On Oct. 23, 1984, Bob Geldof, the lead singer of the Irish rock band the Boomtown Rats, sat down at home in London to watch the evening news. It changed his life — and saved the lives of millions more. The BBC ran a report on what it called a “biblical famine” in Ethiopia caused by drought and exacerbated by civil war. Geldof was incensed and horrified. How could this be happening in the 20th century? And what could he, an angry pop star, do about it?

The Irish bandleader and political activist who organized Live Aid and Live 8 in Philly is being honored by the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame this week. On Wednesday, Geldof will be feted for his efforts by the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame at a gala at Vie on North Broad Street that will also honor Schoolly D, David Dye, Janis Ian, Stephen Sondheim, David Serkin Ludwig, the Settlement Music School, and the Orlons, plus singing Eagle Jordan Mailata, and three Philly jazz clubs.

The Irish musician and activist Bob Geldof is perhaps best known as one of the organizers of Live Aid, the massive two-venue benefit concert that raised millions for famine relief in Ethiopia in 1985.Some of the biggest artists and bands of all time came together for that concert, including Paul McCartney, Queen, Madonna, Elton John and David Bowie. But how exactly did Geldof convince them all to give up their time for free on the same day ?

“Just For One Day” draws on a fictionalized version of the story behind Live Aid, a cultural moment that unfolded on July 13, 1985, when Madonna, Queen, Elton John and other major acts performed to help raise funds and fight famine in Ethiopia. [...] Bob Geldof doesn’t think Live Aid — or a global benefit concert of its size — could have the same impact today that it once did, but he hopes a new musical attached to his name might inspire younger people to take his lead in making a difference.

The two-part documentary will be an account of the story behind the recording of Do They Know It’s Christmas from those who were there in 1984, and will look at the legacy of the song and how it continues to save African lives four decades later. Reflecting on Band Aid’s cultural impact, Band Aid at 40 will feature never-aired-before footage and access from those who masterminded the landmark single, from the high profile singers to those behind the scenes, who were the beating heart behind the landmark track. It will feature brand new interviews with, among others, Bob Geldof.

Bob Geldof has hinted a 40th anniversary release of Band Aid's Do They Know It's Christmas? could be on the way. 2024 marks 40 years since The Boomtown Rats' frontman Bob Geldof and Ultravox's Midge Ure first enlisted a star-studded supergroup for the charity song; which went on to become 1984's Official Christmas Number 1 single and raise millions for the famine relief effort in Ethiopia.