Bob Geldof Pictures, Biography, Profile, Facts, Discography, Filmography, more.

Sir Bob Geldof has mobilized and united people across the world to help alleviate poverty, famine and genocide. Over the last 20 years he has raised millions of pounds and publicly campaigned on numerous issues. He has lobbied governments on and raised awareness of the need to cancel Third World Debt and is an advocate for the rights of fathers. Geldof formed the punk group Boomtown Rats in 1975. During the band's existence, it moved from the pure energy and aggression of hits like "Looking After No. 1" to the more sophisticated, but still provocative, "I Don't Like Mondays" (its title derived from the answer given by a San Diego schoolgirl when asked why she'd killed her classmates). The band became a moderate success in the U.K., though it never really broke through in the U.S.

Bob Geldof Biography:

Bob Geldof, KBE was born on October 5, 1951, he is an Irish singer, songwriter and humanitarian worker. He is of Irish and Belgian extraction.

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 one single with Rat Trap, and their follow-up, I Don't Like Mondays, was even more successful. 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 has had limited success as an actor, his most notable role being in the 1982 film of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

The Rats did not remain for long at the top of the tree, and by 1984 their career was on the wane. It was in November of that year that Geldof saw a BBC news report on the famine in Ethiopia and vowed to do something about it. Aware that he could do little on his own, he got together a group of friends, including Midge Ure (from the band Ultravox) who co-wrote with Geldof the song, "Do They Know It's Christmas". They then put together a group (Band Aid), consisting of leading rock musicians and released the single just before Christmas with the aim of raising money for famine relief. (The idea was copied worldwide, with the song 'We are the world', co-written by Michael Jackson, released in the United States, where it topped the charts.)

Not content with the enormous success of the single, Geldof went on to organise the massive charity concert Live Aid, which raised unprecedented sums for charity, and travelled all over the globe raising money. He even challenged Margaret Thatcher, then British prime minister, leading to a major reevaluation 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 commonly referred to as "Sir Bob Geldof", if not "Saint Bob".)

Geldof, along with U2's Bono, 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. His wife, Paula Yates, mother of their three daughters, left him for her lover, singer Michael Hutchence, by whom she had another child. Following Hutchence's suicide, Geldof went to court and obtained custody of the four daughters. Geldof's experiences during his divorce has led him to become an outspoken advocate of fathers' rights. After Yates' death, Geldof became the legal guardian of their (Hutchence and Yates') child, believing that she should be raised with her sisters.

He has continued to write, record, and perform music around the world as a solo artist. His best-known post-Live Aid song is probably "The Great Song of Indifference". He also appeared singing alongside David Gilmour in 2002. He is also profitably involved in business activities. He is rumoured to be considering seeking election to the office of President of Ireland in 2004.

In 2005 Geldof was featured in a BBC documentary called Grumpy Old Men. The show featured men of the baby boom era airing their grievances about life.

Notables:

The Boomtown Rats History

The Boomtown Rats (1975-1985) were a punk rock/New Wave group headed by Bob Geldof. Geldof was later known for organizing charity rock concerts such as Band Aid (intended to help famine victims in Ethiopia), Live Aid, Live 8, and Hands Across America (intended to help homeless people in America). Their greatest hit was "I Don't Like Mondays," which stayed at No. 1 in the UK charts for 4 weeks. It commemorated the 1979 school shooting by 16-year old Brenda Ann Spencer.

Formed in 1975 in guitarist Garry Roberts' kitchen in Dublin, they were so disorganized at first that Geldof began as the manager and Roberts was lead singer They quickly sorted out the long-lasting original lineup from a community of friends and distant relatives. No small amount of attention was focused on Geldof, already a controversial figure for the scathing wit of his rock criticism as an Irish correspondent for Melody Maker.

The Boomtown Rats Members: Lead singer Bob Geldof, Johnny Fingers on keyboards, guitarist Garry Roberts, bassist Pete Briquette, and drummer Simon Crowe.

The six future Rats left the unemployment lines in Dublin to enter the rock sweepstakes and had become a going concern on the Irish concert circuit by the time new wave came along. While the resulting upsurge in record-industry openness towards young, energetic bands undoubtedly helped them get a contract, it was clear from the start that the Rats were a different musical breed. Produced in Germany by pre-metal Mutt Lange, the first album is more tradition-minded than punky, but there's no mistaking the verve and independence which tied the Rats solidly to less accomplished, more enraged outfits. From the Springsteenish "Joey's on the Street Again" to the Dr. Feelgoody "Never Bite the Hand that Feeds" to a Mott the Hoople-styled ballad, "I Can Make It If You Can," and the album's sarcastic standout, "Lookin' After No. 1," the ambience is hip, but the rock is fairly routine. Geldof's incisive lyrics and the entire band's credible musicianship invest the stylistically diverse selections with character, making this a top-notch, timeless record.

They impulsively chose the name The Boomtown Rats for themselves, after Woody Guthrie's gang of down-and outsiders from his autobiography, Bound For Glory. The new Rats played sets for two to three hours at a clip, amusing themselves with their own versions of R&B hits and onstage pranks. It was their live performance that won them the attention of Nigel Grainge, who signed them to his London-based Ensign Records label. The Rats' future was to be in England.

They embarked on their first full-scale tour of England in the spring of 1977, including five dates with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Their first U.K. chart single came along in August, "Looking After No. l," the first socalled new-wave 45 to be playlisted by the BBC.

Their self-titled debut album was issued in November, along with another top-charted U.K. hit, "Mary Of The 4th Form" At year's end, and the LP won "Best Album of the Year" Around the corner in early '78 was a new single.

The stage was set for the release of "Rat Trap" in October, the first new-wave 45 to hit #1 on the British chart.

Geldof and Johnny Fingers agreed to a gruelling tour of radio stations across the country to boost the album's release as well as the U.S. issue of "Rat Trap".

By the time "I Don't Like Mondays" was introduced onstage in Loch Lomond, Scotland, the song had been transformed dramatically. Lt became the Rats' second #l million seller in England and was voted 1979s "Single of the Year" in the British Pop and Rock awards.

The release of The Fine Art Of Surfacing album (October '79, featuring "I Don't Like Mondays") was followed by the Rats' world tour of 1980, through Europe, America, the Far East, and Australia. For their next album, Mondo Bongo (January, 1979), the band worked with producer Tony Visconti and notched another U.K. hit with "Banana Republic ".

Visconti and The Rats recorded again in 1982: the release of V Deep in September coincided with the opening of "The Wall:' the full-length feature film based on the Pink Floyd album of the same name, with Geldof cast in the demanding role of Pink.

There followed something like a hiatus for The Boomtown Rats during 1983-'84, a period punctuated (for American audiences only) by a six-song EP compilation cleverly titled Ratrospective (March, 1983). If the truth be known (here and now, finally), the album known as In The Long Grass was recorded in '83 and planned for release in the first months of '84.

In the meanwhile, we have Bob Geldof viewing a BBC broadcast documenting the devastation of drought-ridden Ethiopia and East Africa. It was November, 1984, and his immediate reaction was to organize nearly 40 of Britain's pop peerage into the recording troupe known as Band Aid.

The Live Aid concert

Using 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 in June 1985. He travelled to many places, raising money. He even challenged Margaret Thatcher, leading to a major re-evaluation of British government policy towards famine relief.

Geldof has received many awards for this work, including an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II. As he is not a British or Commonwealth citizen, Geldof is precluded from using the title "Sir". Regardless, the nickname "Sir Bob" has stuck, and even media reports will frequently refer to him as "Sir Bob Geldof". On July 7 2005, Geldof was nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize because of his dedication to fight poverty and AIDS in Africa.

Today Geldof works closely with DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), an organization founded by U2's Bono to advocate for Africa.

The Live 8 concerts

On March 31, 2005 Geldof announced the Live 8 project to raise awareness of issues that he claims burden Africa, such as government debt, trade barriers, and AIDS issues. Geldof organised 5 concerts on Saturday July 2, 2005; in London with Elton John, Madonna, Paul McCartney; another in Paris with Andrea Bocelli, Youssou N'Dour; in Rome with Duran Duran, Faith Hill; in Berlin with Brian Wilson, Crosby Stills & Nash; and, in Philadelphia with 50 Cent, Dave Matthews, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Wonder and Barrie with Neil Young, the Barenaked Ladies, Bryan Adams, Deep Purple, Gordon Lightfoot and the Tragically Hip. The seminal rock band Pink Floyd also performed together in London, in its classic lineup, for the first time since 1981.

The shows are free, and are scheduled just days before world leaders gather in Scotland for the G8 economic summit, on July 6.

"The boys and girls with guitars will finally get to turn the world on its axis," Geldof said in a statement. Geldof has received a lot of criticism for his approach.

Criticism of Live 8

Some claimed that Live 8 is more about rehabilitating the careers of aging rock stars, including Geldof himself, than it is about the poor people of Africa. There were no African or black artists scheduled to play until criticism forced Geldof to change the line/ups in some of the concerts. However Geldof supporters argue that the concert was about capturing attention for the issue of justice for Africa in the run-up to the G8 meeting. Therefore needed to use established names and artists, rather than artists who would be unknown. It was further argued that because there was little public interest in African music among the concert's target markets in Europe and the United States, including African artists at the expense of recognised artists, would have proved counterproductive and undermined the effect of the concert.

There are also accusations that Live 8 gave unflinching support to Tony Blair's and Gordon Brown's personal and political agendas. This led to accusations that Geldof had compromised his cause, and several charites and NGO's asked Geldof to remove himself from the Make Poverty History campaign.

In contrast with the media support given to Live Aid, Live 8 was subject to considerable media criticism in some quarters.

Bob Geldof Trivia / Timeline:

Is left-handed. Plays guitar with strings strung for a right-handed player (he forms chords backwards because of this.

Was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his continuing efforts to eradicate world hunger sparked by his creation of Live Aid.

Organized the "Live Aid" concert that was held in July of 1985 after seeing a BBC documentary on Ethiopia. He flew to Ethiopia, finding the worst living conditions, and children starving. Wrote the song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for the children of Ethiopia. The Live Aid concert was held at Wembley Stadium in the UK and JFK Stadium in Philidelphia, raising millions for Ethiopia.

Geldof and Yates had three daughters - Fifi Trixiebelle (b. 1983), Peaches (b. 1990), and Pixie (b. 1991) - who live with custodial parent Geldof.

He has performed with the SAS (Spike Edney's All Stars) Band.

Is often referred to, and credited - incorrectly - as Sir Bob Geldof. While indeed he was awarded a K.B.E. (Knight of the order of the British Empire) by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II, as he is an Irish citizen the award was honorary and he cannot be referred to as 'Sir'. Instead he is more correctly addressed as Robert (or Bob) Geldof K.B.E.

He has custody of Tiger Lily Hutchence-Yates, the daughter of his late ex-wife Paula Yates and Australian singer Michael Hutchence.

Bob Geldof Discography:

Bob Geldof Solo Discography:

Sex, Age & Death (2001)

The Happy Club (1992)

The Vegetarians of Love (1990)

Deep In the Heart of Nowhere (1986)

Bob Geldof Solo & The Boomtown Rats:

Loudmouth : The Best of..(1994)

Boomtown Rats Discography:

The Best of The Boomtown Rats (2003)

In the Long Grass (1984)

V Deep (1982)

Mondo Bongo (1980)

The Fine Art of Surfacing (1979)

Tonic for the Troops (1978)

The Boomtown Rats (1977)

DVD:

The Boomtown Rats : Someone's Looking at You (2005)

The Boomtown Rats: Live At the Hammersmith Odeon 1978 (2005)

Bob Geldof Quotes:

"Ever since its launch 20 years ago, Band Aid has had a huge impact, raising the plight of the world's poorest and raising funds to help them. More than that, Band Aid has won millions to the cause of fighting global poverty."

It's really very simple, Governor. When people are hungry they die. So spare me your politics and tell me what you need and how you're going to get it to these people.

About different motivations for taking up causes: "Bono as we all know, is in love with the world, he's enamoured by it. I'm enraged by it. He wants to give the world a great big hug, I want to punch its lights out."

"It went beyond idealism and that ridiculous term activism, which basically means talking about something but doing nothing. We made giving exciting."

About his foster daughter Tiger Lily, the daughter of Paula Yates and Michael Hutchence: "She calls me Dad. We were shopping the other day and they played one of my songs then one of her dad's. She said, 'That's you, Dad.' Then she said, 'That's my real dad. My real dad's a better singer than you, Dad." I just said: 'Sheesh... Thanks."

Everything that's rock n roll is ever meant to be is happening now. I need to get over the shock that that thing is actually happening and that thousands of millions of people around the world are watching.

Bob Geldof Filmography:

As Composer:

Rat (2000)

Pavarotti & Friends (1992) (TV) (song "Room 19")

Comic Relief (1986/II) (TV) (song "Feed the World")

... aka The Utterly Utterly Rude Video Live (UK: video title)

Live Aid (1985) (TV) (song "Do They Know It's Christmas")

As Actor:

The Old Fools (2002) (voice)

Spice World (1997) .... Himself

Number One (1985) (TV) .... Harry 'Flash' Gordon

Pink Floyd The Wall (1982) .... Pink ... aka The Wall