated 6/23/2005), (at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, Japan...Updated June 27, 2005), (at Red Square In Moscow, Russia...Updated 6/27/2005), and at the Museum Of Art in Philadelphia, USA.
Additionally, Cornwall, England will host The Eden Project/Africa Calling, a companion concert to benefit the Live 8 cause, also held Saturday July 2, 2005, hosted by Peter Gabriel and showcasing music artists from Africa. (Updated 6/23/2005)
At an International press conference today at London’s Grosvenor Hotel, with Elton John sitting beside him, and John stating that he was exceedingly proud to be performing at the upcoming event, Geldof discussed that the concerts, all of which will be free to the public, are being staged to assist in raising worldwide public awareness of poverty in developing nations, specifically in Africa, only days before many of the Western World’s leaders meet to address the issues of third world poverty, hunger, and the spread of the AIDS pandemic, at the historic G8 Summit which takes place July 6-July 8, 2005 in Gleneagles, Scotland.
Geldof noted that in precise timing with the G8 Summit, that Live 8 will be a significant platform to address and raise awareness of global poverty. “Here we are again. Live 8 is a unique opportunity for Britain to do something unparalleled in the world and at the beginning of the 21st century, and that is to tilt the world a little bit on its axis in favor of the poor. What Live Aid did joyously, and enthusiastically, was open up the avenues of possibility. Live 8 invites you to walk down them.”
Geldof was joined at the media conference by collaborators for Live 8, which included original Live Aid co-founder Midge Ure, Live Aid concert promoter Harvey Goldsmith, current IFPI Chairman/CEO John Kennedy, and Elton John, who also performed at Live Aid. John proudly exclaimed that “I would go on a dangerous mission with Bob. I trust him with my life. He is an honorable, honorable man and I admire him so much for what he’s doing here.”
Discussions are still going on to discuss plans to stage more concerts in the cities of the other three G8 nations, Japan, Canada, and Russia.
The BBC will broadcast the televised event Internationally around the globe and coordinate feeds to local television affiliates in various countries. AOL will also stream the shows live on the Internet. Tickets will be available through competitions via various media.
Geldof urged people across the globe to support the Make Poverty History campaign, by traveling to Edinburgh after the concerts to actively participate in the Edinburgh demonstrations which will be conducted simultaneously as the G8 Summit is being held..
Geldof in typical well intentioned and lionhearted colorful bluster, bluntly espoused “If anyone is not going to come to our party…and it’s going to be one hell of a party…they can f**k right off”.
“These concerts are the starting point for “The Long Walk To Justice”. We will not tolerate the further pain of the poor while we have the financial means and moral means to prevent it. The boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world on its axis. What we started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks. What we do next is seriously, properly, historically and politically important.”
The lineup as of 6/29/2005 and subject to the addition of more artists includes:
London:
Coldplay
Pink Floyd (Reunited Original Members)
U2
Sting
Bob Geldof
Mariah Carey
Dido
Keane
Snow Patrol
Sir Elton John
Annie Lennox
Madonna
Sir Paul McCartney
Razorlight
Snoop Dogg
The Killers
Velvet Revolver
Joss Stone
Stereophonics
R.E.M.
Scissor Sisters
Robbie Williams
Ms. Dynamite
Travis
UB40
Philadelphia:
Will Smith
Destiny's Child
Def Leppard
Alicia Keys
The Black Eyed Peas
Linkin Park
Bon Jovi
Dave Matthews Band
Stevie Wonder
Sarah McLachlan
Jay-Z
P. Diddy
Josh Groban
Maroon 5
Rob Thomas
Toby Keith
Keith Urban
Kaiser Chiefs
Rome:
Faith Hill
Tim McGraw
Duran Duran
Jovan Otti
Nek
Laura Pausini
Vasco Rossi
Zucchero
Paris:
The Cure
Muse
Andrea Bocelli
Sheryl Crow
Dido
Shakira
Tina Arena
Cerrone/Nile Rogers
Axelle Red
Craig David
Calogero
David Hallyday
Diam's
Disiz La Peste
Faudel
Florent Pagny
Johnny Hallyday
Kool Shen
Kyo
Louis Bertignac
Placebo
Renaud
Yannick Noah
Youssou N'Dour
Berlin:
Green Day
A-Ha
Audioslave
Roxy Music
Crosby, Stills & Nash
Lauryn Hill
Brian Wilson
Bap
Die Toten Hosen
Chris de Burgh
Renee Olstead
Sasha
Joana Zimmer
Juan Diego Florez
Juli
Katherine Jenkins
Reamonn
Sibermond
Soehne Mannheims
Wir Sind Helden
Barrie:
Motley Crue’
Neil Young
Jet
Deep Purple
Bryan Adams
Blue Rodeo
Bruce Cockburn
Barenaked Ladies
Our Lady Peace
The Tragically Hip
African Guitar Summit
The Bachman Cummings Band
Doba Caracol featuring Kna’an
Gordon Lightfoot
Great Big Sea
Jann Arden
Les Trois Accords
Sam Roberts
Simple Plan
Tegan & Sara
Tom Cochrane
Tokyo:
Bjork
Good Charlotte
Def Tech
Dreams Come True
McFly
Rize
Moscow:
Pet Shop Boys
Bravo
B-2
Moral Code X
Spleen
Valery Sutkin
Eden Project/Africa Calling:
Angelique Kidjo
Maryam Mursal
Salif Keita
Thomas Mapfumo
Tinariwen
Daara J
Shikisha
Ayub Ogada
Modou Diouf & O Fogum
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 31, 2005 Updated 6/29/2005
Sources:
http://www.live8live.com/
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000938641
http://www.nme.com/news/112519.htm
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=4034
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Bob Geldof Invites Pope To Rock Concert
Bob Geldof Invites Pope To Rock Concert
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 27, 2005
Irish rocker and artist/social activist Sir Bob Geldof is in Rome today, personally requesting that the auspicious presence of His Eminence, The Pope grace a rock concert to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, following the historic G8 Summit which will also be held in Edinburgh, July 6-8, 2005.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of Scotland’s Catholics met with Geldof in London and said that Geldof planned on inviting the Pope to Scotland’s capital for a rock concert.
Cardinal O’Brien told Scotland’s Today program that “Sir Bob said he would love to have concerts in the great centres of the world, in London at Hyde Park, in Paris at the Eiffel Tower, in Germany, the U.S., and so on. And at the end of the concerts, he (Geldof) will call for a pilgrimage to Edinburgh asking all those involved in the concerts, and everybody else who wants to come from the G8 countries, to come to Edinburgh again.” (Culminating in a celebratory music concert to be held in Edinburgh).
“Geldof said he was going to see the Pope and the Cardinal’s Secretary Of State and Cardinal Martino (who is) in charge of justice and peace issues about the possibility of the Pope coming as well to this large gathering at the end of all the concerts.”
In observation of the New Pope, Pope Benedict XVI’s views on the “evils” of rock & roll and it’s supposedly inherent “diabolical and satanic messages”, in which he singled out artists; The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin as prime examples of rock music artists whose music is “especially evil”, it will be interesting to see if this new radically conservative Pope can be swayed by Geldof’s genuineness as to the virtues which do in fact imbue rock & roll, via these series of planned charity benefit concerts.
Let the Pope not prejudge, but let him see and hear with his own eyes, ears, and heart, personally attending this music event. Let the Pope bear witness to and be inspired by this planned final charity benefit rock concert and its performing artists in Edinburgh as ample proof of the joyous, wonderful light in rock & roll, in music. If anyone is capable of convincing the Pope of the Good that rock & roll holds and does for this world, of its uplifting grace and power in making an active difference, of its stance as an urgent plea and call to arms and positive action to and in the face of the G8 Summit’s addressing the need to end world poverty, hunger, and AIDS, it is something only a Knight…of rock & roll can do. Our thoughts and hearts are with you, Sir Bob.
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 27, 2005
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 27, 2005
Irish rocker and artist/social activist Sir Bob Geldof is in Rome today, personally requesting that the auspicious presence of His Eminence, The Pope grace a rock concert to be held in Edinburgh, Scotland, following the historic G8 Summit which will also be held in Edinburgh, July 6-8, 2005.
Cardinal Keith O’Brien, the leader of Scotland’s Catholics met with Geldof in London and said that Geldof planned on inviting the Pope to Scotland’s capital for a rock concert.
Cardinal O’Brien told Scotland’s Today program that “Sir Bob said he would love to have concerts in the great centres of the world, in London at Hyde Park, in Paris at the Eiffel Tower, in Germany, the U.S., and so on. And at the end of the concerts, he (Geldof) will call for a pilgrimage to Edinburgh asking all those involved in the concerts, and everybody else who wants to come from the G8 countries, to come to Edinburgh again.” (Culminating in a celebratory music concert to be held in Edinburgh).
“Geldof said he was going to see the Pope and the Cardinal’s Secretary Of State and Cardinal Martino (who is) in charge of justice and peace issues about the possibility of the Pope coming as well to this large gathering at the end of all the concerts.”
In observation of the New Pope, Pope Benedict XVI’s views on the “evils” of rock & roll and it’s supposedly inherent “diabolical and satanic messages”, in which he singled out artists; The Rolling Stones, Queen, The Eagles, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin as prime examples of rock music artists whose music is “especially evil”, it will be interesting to see if this new radically conservative Pope can be swayed by Geldof’s genuineness as to the virtues which do in fact imbue rock & roll, via these series of planned charity benefit concerts.
Let the Pope not prejudge, but let him see and hear with his own eyes, ears, and heart, personally attending this music event. Let the Pope bear witness to and be inspired by this planned final charity benefit rock concert and its performing artists in Edinburgh as ample proof of the joyous, wonderful light in rock & roll, in music. If anyone is capable of convincing the Pope of the Good that rock & roll holds and does for this world, of its uplifting grace and power in making an active difference, of its stance as an urgent plea and call to arms and positive action to and in the face of the G8 Summit’s addressing the need to end world poverty, hunger, and AIDS, it is something only a Knight…of rock & roll can do. Our thoughts and hearts are with you, Sir Bob.
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 27, 2005
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Bob Geldof Officially Confirms Benefit Concert
Bob Geldof Officially Confirms Music Benefit Concert
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright May 26, 2005
After weeks of Bob Geldof adamantly denying swirling press rumors and speculation of a 2nd Live Aid type music benefit, today Geldof officially confirmed plans for yet another major International star studded music benefit extravaganza. The event will be held most likely the first week of July 2005, to raise worldwide global awareness to find and enact solid resolutions to eradicate world poverty, specifically of that, in Africa, to coincide with the timing of the historic G8 Summit discussing world poverty in Scotland July 6-8, 2005. The as yet unnamed event is being possibly touted as being called Live 8.
Speaking at this year's 50th 2005 Ivor Novello Songwriting Awards in London, where Geldof and his Band Aid 20 co-organizer Midge Ure were honored with the 2004 Best Selling UK Single Award for "Do They Know It's Christmas", Geldof insists that this is not a 2nd Live Aid, but it is a major International music benefit concert planned and developed in the same spirited vein, co- organized with Live Aid co-founder and Geldof's longtime friend, musician Midge Ure of Ultravox.
On Tuesday May 31, Geldof and Ure are expected to confirm details of the charity concert for which an International media press conference has been organized for the two musicians and artist activists in London.
Geldof noted that "What started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks. There's more than a chance that the boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world around on its axis. What we plan to do in the next five weeks is seriously, properly, historically, politically important."
According to Sting, who was also on hand at the Novello Awards, and who is already confirmed as one of the headlining stars to perform, "Bob called me up and said I was doing it. He doesn't ask you, he tells you."
Below are today's press release announcements from sources below:
www.billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937172
www.pollstar.com
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=4024
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright May 26, 2005
After weeks of Bob Geldof adamantly denying swirling press rumors and speculation of a 2nd Live Aid type music benefit, today Geldof officially confirmed plans for yet another major International star studded music benefit extravaganza. The event will be held most likely the first week of July 2005, to raise worldwide global awareness to find and enact solid resolutions to eradicate world poverty, specifically of that, in Africa, to coincide with the timing of the historic G8 Summit discussing world poverty in Scotland July 6-8, 2005. The as yet unnamed event is being possibly touted as being called Live 8.
Speaking at this year's 50th 2005 Ivor Novello Songwriting Awards in London, where Geldof and his Band Aid 20 co-organizer Midge Ure were honored with the 2004 Best Selling UK Single Award for "Do They Know It's Christmas", Geldof insists that this is not a 2nd Live Aid, but it is a major International music benefit concert planned and developed in the same spirited vein, co- organized with Live Aid co-founder and Geldof's longtime friend, musician Midge Ure of Ultravox.
On Tuesday May 31, Geldof and Ure are expected to confirm details of the charity concert for which an International media press conference has been organized for the two musicians and artist activists in London.
Geldof noted that "What started 20 years ago is coming to a political point in a few weeks. There's more than a chance that the boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world around on its axis. What we plan to do in the next five weeks is seriously, properly, historically, politically important."
According to Sting, who was also on hand at the Novello Awards, and who is already confirmed as one of the headlining stars to perform, "Bob called me up and said I was doing it. He doesn't ask you, he tells you."
Below are today's press release announcements from sources below:
www.billboard.com
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000937172
www.pollstar.com
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=4024
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Bob Geldof Speaks Out At Scottish Parliament's Conference On Africa
Bob Geldof Speaks Out At Scottish Parliament's Conference On Africa
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright 5/17/2005
Yesterday, May 16, 2005, Irish Rocker, Social Activist, World Humanitarian Bob Geldof spoke at the Scottish Parliament's Conference On Africa, held in Edinburgh, Scotland. The always outspoken, forward thinking Geldof took on the Conference's 150 representatives, rightfully blasting the world's leaders for taking inadequate measures to resolve third world poverty, as well as to resolve poverty, starvation, and increase both education and AIDS awareness and prevention in Africa.
Geldof, who is a member of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Commission For Africa, frankly expressed his utter, complete dissapointment, frustration, consternation, and disgust at the leading western world's nations in their failure to effectively meet these intrinsic goals for the people of Africa and developing countries. He bluntly admonished the world's leaders while making an urgent plea to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to enforce holding United States President George Bush accountable for U.S. foreign aid to Africa. Geldof also bluntly stated that the leaders of the eight largest industrial nations proposed to attend the upcoming G8 Summit had better not attend at all, unless they had a concrete plan to readily enact regarding facilitating various progress and developments in forgiving third world debt and aiding global economic growth.
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright 5/17/2005
For further details see both article sources below taken from www.contactmusic.com
dated 5/17/2005
"Geldof Blasts World Leaders Over Africa"
Link to article below.
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20blasts%20world%20leaders%20over%20africa
"Geldof Urges Blair To Pressure Bush Into Helping Africa"
Link to article below.
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20urges%20blair%20to%20pressurise%20bush%20into%20helping%20africa
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright 5/17/2005
Yesterday, May 16, 2005, Irish Rocker, Social Activist, World Humanitarian Bob Geldof spoke at the Scottish Parliament's Conference On Africa, held in Edinburgh, Scotland. The always outspoken, forward thinking Geldof took on the Conference's 150 representatives, rightfully blasting the world's leaders for taking inadequate measures to resolve third world poverty, as well as to resolve poverty, starvation, and increase both education and AIDS awareness and prevention in Africa.
Geldof, who is a member of British Prime Minister Tony Blair's Commission For Africa, frankly expressed his utter, complete dissapointment, frustration, consternation, and disgust at the leading western world's nations in their failure to effectively meet these intrinsic goals for the people of Africa and developing countries. He bluntly admonished the world's leaders while making an urgent plea to British Prime Minister Tony Blair to enforce holding United States President George Bush accountable for U.S. foreign aid to Africa. Geldof also bluntly stated that the leaders of the eight largest industrial nations proposed to attend the upcoming G8 Summit had better not attend at all, unless they had a concrete plan to readily enact regarding facilitating various progress and developments in forgiving third world debt and aiding global economic growth.
By Arlene R. Weiss Copyright 5/17/2005
For further details see both article sources below taken from www.contactmusic.com
dated 5/17/2005
"Geldof Blasts World Leaders Over Africa"
Link to article below.
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20blasts%20world%20leaders%20over%20africa
"Geldof Urges Blair To Pressure Bush Into Helping Africa"
Link to article below.
http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20urges%20blair%20to%20pressurise%20bush%20into%20helping%20africa
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Bob Geldof's Live 8, Confirmed Dates, Tentative Acts, News
Bob Geldof's Live 8, Latest News, Confirmed Dates, Tentative Acts
By Arlene R. Weiss 5/14/2005
As of 5/14/2005 Here are some updates on Live 8.
According to source below:
http://contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20sets%20date%20for%20live%20aid%20ii
"SIR BOB GELDOF has organised his LIVE AID II concert to coincide with this year's 2005, G8 summit - to put pressure on US president GEORGE W BUSH."
"LIVE 8 will be held free at London's Hyde Park on 2 and 3 July 2005, and is intended to encourage the American leader to end poverty in Africa when he meets the world's most powerful leaders in Scotland on 6 July 2005".
"A source tells British newspaper THE SUN, "Geldof has taken on one of the biggest projects of his life with this - but it's a brilliant idea."
"He's the only man who could pull it off and it is the best way of forcing Bush, Blair and the heads of the world's most powerful countries to put their money where their mouths are."
"It will be the biggest ever political lobby for the poor people of the world."
"And it will be different from Live Aid because Bob isn't asking for the public to donate money."
"Through sponsorship, he wants to stage the concerts for free and get the public to demand that our leaders listen and take action at the summit."
08/05/2005 10:56 copyright www.contactmusic.com
Here's additional news from Pollstar...
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=3998
Some of the rumored as yet unconfirmed International All Star acts, include U2, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Oasis, who will reportedly be performing for free at London's Hyde Park, and also Eminem as well as other artists are set to play for free at an as yet undetermined USA venue, with both concerts to be staged simultaneously in the same vein as Live Aid.
More acts are being touted according to NME...
http://www.nme.com/news/112340.htm
By Arlene R. Weiss 5/14/2005
By Arlene R. Weiss 5/14/2005
As of 5/14/2005 Here are some updates on Live 8.
According to source below:
http://contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/geldof%20sets%20date%20for%20live%20aid%20ii
"SIR BOB GELDOF has organised his LIVE AID II concert to coincide with this year's 2005, G8 summit - to put pressure on US president GEORGE W BUSH."
"LIVE 8 will be held free at London's Hyde Park on 2 and 3 July 2005, and is intended to encourage the American leader to end poverty in Africa when he meets the world's most powerful leaders in Scotland on 6 July 2005".
"A source tells British newspaper THE SUN, "Geldof has taken on one of the biggest projects of his life with this - but it's a brilliant idea."
"He's the only man who could pull it off and it is the best way of forcing Bush, Blair and the heads of the world's most powerful countries to put their money where their mouths are."
"It will be the biggest ever political lobby for the poor people of the world."
"And it will be different from Live Aid because Bob isn't asking for the public to donate money."
"Through sponsorship, he wants to stage the concerts for free and get the public to demand that our leaders listen and take action at the summit."
08/05/2005 10:56 copyright www.contactmusic.com
Here's additional news from Pollstar...
http://www.pollstar.com/news/viewnews.pl?NewsID=3998
Some of the rumored as yet unconfirmed International All Star acts, include U2, Madonna, Paul McCartney, Coldplay, Oasis, who will reportedly be performing for free at London's Hyde Park, and also Eminem as well as other artists are set to play for free at an as yet undetermined USA venue, with both concerts to be staged simultaneously in the same vein as Live Aid.
More acts are being touted according to NME...
http://www.nme.com/news/112340.htm
By Arlene R. Weiss 5/14/2005
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
Bob Geldof's Millennium Call To Arms Staging Live Eight
Bob Geldof’s Millennium Call To Arms Staging Live Eight
By Arlene R. Weiss © 5/11/2005
With all the hot burning issues and goings on in music news currently, there are numerous topics that deserve my acerbic slagging. But dammit, just when I thought I could go off ranting about the next topic to pluck my nerves, good old Sir Bob…Geldof that is, has the nerve to honor the upcoming 20th Anniversary of Live Aid, by using it as leverage for planning and staging an International, large scale charity benefit concert. (At press time, press announcements fueled and amassed hype for as yet unconfirmed details of the concert).
Damn Geldof! He’s like that character Dr. Gregory House on the Fox Television Network’s new medical show “House” that’s become International watercooler buzz. Dr. House…er Bob Geldof …sorry Sir Bob, is all bluster, with a tough as nails exterior, spewing colorful, caustic curse words that would make a sailor blush….all a facade for that heart, oh that’s about as big as a lion’s, and huge enough to try to hug, heal, and save the world.
Bob Geldof never ceases to astound, confound, and put me in inspired awe. After twenty years of literally often putting his life and music career on hold to repeatedly travel to the far corners of third world war torn nations, meeting with The Pope and world leaders to work on active solutions to the world’s ills of poverty, famine, disease, and social injustice, he is planning another mammoth charity benefit music concert called Live Eight.
A conjunction of the words from Live Aid and G8 (The International Summit being held July 6-8, 2005 in Scotland. Representatives of the world’s major financial powers will be discussing and addressing solutions to Third World Poverty), Live Eight is tentatively scheduled for early to mid July 2005. July 13, 2005 will mark 20 years since Live Aid. Perfect timing indeed!
U2, a reunited Pink Floyd, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, Coldplay, and The Cure are just a sampling of some of the many superstar artists playing mum on media buzz they may be on the bill, performing for Live Eight.
So who the hell does Geldof think he is, seizing a prime opportunity to capitalize on the sentiment of Live Aid’s 20th Anniversary, its acclaimed release at long last on DVD this year, and a historic summit meant to hash out an actual plan to reduce if not eliminate world poverty? I’ll tell you who he is. Bob Geldof is a hero, to me. And I do not use that word or take what it stands for lightly. They are in short supply in these new millennium times and so it soars one’s heart to see an actual real deal rise to the occasion…over and over, time and again, answering the call, consistently and without hesitation.
As heroes and humanitarians go, rag all the hell you want about my opinion of Sir Bob. But Bob Geldof is my hero above any celebrity (and in this case above any music artist as well), that has worked his ever lovin’ ass off for 20 years, repeatedly visiting in person, war torn, third world countries in Africa, ridden with filth, plague, famine, cholera, Ebola, rats, no running water, risking his own life, to help people in these countries who have no food, no clean/safe water, no shelter, no proper medical care.
Geldof has often focused on making special time to peruse his music career since The Boomtown Rats split up, dividing and finding time when he can (in between his social/artist activism), to record some wonderful and eclectic solo albums. But one has to conclude that whatever career Geldof has had since the behemoth known as Live Aid, and its ensuing machinery which Geldof willingly has allowed himself to be engulfed in, throwing himself head first into the trenches of the world’s problems, that his music, recording, and performing are certainly a respite, joy, and oasis from the sleepless nights and days, traveling across the world to these ravaged nations in harrowing, yes, dangerous conditions, just to help others, and to raise world wide awareness and funds to help those in need.
I will admit that Bob Geldof, to many, comes across arrogant, even a braggart (though name me one celebrity or rock star who isn’t and most of them have nothing to show for it but their Spinal Tap partying ways and a trail of trashed hotel rooms). At least Geldof puts his money where his mouth or rather his “loudmouth” as he is affectionately known by many, is. I may not always agree with his tactics, but it works for him more than any other rock star/celebrity doing charity work.
Who else but Geldof cursing and yelling on International TV, “Give us your f*****g money!” at Live Aid (which by the way he was misquoted through the years with this, and he was understandably, incredibly frustrated that people watching the concert around the globe were so caught up in being entertained, they were forgetting the purpose of Live Aid and temporarily stopped phoning in donations until his publicly televised “reminder tirade”, but I digress); who else but Geldof, could have rounded up dozens of MUCH bigger ego ridden rock stars, told them all to “park their egos at the door”, and pull off an Internationally Broadcasted all star live rock concert to a global audience of over a billion, via multi-satellite linkups to TV and radio, held in 2 continents, simultaneously, for over twelve hours, with hundreds of technical crews, TV & radio crews, music techs, stage hands, without a hitch, and never once, have you ever heard of any of those rock stars giving Geldof, the concert promoters….and most importantly, the cause of the day, any crap.
And to this day, in all of the charity work that Geldof, and his often partner in crime, U2’s Bono, do, Geldof acts no differently. And whenever he asks for other music artists to get involved, there is no infighting, no squabbling, no tantrums, no star ego trips, from any of the stars he gets involved. Everyone is happy to step up, do their part, and for the cause at hand.
Likewise, when Geldof is asked to dip his toes in the waters of another’s cause, he is also happy to do so. Geldof will personally send a video message to be aired at Nelson Mandela’s next concert, in what has been an ongoing series of global all star benefit concerts organized by Mandela, known as 46664, this one being 46664 Arctic, featuring a glittering lineup of music stars performing to raise awareness and funds to fight and find a cure for AIDS, being held June 11, 2005 in Tromso, Norway. (Likewise Mandela will deliver an urgent message to resolve the AIDS Pandemic to the leaders of the G8 Summit).
Twenty years ago in Reagan era America, we and the rest of the modern western world or “powers” as we often call them, were flush with living what we in the USA termed, the “American Dream”. Financial security, homeland safety, lifelong employment stability, corporate reliability and accountability that invested back to everyday tax paying, hard working, citizens, living a quiet, content life in our single family homes with a big yard and a friendly neighborhood. Rallying to Live Aid and the African Famine was the right thing to do for those less fortunate than us, for those that knew not of a safe, war free nation, much less food to eat.
But in this post 911 new millennium, for America and for much of the modern western nations, where massive unemployment and the implosion, collapse of the corporate infrastructure are rapidly spiraling downwards out of control, crime and drugs have taken the streets away from us and made us frightened prisoners in our own homes, and AIDS has become an International Pandemic engulfing the entire world….we realize that no one on this planet is immune or safe from poverty, war, terrorism, famine, disease. It’s here in our own homes, our own back yard. It’s no longer just an unknown face of a starving child seen via TV news footage, in a remote village on the other side of the world in some forgotten continent. It’s here at home in our shiny, capitalistic metropolis.
Bob Geldof was one of the first to open his eyes and heart to the world’s unjust horrors then. With Live Aid in 1985 and with his ongoing charity work and social activism through the ensuing years, he has continued to keep it in our mind’s eye and in our hearts as well. But now, those inhumane travesties that Geldof personally witnessed which seemingly existed only in Africa, are everywhere. From New York to Los Angeles, from London to Paris, from Toronto to Berlin, from Moscow to Tokyo.
G8 and Live Eight are the official wake up call to the entire world. No longer can we allow an event like Live Aid or Live Eight to remain a one off charity benefit event to temporarily salve the wound and ease our conscience. It’s time to create and structure a regular, concrete plan, a course of action, and view this as the beginning, the catalyst for an era where every human on this planet can live in a world without fear of war or terrorism, disease or hunger, but with peace, food, shelter, tolerance, and humanity.
Geldof is the rabble rousing rebel (and music maker), who never accepts defeat. I’ve read that whenever someone tells him that something cannot be done….his reply is always, “why”? Why, when this world has the resources, funds, technology, and humanity to make the impossible, possible. Bob Geldof PROVED that fact with Live Aid and the immense power of and difference that music can make, in impacting and calling people to arms to help solve the ills of the world. And so I am certain that he will do planet earth proud once again with Live Eight. Can we all, do the same?
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 11, 2005
By Arlene R. Weiss © 5/11/2005
With all the hot burning issues and goings on in music news currently, there are numerous topics that deserve my acerbic slagging. But dammit, just when I thought I could go off ranting about the next topic to pluck my nerves, good old Sir Bob…Geldof that is, has the nerve to honor the upcoming 20th Anniversary of Live Aid, by using it as leverage for planning and staging an International, large scale charity benefit concert. (At press time, press announcements fueled and amassed hype for as yet unconfirmed details of the concert).
Damn Geldof! He’s like that character Dr. Gregory House on the Fox Television Network’s new medical show “House” that’s become International watercooler buzz. Dr. House…er Bob Geldof …sorry Sir Bob, is all bluster, with a tough as nails exterior, spewing colorful, caustic curse words that would make a sailor blush….all a facade for that heart, oh that’s about as big as a lion’s, and huge enough to try to hug, heal, and save the world.
Bob Geldof never ceases to astound, confound, and put me in inspired awe. After twenty years of literally often putting his life and music career on hold to repeatedly travel to the far corners of third world war torn nations, meeting with The Pope and world leaders to work on active solutions to the world’s ills of poverty, famine, disease, and social injustice, he is planning another mammoth charity benefit music concert called Live Eight.
A conjunction of the words from Live Aid and G8 (The International Summit being held July 6-8, 2005 in Scotland. Representatives of the world’s major financial powers will be discussing and addressing solutions to Third World Poverty), Live Eight is tentatively scheduled for early to mid July 2005. July 13, 2005 will mark 20 years since Live Aid. Perfect timing indeed!
U2, a reunited Pink Floyd, Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Madonna, Coldplay, and The Cure are just a sampling of some of the many superstar artists playing mum on media buzz they may be on the bill, performing for Live Eight.
So who the hell does Geldof think he is, seizing a prime opportunity to capitalize on the sentiment of Live Aid’s 20th Anniversary, its acclaimed release at long last on DVD this year, and a historic summit meant to hash out an actual plan to reduce if not eliminate world poverty? I’ll tell you who he is. Bob Geldof is a hero, to me. And I do not use that word or take what it stands for lightly. They are in short supply in these new millennium times and so it soars one’s heart to see an actual real deal rise to the occasion…over and over, time and again, answering the call, consistently and without hesitation.
As heroes and humanitarians go, rag all the hell you want about my opinion of Sir Bob. But Bob Geldof is my hero above any celebrity (and in this case above any music artist as well), that has worked his ever lovin’ ass off for 20 years, repeatedly visiting in person, war torn, third world countries in Africa, ridden with filth, plague, famine, cholera, Ebola, rats, no running water, risking his own life, to help people in these countries who have no food, no clean/safe water, no shelter, no proper medical care.
Geldof has often focused on making special time to peruse his music career since The Boomtown Rats split up, dividing and finding time when he can (in between his social/artist activism), to record some wonderful and eclectic solo albums. But one has to conclude that whatever career Geldof has had since the behemoth known as Live Aid, and its ensuing machinery which Geldof willingly has allowed himself to be engulfed in, throwing himself head first into the trenches of the world’s problems, that his music, recording, and performing are certainly a respite, joy, and oasis from the sleepless nights and days, traveling across the world to these ravaged nations in harrowing, yes, dangerous conditions, just to help others, and to raise world wide awareness and funds to help those in need.
I will admit that Bob Geldof, to many, comes across arrogant, even a braggart (though name me one celebrity or rock star who isn’t and most of them have nothing to show for it but their Spinal Tap partying ways and a trail of trashed hotel rooms). At least Geldof puts his money where his mouth or rather his “loudmouth” as he is affectionately known by many, is. I may not always agree with his tactics, but it works for him more than any other rock star/celebrity doing charity work.
Who else but Geldof cursing and yelling on International TV, “Give us your f*****g money!” at Live Aid (which by the way he was misquoted through the years with this, and he was understandably, incredibly frustrated that people watching the concert around the globe were so caught up in being entertained, they were forgetting the purpose of Live Aid and temporarily stopped phoning in donations until his publicly televised “reminder tirade”, but I digress); who else but Geldof, could have rounded up dozens of MUCH bigger ego ridden rock stars, told them all to “park their egos at the door”, and pull off an Internationally Broadcasted all star live rock concert to a global audience of over a billion, via multi-satellite linkups to TV and radio, held in 2 continents, simultaneously, for over twelve hours, with hundreds of technical crews, TV & radio crews, music techs, stage hands, without a hitch, and never once, have you ever heard of any of those rock stars giving Geldof, the concert promoters….and most importantly, the cause of the day, any crap.
And to this day, in all of the charity work that Geldof, and his often partner in crime, U2’s Bono, do, Geldof acts no differently. And whenever he asks for other music artists to get involved, there is no infighting, no squabbling, no tantrums, no star ego trips, from any of the stars he gets involved. Everyone is happy to step up, do their part, and for the cause at hand.
Likewise, when Geldof is asked to dip his toes in the waters of another’s cause, he is also happy to do so. Geldof will personally send a video message to be aired at Nelson Mandela’s next concert, in what has been an ongoing series of global all star benefit concerts organized by Mandela, known as 46664, this one being 46664 Arctic, featuring a glittering lineup of music stars performing to raise awareness and funds to fight and find a cure for AIDS, being held June 11, 2005 in Tromso, Norway. (Likewise Mandela will deliver an urgent message to resolve the AIDS Pandemic to the leaders of the G8 Summit).
Twenty years ago in Reagan era America, we and the rest of the modern western world or “powers” as we often call them, were flush with living what we in the USA termed, the “American Dream”. Financial security, homeland safety, lifelong employment stability, corporate reliability and accountability that invested back to everyday tax paying, hard working, citizens, living a quiet, content life in our single family homes with a big yard and a friendly neighborhood. Rallying to Live Aid and the African Famine was the right thing to do for those less fortunate than us, for those that knew not of a safe, war free nation, much less food to eat.
But in this post 911 new millennium, for America and for much of the modern western nations, where massive unemployment and the implosion, collapse of the corporate infrastructure are rapidly spiraling downwards out of control, crime and drugs have taken the streets away from us and made us frightened prisoners in our own homes, and AIDS has become an International Pandemic engulfing the entire world….we realize that no one on this planet is immune or safe from poverty, war, terrorism, famine, disease. It’s here in our own homes, our own back yard. It’s no longer just an unknown face of a starving child seen via TV news footage, in a remote village on the other side of the world in some forgotten continent. It’s here at home in our shiny, capitalistic metropolis.
Bob Geldof was one of the first to open his eyes and heart to the world’s unjust horrors then. With Live Aid in 1985 and with his ongoing charity work and social activism through the ensuing years, he has continued to keep it in our mind’s eye and in our hearts as well. But now, those inhumane travesties that Geldof personally witnessed which seemingly existed only in Africa, are everywhere. From New York to Los Angeles, from London to Paris, from Toronto to Berlin, from Moscow to Tokyo.
G8 and Live Eight are the official wake up call to the entire world. No longer can we allow an event like Live Aid or Live Eight to remain a one off charity benefit event to temporarily salve the wound and ease our conscience. It’s time to create and structure a regular, concrete plan, a course of action, and view this as the beginning, the catalyst for an era where every human on this planet can live in a world without fear of war or terrorism, disease or hunger, but with peace, food, shelter, tolerance, and humanity.
Geldof is the rabble rousing rebel (and music maker), who never accepts defeat. I’ve read that whenever someone tells him that something cannot be done….his reply is always, “why”? Why, when this world has the resources, funds, technology, and humanity to make the impossible, possible. Bob Geldof PROVED that fact with Live Aid and the immense power of and difference that music can make, in impacting and calling people to arms to help solve the ills of the world. And so I am certain that he will do planet earth proud once again with Live Eight. Can we all, do the same?
By Arlene R. Weiss © Copyright May 11, 2005
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