Bob Geldof

Who is Bob Geldof?

Bob Geldof is an Irish singer-songwriter, musician, author, and political activist. He was born in Dublin in 1951 and rose to fame as the lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, a new wave band in the late 1970s. He is best known for his efforts in organizing the charity superconcerts Live Aid and Live 8, which aimed to raise awareness and funds to fight famine in Africa. Geldof has also been recognized for his philanthropic work and activism on a global scale, which has earned him numerous awards and honors.

Geldof's Career and Achievements

Geldof's music career spans over four decades, during which he has released numerous albums and singles both as a solo artist and with the Boomtown Rats. His hits include "I Don't Like Mondays," "Rat Trap," and "Banana Republic." In addition to his musical career, Geldof has also authored several books and served as a television presenter.

However, it is perhaps his humanitarian efforts for which Geldof is best known. His charity work began in earnest with Live Aid in 1985, a concert organized to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia. The event was a huge success, attracting 1.5 billion viewers worldwide and raising over £150 million. Geldof continued this work with Live 8, a series of concerts held in 2005 to coincide with the G8 summit in an attempt to put poverty at the top of the agenda. Geldof's contributions to the charity sector have been recognized with numerous awards, including a knighthood in 1986 and an honorary doctorate from Trinity College Dublin in 2006.