Sir Bob Geldof is one of Dublin’s most famous musicians and political activists. He is most renowned for initiating the Live Aid project in 1984, a charity which aided victims of the Famine in Africa. He then went on to organise the Live 8 concerts in 2004, and in between his charity work also establish a number of successful enterprises.

His music career began in Canada when he worked as a music journalist for a weekly publication “The Georgia Straight”. On returning to Ireland he became the lead singer in a rock band named the “Boomtown Rats”. They gained their first number 1 single in 1978 with “Rat Trap” and it was little more than a year later in 1979 that the group shot to international fame with their second Number 1, “I don‘t like Monday’s”.

His charity involvement began in the early 1980s when he appeared in a concert for Amnesty International which planted the seed for his future humanitarian activities.

In 1984 Bob’s attention was drawn to the famine which was plaguing Ethiopia at the time and it was his idea to record and release the charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? which he co-wrote. The huge success of this project was the catalyst for the rock concert which followed in 1985, Live Aid which became the largest rock concert in the world. It was during these years that Bob became the celebrated global activist that we recognise today. Following these humanitarian efforts Bob was knighted, and shortly after this his autobiography released.

Bob continued his music career in the late 1980s and throughout this time he received various awards including Grammies, Ivor Novellos and Brits.

It was in the early 1990s that he established himself as an astute businessman co-owning the television production company Planet 24. He then ventured into the online travel booking industry and established the company deckchair.com which he later sold in 2001 for an estimated £17 million. He also went on to found a media, entertainment and marketing company called the Ten Alps Communications. A hugely successful organisation, he still retains an 8% share.

In 2004 Africa’s problems were again bought to Bob’s attention after a visit to Ethiopia with UNICEF. The result of this visit were the Live 8 concerts which he organised and took place in July, 1995.

In 2005 he was awarded the Nobel Man Of Peace Award alongside being nominated for the Nobel Peace Award. He was also awarded the Rose D’Or Charity Award and received a Brits lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution to music.

Testimonials

“Bob is a volcanic force of nature, a man who believes that life is short and the time for action shorter”
TIME MAGAZINE

“Bob Geldof is one of the most inspirational people of our time: his vision and indomitable spirit provides an example to millions worldwide”
SUSAN SANDERSON, PUBLISHER