Pass It On: Bob Geldof Kicked Off Sky News For Refusing Not To Repeat The Word “Bollocks”
He was promoting the brand new Band Aid 30 single, and wasn't having any of the criticism.
Bob Geldof is on the promo circuit this week, promoting the Band Aid 30 single ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas’, performed by Bono, One Direction, Chris Martin, Elbow, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sandé, Ellie Goulding, Seal, and a smorgasbord of other artists varying in artistic credibility.
With the single raising money for ebola victims, the Boomtown Rats star and activist appeared on Sky News to talk it up — where he was also asked to answer complaints about the wealthy tax dodgers among the lineup.
His response? “I think that they’re talking bollocks.”
Turning off his mic, the host asked him to refrain from that “pretty colourful language” and continued her line of questioning. Ian Birrell, co-founder of the Africa Express project, had called Band Aid 30 a “trite”, “patronising” song that perpetuated myths about Africa and ebola, was hurting more than it helped: “What would be your response to that?” she asked.
Bob Geldof stuck to his guns.
“Complete load of bollocks.”
“…And there we will leave it.”
There’s a few versions of the clip (this one includes the first part of the interview), but the one below comes with an excellent backing track, and is easily the best.
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This year’s single, which premiered yesterday on X Factor UK, is the fourth time the song has been recorded as a Band Aid single: there was the original in 1984 (raising money for famine relief); a second version in 1989 featuring Kylie Minogue; and the fairly horrific 20th anniversary special, featuring Robbie Williams, the Sugababes, and a novelty rap verse from Dizzee Rascal.
This version’s a whole lot more sombre than that one, but just as cloyingly earnest. It raised £1 million within minutes of the premiere.