The Boomtown Rats Artistfacts

The Boomtown Rats song list

The Boomtown Rats Artistfacts

1975-1984
Bob GeldofVocals
Johnny FingersKeyboards, vocals
Gerry RobertsGuitar, vocals
Gerry CottGuitar
Pete BriquetteBass
Simon CroweDrums, vocals
Boomtown Rats frontman Bob Geldof organized Band Aid and Live Aid, which went to help victims of famine in Africa.
Geldof starred in the 1982 Pink Floyd movie The Wall, which is based on the classic concept album of the same name. Geldof plays the lead character, Pink.
Geldof, because he is Irish and therefore cannot receive a knighthood, received a KBE, which is equivalent. He is popularly known as Sir or Saint Bob.
Paula Yates, who died in 2000 and had an affair with Michael Hutchince from INXS at the time of his death, was married to Geldof from 1986-1996.
The Boomtown Rats formed in 1975. Speaking in an interview with Michael Parkinson, Bob Geldof recalled their first gig:

"We were rehearsing, making a racket - a good racket - and then Jerry, the guitar player, came in and said, 'I've got us a gig.' I was pretty scared because, to me, this was just a bit of fun. I asked, 'How much?' and he said, '30 quid.' I thought he must be joking, so I said, 'Make it 60.' The next day, he came back and said, 'They agreed.' So, I was committed.

When we showed up, we didn't know how long to play, so we learned about three hours' worth of material. We'd come up with the name The Nightlife Thugs, thinking a band's name should make a statement before people even heard us. But I'd also been reading Woody Guthrie's Bound for Glory, and there was a bit where, at 11, he was in a gang called the Boomtown Rats. That stuck with me.

For our first number, I had my hat, scarf, and coat on, but it started as a disaster - the guitarist forgot the opening riff, and we just stood there. I turned my back to the audience, feeling the tension, and then we heard clapping. I turned back around, took off the hat, scarf, and coat, and the crowd was with us. After an hour and 15 minutes, we took our first break. It was surreal."
Geldof lost his mother when he was 7. Her passing shaped his personality, leaving a lasting sense of melancholy and independence as he grew up largely on his own. He attributes his unconventional fashion sense to growing up without close guidance on appearance.
Geldof credits his outspoken nature to his Irish heritage and his disdain for complacency. He shares his willingness to speak up against what he feels is wrong, even when facing powerful figures.
Geldof has mixed feelings about fame, notably from his "St. Bob" nickname, which he says once led to strangers approaching him like a saint. This unusual public perception made him uneasy, revealing a disconnect between his public and personal identities.

Comments: 7

Graham from Preston, United KingdomGeorge, Grimsby England.

What you have written is 100% accurate as I heard Bob Geldof confirm it himself when he was on "this is your life". Similarly, Bad Manners had to change their name too as their record company took offence when they called themselves The Sheet Starchers!

Graham, Preston England
Draco from Perth, AustraliaGeldof is not entitled to call himself "sir" because he isnt an English citizen, however considering his KBE status and his huge humanitarian work I dont think it really matters what he calls himself.
Racine from Truro, MaHas anyone read "Is That It?" Best Book Ever!
George from Grimsby, EnglandI beleive Boomtown rats were originally called mark Skid & the Y Fronts. because record companies would not sign them up under this name they became the group we all 'know and love'. Is there anyone out there who can confirm this for me?
Tom from Trowbridge, EnglandI don't think he's ever been called 'Sir' Bob Geldof.
Ariel from Woodbridge, Ctyeah, non british knights can only put KBE at the end of there name
like Steven Spielberg, KBE
Emery from London, EnglandBob Geldof doesn't have a full British knighthood, only an honorary one because he is an Irish citizen. I'm not sure whether he's entitled to call himself Sir Bob or not.

see more comments

More Songfacts:

Tainted LoveSoft Cell

"Tainted Love" started as a 1964 soul song by Gloria Jones, became a huge hit when Soft Cell covered it in 1981, and was the basis for Rihanna's 2006 #1 "S.O.S. (Rescue Me)."

DowntownPetula Clark

When Petula Clark reached #1 in the US with "Downtown" in 1965, she became the first female singer from England to hit #1 in the US during the Rock Era (after 1955).

25 Or 6 To 4Chicago

The title "25 Or 6 To 4" by Chicago refers to the time it was written: either 25 minutes to 4 (3:35) or 26 (3:34).

Theme From Mission: ImpossibleLalo Schifrin

The Mission: Impossible theme is in 5/4 time. Composer Lalo Schifrin joked that he did it so 5-legged aliens could dance to it.

Crazy In LoveBeyoncé

Jay-Z did the rap on Beyoncé's "Crazy In Love" at the last minute. They had just started dating; she asked him to feature on the track the night before she had to turn in her album.