Bob Geldof recalls being starstruck after sweet phone call from Michael Jackson
dailystar.co.ukBob Geldof has revealed that he was left starstruck after receiving a surprise phone call from Michael Jackson and Harry Belefonte, inviting him to record a charity single with huge stars including Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder.
Boomtown Rats singer Bob shared the story behind Band Aid at an In Conversation Event, celebrating Live Aid and 100 years of the BBC, as part of the BFI and Radio Times TV Festival on May 20, 2022.Speaking at the event, Bob revealed that he could not believe it when he received a phone call from some of the biggest stars of the decade inviting him to the recording of the USA for Africa Charity single We Are The World in 1985, following the success of Band Aid's Do they Know It's Christmas a few months earlier.
Bob said that TV host Harry Belefonte was "a huge hero", and could not believe it when he heard his voice say on the phone: "'Are you Bob Geldof?' and I'm like, 'yeah I am, hi Harry'.""He goes, 'I got Michael here'," with Bob explaining that after Michael Jackson picked up the phone to talk to him, he mouthed in surprise to partner Paula Yates: "It's Michael Jackson."Bob added: "He [Michael Jackson] goes, 'yeah me and Lionel [Richie] we've written this song and we'd love you to come and do it with us.' So that was USA for Africa."USA For Africa is one of the biggest selling singles of all time in the world and featured some of the world's biggest stars including Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Steve Perry and Daryl Hall and John Oates.The single was also produced by award winner Quincy Jones, with Bob saying at the recording of the song: "I go into this room and there's Quincy. "There's no musician who if Quincy calls, they're not immediately there.
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