Band Aid 1984_ The Original Lineup

Band Aid 1984: The Original Lineup

The original Band Aid, formed in 1984, brought together a remarkable collection of British and Irish music stars to record the charity single ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” This collaborative effort, organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, featured some of the most prominent voices in pop and rock music of the era.

The primary lineup of singers for the 1984 Band Aid recording included:

Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats)

Midge Ure (Ultravox)

Phil Collins (Genesis)

Sting (The Police)

Bono (U2)

Paul Young

George Michael (Wham!)

Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)

Boy George (Culture Club)

Paul Weller (The Style Council)

John Taylor (Duran Duran)

Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)

Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17)

Marilyn

Keren Woodward (Bananarama)

Sara Dallin (Bananarama)

Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)

Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)

Jody Watley

Francis Rossi (Status Quo)

Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)

Additionally, several other artists contributed to the recording in various ways:

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David Bowie (recorded a spoken message)

Paul McCartney (recorded a spoken message)

Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)

Chris Cross (Ultravox)

John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)

Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)

Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)

Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)

Peter Briquette (The Boomtown Rats)

Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats)

Adam Clayton (U2)

The Edge (U2)

The track also featured production work by Trevor Horn and backing vocals from various other musicians present at the recording session. This gathering of musical talent was unprecedented at the time and contributed significantly to the single's massive success. ”Do They Know It's Christmas?” became the fastest-selling single in UK chart history upon its release, a record it held for 13 years.

The success of Band Aid 1984 not only raised substantial funds for famine relief in Ethiopia but also paved the way for future charitable music initiatives, including the Live Aid concert in 1985 and subsequent versions of Band Aid in later years. The original 1984 lineup remains an iconic representation of 1980s British and Irish pop music, united for a humanitarian cause.