And one that is answered about every 6 months.
Several years ago, someone on QZ (I forget the name) was in contact with Midge Ure and asked him. He replied that no one thought to ask the band to join.
I always suspected that it Queen were part of the old guard while Band Aid was more of a up-and-coming thing. Yes, there were older musicians on it, but not too many of Queen contemporaries were involved.
...and keep in mind that by the time Band Aid recorded their single in late 1984 they (Queen) had just returned home from their highly criticised "Sun City"-concerts and repercussions of their South African concerts (remember apartheid?) continued to plague the band in the public and within the music industry...
I thought I read somewhere that Queen was on tour and not around when Band Aid was made. Thus Freddie felt it was very important to play Live Aid. But I only very very vaguely remember this.
Zeni wrote: And one that is answered about every 6 months.
Several years ago, someone on QZ (I forget the name) was in contact with Midge Ure and asked him. He replied that no one thought to ask the band to join.
I always suspected that it Queen were part of the old guard while Band Aid was more of a up-and-coming thing. Yes, there were older musicians on it, but not too many of Queen contemporaries were involved.
Sounds right too. Think about it..all the "classic rockers" who performed AT Live Aid, were NOT on the Band Aid record...The Who, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, Brian Ferry...so Queen fell into that same ctaegory...and like all these other classic rockers...DID perform at Live Aid.
The artists on the Band Aid record were all (with the exception of maybe David Bowie), young, contemporary artists that would appeal to the target record buying youth demographic, and all had hit records of their own in the charts (Culture Club, Duran Duran, Paul Young, Bono, I think Bananarama, Spandua Ballet, etc.)
I think McCartney played bass on the record didn't he?
I think Queen were touring at the time, and Sun city probably played a part like someone said.
although geldof phoned Boy George who was in New York and got him up and got him to fly over on the earliest concorde to record his bit, so it might well have been a "young performers" record
Oberon wrote: I think McCartney played bass on the record didn't he?
I think Queen were touring at the time, and Sun city probably played a part like someone said.
although geldof phoned Boy George who was in New York and got him up and got him to fly over on the earliest concorde to record his bit, so it might well have been a "young performers" record
think McCartney played bass on the record didn't he?
2 times he played on last years version 2
The artists on the Band Aid record were all (with the exception of maybe David Bowie), young, contemporary artists that would appeal to the target record buying youth demographic, and all had hit records of their own in the charts (Culture Club, Duran Duran, Paul Young, Bono, I think Bananarama, Spandua Ballet, etc.)
Bowie didn't do Band Aid. He recorded a message for the extended remix, and introduced it on Top Of The Pops, but didn't sing a line. Geldof wanted him to sing Paul Young's opening line - which he did indeed do at the Band Aid Finale st the end of Live Aid.
Yes, there were older performers, such as Macca, Status Quo, and even Phil Collins. But people like Bowie (though mentioned on the 12 inch version), Elton, The Who, Rolling Stones, etc, were not featured on the record.
And no, Queen were not on tour during the recording. The Sun City shows were in mid-October, then Queen took a break until 1985. Band Aid was famously recorded later in November.
Freddie actually said in one interview, and I can't recall which one right now that he was in Munich at the time of artists being rung up and asked to participate so information about it didn't filter through until later. I don't think he was actually asked but he did say he would have loved to have taken part but jokingly said the organisers probably thought he was a bit old!
bex wrote: Freddie actually said in one interview, and I can't recall which one right now that he was in Munich at the time of artists being rung up and asked to participate so information about it didn't filter through until later. I don't think he was actually asked but he did say he would have loved to have taken part but jokingly said the organisers probably thought he was a bit old!
I heard or read that in an interview with Freddie too.
I think that's why Freddie was so enthusiastic to participate in other post Band Aid, post Live Aid, Band Aid Trust projects, like around November 1985, when he did Fashion Aid for and with Bob Geldof.
I wondered that myself.
And why none of the singers during "Do They Know It's Christmas" at Live Aid would let Freddie get a line in edgewise. He had to stick his head into the throng just to be heard on the mikes...
Suigi wrote: I wondered that myself.
And why none of the singers during "Do They Know It's Christmas" at Live Aid would let Freddie get a line in edgewise. He had to stick his head into the throng just to be heard on the mikes...
I noticed that too, i really felt pitty for Freddie, but after the humiliation he gave everyone with is outstanding performance, whtat could he expect from them?!!
Take care
Oberon wrote: I think McCartney played bass on the record didn't he?
I think Queen were touring at the time, and Sun city probably played a part like someone said.
although geldof phoned Boy George who was in New York and got him up and got him to fly over on the earliest concorde to record his bit, so it might well have been a "young performers" record
think McCartney played bass on the record didn't he?
2 times he played on last years version 2
paul mccartney didn't play bass on the original band aid single, he appeared on the b side giving a message of support down the telephone