Sir Bob Geldof has told the Canadian press that he is creating a new version of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the hit charity single this Christmas.
The much-anticipated supercut of the famous charity single, which raised funds to fight the famine in Ethiopia, would aim to blend the vocals of the many pop stars who have recorded the song over the decades, and will be produced by British record producer Trevor Horn.
Geldof told The Canadian Press, “Maybe put Harry Styles beside a young Bono. Just sonically, you mess up these generations all in one take.”
The December 1984 hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, and featured pop and rock icons including George Michael, Paul Young, and Sting.
Other versions recorded in 2004 and 2014 featured stars including Chris Martin of Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Sinéad O’Connor.
Virgin Radio in the UK is also planning a new two-part documentary about Band Aid at 40, to celebrate the milestone, with exclusive access to Band Aid’s archive and the multi-track recordings from the biggest moment in British pop music history.
In the wake of the hit song from Band Aid in 1984, the epic Live Aid concert fundraiser took place the following year on 13 July 1985 – meaning that next year is also the 40th anniversary of Live Aid.
Chief amongst the projects to celebrate Live Aid’s 40th is Just For One Day, the major new musical staged at The Old Vic in London earlier this year, and set for a North American premiere at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre in Toronto, Canada from 28 January to 16 March 2025.
Just For One Day, which has a book by John O’Farrell and is directed by Luke Sheppard (& Juliet, Starlight Express), was also announced as coming to the West End, although no further details on dates or venue have been revealed.
A new, four episode Live Aid TV documentary is also in the works.
More about tickets to Just For One Day in London
UPDATES: First published 1 May 2024; Updated 7 August 2024 with news of the Virgin Radio documentary
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