Bob Geldof
Robert Fredrick Zenon Geldof was born on the 5th October 1951. He is an Irish singer-songwriter, author, occasional actor and political activist. Geldof was educated at Blackrock College. He then went on to work as a slaughterman, a road navvy and a pea canner. Other work includes a musical journalist in Vancouver, British Columbia for Georgia Straight. He has also briefly guest hosted the CBC children programme Switchback. He rose to stardom as the lead singer of the Boomtown Rats in the late 1970s. The band had hits with the songs ‘Rat Trap’ and ‘I don’t like Mondays’. He was also responsible for co-writing the single ‘Do they know its Christmas?’ which is one of the bestselling singles of all time. He was also appointed an honorary knighthood by Queen Elisabeth II.
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Engagement in Cultural Diplomacy
Geldof’s first major charity involvement took place in September 1981 when he performed as a solo artist for [www.amnesty.org Amnesty Internationals] The Secret Policeman’s Other Ball. In 2004, along with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, he organised the Commission for Africa. This involved working with 16 other commissioners, the majority of whom were from Africa. The aim of the Commission was to take a yearlong study of Africa’s problems. The Commission concluded that Africa needed to change, to improve its governance whilst also tackling corruption and that the rich needed to take a more active role in bringing about change. Due to the lack of action from world leaders, Geldof went on to organise Live 8 in 2005 with the aim of increasing awareness of world poverty. He also called on world leaders to find solutions for helping the poorest countries.
Humanitarian Causes
In 1984 Geldof co-founded [www.band-aid.com/ Band Aid] in 1984 to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. In 1985 he went on to Organise Live Aid which was created in order to raise funds for famine relief. He organised Band Aid II in 1989. Geldoff supports a number of charities and foundations including [ejaf.org Elton John Aids Foundation], Make Poverty History, War Child and the One Campaign.
Further Information
Bob Geldof speaks on education for all children, New York, USA, 26th September 2008
