Stars record Band Aid song for Ebola

November 15, 2014 5:27 pm 0 comments Views: 5
British singer Rita Ora arrives at a west London studio to record the new Band Aid 30 sin

British singer Rita Ora arrives at a west London studio to record the new Band Aid 30 single. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

BOB Geldof, One Direction, Bono and some 30 other stars have gathered in London to record a 30th anniversary version of the Band Aid charity single to raise money to fight Ebola.

Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sinead O’Connor were also among the rockers brought together by Geldof to sing the fourth version of Do They Know It’s Christmas?

Inspiration ... Irish musician Bob Geldof arrives at a west London studio. Picture: AFP P

Inspiration … Irish musician Bob Geldof arrives at a west London studio. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

Musicians began arriving in the early morning and were expected to record all day and into the night before the single is aired for the first time on Sunday and released on Monday.

Next to her ... British singer Emeli Sande is going through a painful divorce but she sho

Next to her … British singer Emeli Sande is going through a painful divorce but she showed up as well. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

Geldof told reporters and fans outside the Sarm Studios in Notting Hill that owning the single would be “a badge of honour” to support efforts against the virus and he urged people to buy it “whether you like it or not”.

Lending vocals ... British singer and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is contributing. Pic

Lending vocals … British singer and Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is contributing. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

As he arrived, DJ Nick Grimshaw said: “It’s pretty amazing that he managed to get pop stars out of their beds at eight o’clock on a Saturday morning!”

One Direction’s Niall Horan said it was a “privilege” to take part.

Finding direction ... British singer-songwriter Liam Payne of boy band One Direction arri

Finding direction … British singer-songwriter Liam Payne of boy band One Direction arrives at a west London studio. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

“Hopefully we’ll get to number one and raise a lot of money for a really good cause,” he said.

The song became one of the world’s biggest-selling singles ever after its release in 1984 to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Naturally, Bono was there ... U2 frontman Bono arrives at a west London studio to record

Naturally, Bono was there … U2 frontman Bono arrives at a west London studio to record the new Band Aid 30 single. Picture: AFP PHOTO / ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

“I had to change the lyrics,” Geldof said.

The rocker-turned-activist said he had been spurred into action by a call from the United Nations, concerned about not having the funds to combat the epidemic.

Girl power ... British singer Ellie Goulding arrives at a west London studio. Picture: AF

Girl power … British singer Ellie Goulding arrives at a west London studio. Picture: AFP PHOTO /ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

“I hate that aspect of it that lovers can’t hold each other in their last moments, that husbands can’t comfort their wives, that parents can’t comfort their children,” Geldof said.

He’s the Voice ... British singer Seal (L) arrives to record the Band Aid 30 single. Pict

He’s the Voice … British singer Seal (L) arrives to record the Band Aid 30 single. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

The second and third verses of the song contain new lyrics referring to the risks of cross-infection from comforting Ebola victims.

Gotta have Faith ... British singer Paloma Faith is on board as well. Picture: AFP PHOTO/

Gotta have Faith … British singer Paloma Faith is on board as well. Picture: AFP PHOTO/ANDREW COWIE
Source: AFP

www.news.com.au/entertainment/music

Leave a Reply