Annie Lennox was due to record for Band Aid but on the day of recording was unwell. On the first pressing of the single, Annie Lennox is actually credited, along with a numbered silhouette of the band.
Band Aid is a charity supergroup formed in 1984 by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise money for anti-famine efforts in Ethiopia. The group featured mainly British and Irish musicians and recording artists. The idea for Band Aid was sparked by Geldof's reaction to a BBC report on the Ethiopian famine, which deeply moved him. He enlisted the help of Ure to produce a charity single, "Do They Know It's Christmas?".
The song was recorded on 25 November 1984 at Sarm West Studios in Notting Hill, London, and released in the UK on 3 December 1984. It quickly became the Christmas number one, surpassing the producers' expectations. The single's success led to three re-recordings: Band Aid II in 1989, Band Aid 20 in 2004, and Band Aid 30 in 2014, all of which topped the charts.
The original Band Aid lineup included prominent artists such as Bono, George Michael, David Bowie, Boy George, and Sting. The supergroup's name symbolized the musicians' efforts to provide aid to the less fortunate, akin to putting a Band-Aid on a wound. The project raised significant funds and awareness for the Ethiopian famine, inspiring similar initiatives worldwide.
Band Aid's impact extended beyond the music industry, influencing global humanitarian efforts and leading to the creation of Live Aid in 1985, a massive benefit concert that further raised funds for famine relief. The legacy of Band Aid continues to inspire charitable projects and collaborations among artists.
