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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZBOOMTOWN RATSSeminal Irish punk band formed '75, led by verbose vocalist Bob Geldof (b 5 Oct. '54, Dublin), with Johnny Fingers, keyboards; Pete Briquette, bass; Gerry Cott and Gary Roberts, guitars. Top 20 hits during '77--8 incl. 'Looking After No. 1', 'She's So Modern'; breakthrough came with 'Rat Trap' (no. 1 UK '78), then controversial 'I Don't Like Mondays' (no. 1 UK/73 USA '79), titled after an excuse for mindless murders by a San Diego schoolgirl; single also notable for early use of promo video. LPs Tonic For The Troops '78, Fine Art Of Surfacing '79 showed more 'rockist' tendency than among other punk acts. Geldof was always centre of attention in live performance, nearest the new wave had to a Mick Jagger figure; an ex-freelance on music weekly New Musical Express, he gave as good as he got in interviews. Shoddy reggae-infl. 'Banana Republic' (no. 3 '80) saw decline; Mondo Bongo '81, Five Deep '82 and In The Long Grass '84 were perfunctory; compilation Ratrospective '83 incl. all their best stuff, a good selection of late '70s singles. Geldof was evangelical about the group, but diversified into acting; role of Pink in Pink Floyd's The Wall '82 well received, No. 1 '85 (with Ian Dury) less successful; meanwhile worked tirelessly '84--5 on Band Aid project: with Ultravox's Midge Ure he got music people to work together feeding starving Africans in the most successful charity project in history; toured Africa, saw that the money went to famine victims, took no nonsense from politicians, nominated for Nobel Prize, knighted '86; he organized Live Aid '85 and was criticized for incl. Rats on grounds they were no longer a big enough name. His work inspired similar projects around the world; autobiography Is That It? '86 was a best-seller, called the best-ever book by a rock star (meant to be a compliment). Having done all he could for famine relief, he went back to music; solo Deep In The Heart Of Nowhere '86 incl. hits 'This Is The World Calling', 'Love Like A Rocket', co-ordinated by Dave Stewart, contributions from Eric Clapton, Maria McKee, Alison Moyet, album The Happy Club '93 on Polydor. Marriage to Paula Yates ended '96 when she ran off with a more fashionable rock star. |