Geldof, Bob

Bob Geldof, frontman, singer, songwriter and activist for social justice and humanitarian causes.

Born in Dublin in 1951, Bob Geldof gained fame in the 1970s as the lead singer in the band The Boomtown Rats. The band had a series of hits in Ireland and the UK with songs such as 'Rat Trap', 'I Don't Like Mondays' and 'Banana Republic'.

Bob Geldof went on to be recognised for his political and humanitarian activism and charity fundraising. In 1984, along with fellow musician Midge Ure, he spearheaded Band-Aid, a music supergroup, established to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. This involved the release of a charity single 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in December 1984 followed by the Live Aid concerts in July 1985. The Live Aid concerts were held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London and at John F Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. They were broadcast live on television around the globe achieving an estimated audience of 1.9 billion people. His work gained him international recognition; in 1986 he received a Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.

He continued to be involved in various charitable causes including campaigns to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS. He also remains active in the music industry releasing solo albums and reuniting with The Boomtown Rats.

Throughout his career, Bob Geldof has appeared on RTÉ television and radio to perform his music and promote and advocate for various humanitarian causes.