On November 25^{th 1984   Bob} Geldof and Midge Ure put together the greatest names in contempory pop to make a record to raise money for starving Ethiopians. Band Aid went on to be the biggest selling single of all time, (although this was later surpassed by Elton John’s tribute to Princess Dianna, Candle in the wind ’97).

In todays technological age is hard to appreciate the enormity of what the record meant to music fans. As a 13 year old boy I vividly remember the excitement of seeing so many world renowned artists in one place. In 1984 CD’s were a thing of the future and downloads were unheard of. Do they know it’s Christmas was produced on vinyl and if you wanted a copy the option was to go to a shop and buy it.

Never before had so many famous singers appeared on one record. Considering that there were no texts or emails, no mobile phones or skype, just the telephone – just contacting those involved must have been a huge effort. Bob Geldof managed it through pure grit and determination forcing almost every living artist of the time to turn up. This was no ordinary super group either. The performers were not of a single genre but consisted of almost every ones favourite, what-ever your taste. My sister and I thought we were rebelling by being U2 fans and were delighted to see them turn up and sing on the track.

Some of those involved were U2, Phil Collins, Paul Young, Simon Lebon, Paul Weller, George Michael, Boy George and Sting, even Paul McCartney showed up. Almost all of those involved performed the record live on BBC’s Christmas top of the pops, which at that time was almost as big as the Queens speech for anybody under the age of 18. I still recall listening in awe to the B side where the likes of Bono had recorded a “merry Christmas and a happy new year “ message.

Such was the success of the record that the following year the biggest free concert ever seen was performed at London’s Wembley Stadium. The concert was broadcast live and ran simultaneously with a similar event in Philadelphia USA.

The Queen set is still considered by many as the greatest live performance ever, with Freddy Mercury leading over 72,000 fans in singing Bohemian Rhapsody, we are the champions and memorably Radio Ga Ga, where it seems every single person in the crowd joined in with the hand clap.

5 years later they did it again with considerably less success as the likes of Bros, Kylie Minogue, Cliff Richard and Jason Donavan tried to repeat the act assisted by popular producers Stock, Aitkin and Waterman.

To mark the 20^th anniversary of the original track the ensemble was re-gathered, this time including Robbie Williams (via satellite from LA), Will Young, Dido, Busted and Bono once again made a guest appearance.

Now Sir Bob Geldof has put together todays biggest stars, one direction, Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Olly Murrs and Bono. All the stars involved gave their time and sang a new version of the original to raise money for the Ebola virus in West Africa.

In April this year, Sir Bob’s daughter, Peaches Geldof died of a heroin overdose. Her mum Paula Yates died in September 2000 on the 10^th birthday of daughter Pixie. Yates youngest daughter,  Tiger lily who she gave birth to after a relationship with INXS frontman Michael Hutchins before his death, was taken on and brought up by Sir Bob.

Despite the man’s saintly nature and undoubtable best intentions, many people have criticised Band Aid 30. They have claimed there are better ways to give money and condemned the likes of Bono for not paying taxes. Others have called the record patronising for its lyrics.

These people are missing the point. The record will give the chance of life to many Africans. More than that they are giving millions of music fans the opportunity to see the biggest super group they have ever heard of. We have become such a bitter and miserable nation that we would rather just hand over our coppers for nothing than celebrate an event. To many people of my age, Live Aid was our Kennedy shooting. Ask any 40 something where they watched live aid and most will be able to tell you.

Yes, people need to pay their dues. Yes the rich and famous should pay more than the rest of us but for Gods sake stop politicising every single act of kindness and accept it for what it is, a song!