Politicians 'pathetic' on Africa - Geldof
Bob Geldof today branded politicians “pathetic” for failing to react to the problems of Africa.
Promoting the Live Aid DVD in New York, the former Boomtown Rats singer said he was staggered that it took rock stars to get world leaders to act.
“I think it’s pathetic that some people get up on stage in front of 80,000 people and can help create policy,” he said.
“That’s not the way the world should work, politics should get real and serious and address the issues.”
Geldof was speaking a day after millions of viewers across Britain tuned in to watch an unprecedented cross-channel TV broadcast of the new Band Aid video.
He said he was “open to persuasion” on the issue of doing another Live Aid concert.
But he asked: “Would it have the cultural resonance? Will it resonate down the years so it finishes up outside the Oval Office or Downing Street? If it doesn’t, what’s the point?”
Geldof implored politicians to act to stamp out famine and hunger in Africa.
“Doing something on this politically where is the down side? It buys you influence, it makes great allies, it makes your constituents at home feel good about themselves,” he said.
“I’m a pop singer. If I can see that this is bonkers why can no one else?”
Holding aloft the Live Aid DVD he said: “So all this can change – buy this.”
He also appealed to people not to download the concert from the internet.
Instead pay for the DVD and help the charities it supports, he said.
“When they download this, as corny as it sounds, you might as well literally pull that bit of food out of the hungry child’s mouth,” he said.
Last night, millions of TV viewers across Britain tuned in to to watch the Band Aid 20 new video.
The film, to accompany the Band Aid 20 charity single, was screened across all five terrestrial networks and more than 20 cable and satellite channels.
It is thought to be one of the only occasions every major channel has screened the same material, an honour not even accorded to the Queen’s Speech.
The moving video features images from the recording of the charity single in London and news footage of famine in Africa.
Pop stars involved in the project were seen weeping as they watched images of suffering on the continent in a music studio ahead of the single’s recording on Saturday.
US star Madonna, who performed at the original Band Aid concert, introduced the broadcast, imploring viewers to “feed the world“.
Over images of children ravaged by hunger, she said: “Once again, here we are 20 years later. More people die of hunger in Africa than war and Aids put together.
“In a world of plenty, it is hard to imagine that most African children will go tobed tonight hungry.
“Bob Geldof and his friends are here to remind you that we can never forget. Not ever. Feed the world. I am honoured to introduce Band Aid 20.”
The single, an update of 1984’s Do They Know It’s Christmas, features a host of pop stars including Coldplay’s Chris Martin, Dido and Robbie Williams, who sing the opening of the song.
U2 frontman Bono reprises his famous “And tonight thank God it’s them instead of you” line from two decades ago.
Others including The Sugababes, Fran Healy from Travis, Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, Will Young, Jamelia, Ms Dynamite Joss Stone also feature.
The video also offers viewers a chance to see the musicians who don’t sing on the record, including Sir Paul McCartney playing bass, Radiohead’s Thom Yorke on piano and Danny Goffey of Supergrass on drums.
Blur’s Damon Albarn is seen serving tea to his fellow singers.
The new single will be in the shops on November 29 and has long been tipped as the seasonal Number One.
It is also available to download from today and will be launched as a charity ringtone on Monday.
