Is That it? - Softcover

Bob Geldof

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0330442929 ISBN 13: 9780330442923

Publisher: Pan Macmillan, 2005

Synopsis

Bob Geldof formed Band Aid, orchestrated Live Aid, and is the driving force behind Live 8. He has rallied the forces of rock performers all over the world and inspired millions to raise millions for the starving in Africa. He has met with world leaders and demanded that they change their aid policies. He has travelled in Africa and seen famine first-hand, and he has overseen the disbursement of the millions that Band Aid has raised. In this vividly honest autobiography, written with wit, candour and characteristic energy, Geldof recounts his extraordinary childhood in Dublin and schooldays that were both horrifying and funny. He describes the origins of New Wave music and the beginnings, triumphs, and eventual eclipse of the Boomtown Rats. He writes of his years with Paula Yates, the formation of Band Aid and its achievements and he writes of his hopes for the future. Widely admired, Bob Geldof is nonetheless ferociously independent and remains the most charismatic and controversial public figure in Britain today. 'It's terrific sheer Geldof, direct, loud-mouthed, honest, button-holing, obscene, compassionate, compelling Everyone over thirteen should read it' Hunter Davies, Evening Standard 'He is funny, frank and often four-lettered - but never boring' Financial Times 'Plenty of bright, rebellious, style-setting, charismatic young men have swilled and fornicated, but not many of them have had the urge to kiss the wounded' Clive James, Observer '(It) shows that by a combination of charm, loquaciousness and irrevocable moral certainty, a wayward, catholic, hand-reared boy can shift the world on its axis' Sunday Times

About this title

About the Author

Bob Geldof is a musician. He was the leadsinger of The BoomTown Rats and has recorded four solo albums. In 2005, he received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the Brits. He is involved in television, radio and technology companies. In 1984 Geldof initiated Band Aid, a record for the victims of famine in Africa. The following year he organised the Live Aid concert while establishing and chairing the Trust which would administer the USD180,000,000 raised by the venture. Bob Geldof is currently part of the Prime Minister's Commission on Africa.

From Library Journal

Geldof wants us to know that although he may have been the organizational genius behind the humanitarian Live Aid concert, he's no saint. His autobiography is a self-deprecating, forthright, touching account of a rakehell's life transformed by zeal for the noblest of causes. Born in working class Dublin and raised in a punitive Catholic regimen, he early on rebelled, led a vagabond existence, flirting with sex, drugs, and suicide, and finally found his niche as lead singer for the New Wave band the Boomtown Rats. His career was given new meaning when, shocked by a TV story on the famine in Africa, he directed his charismatic energy toward relief for the Ethiopians. Manipulating his contacts in the music industry, he put together the greatest single conglomeration of talent in pop history. Geldof is living proof of rock music's highest potential. Highly recommended. Paul Feehan, Univ. of Miami Lib., Coral Gables, Fla.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Publication date: 2005
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0330442929
• ISBN 13: 9780330442923
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 448