Bob Geldof

Q1: Where did you first hear about the famine? 

 

A1: I first heard about the famine on the television.

I was watching BBC when I saw images of the famine

and catastrophic disaster that was happening in the African nation of Ethiopia.

I decided I needed to do something about it.

Immediately an idea struck me, like a lightning bolt to the head.

 I was going to start a concert to help the people of Ethiopia. 

 

Q2: Did you expect the concert to blow up? 

 

A2: At first I was ridiculed by some people who I pitched the idea to

and I doubted myself but as soon as I gathered the group of performers

and we were ready I felt on top of the world

and I was ready for the concert and anything that stood in the way of it. 

 

Q3: How did you come up with the idea of live aid? 

 

A3: When I visited Ethiopia I saw the damage of the famine first hand and I knew I had to do something special not just a fundraiser where I sat around and waited for the money to pour in. As I was a musician I thought it would be a good idea to make a concert to raise money. 

 

Q4: What would you have done if your idea hadn't succeeded? 

 

A4: I feel very passionate about this cause so I would have kept on pushing for the concert to happen and if the artists did not agree than I'd perform the whole thing with the Boomtown Rats. It may not attract as many people as the star studded lineup we had at Wembley but it sure would raise at least a few million to help the famine struck country of Ethiopia. 

 

Q5: Did anyone inspire you to do a fundraiser like this? 

 

A5: Paula Yates my late wife inspired and helped me drive the whole thing. She came up with the idea after I told her about my visit to Ethiopia. She said it was only right for the fundraiser to be a concert because it would be more fitting to me and I had the connections to pull it off. 

 

Q6: How did you feel after you realized you had a big impact on the lives of the people in Ethiopia? 

 

A6: I felt great and like nothing could stop me. 127 million dollars would go towards food, water and homes for the famine struck people of Africa. We had only a year to prepare but we still packed a punch and set up the biggest and best concert the world has ever seen. I hope that with our support Ethiopia and its people can get through this rough patch of life.