Sir Bob Geldof is never happier than when he’s haranguing world leaders.
Sir Bob Geldof is never happier than when he’s haranguing world leaders.But as the rocker-turned-activist showcased his first new tunes in almost ten years at a studio, he is suddenly not the cocky campaigner of old.
He said nervously, “I’m not sure I have music fans.
“The last people think about me unfortunately is about the songs.
“It’s very hard to get past the baggage of me.”
The former Boomtown Rats rocker, who hit No1 in 1979 with I Don’t Like Mondays, has not even had his kids to rely on for support in the past, admitting they find his music “crap” and him an “embarrassment”.
But Bob says Peaches and co have now grown up and appreciate his new disc, which is titled How To Compose Popular Songs That Will Sell.
He said, “I forced them to sit in the car and turned it on extremely loud.
“They were all crammed in and I said, ‘Shut up and listen to this.’
“They are old enough to say, ‘That’s a good one, you sing well on this.’ It was good.
“They won’t ask for a copy but they’re getting one.”
The silver-haired icon is well aware it’s tough making an impact and competing in today’s competitive music climate.
However, as the album’s title suggests, Bob is keen for the disc to do well.
He said, “Would I love it if millions of people bought it?
“Yes, not for money but I think the songs and band are great. It’s much more fun than the Rats days.”
He added, “If you really want to be in the game you have to do an album every two months. I’m not going to write records that mean nothing to me.
“I know that sounds wanky but I wrote this album because I suddenly felt like it.
“I am lucky because I am able to do it that way.”
Bob even compared the experience to going to the toilet, “It’s like the urge to pee. You don’t want to pee, but then suddenly the urge is so big you have to go. That’s what it’s like.”
He’s best known for his tireless battle against global poverty, which memorably resulted in No1 single Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid in 1984 and the following year’s giant Live Aid shows.
He also spearheaded follow-up extravaganza Live 8 in 2005.
But Bob has ruled out putting together another such event.
He quipped, “No, no more Live Aid. No need.
“It was creating political lobbies. I see it as a means to a political end. It shouldn’t need to be re-achieved.”
by Wallace McTavish
