The biggest names in music will once again ask "Do They Know It's Christmas?" for all those suffering from the Ebola crisis in West Africa.
Bob Geldof will assemble today's biggest stars to record a 30th anniversary version of the Band Aid charity single to raise money for Ebola relief efforts. He teamed up with his original Band Aid co-organizer Midge Ure to mount the fourth recording of the song since its original version in 1984.
Ebola "is a particularly pernicious illness because it renders humans untouchable and that is sickening," Geldof said at a London press conference on Nov 10. "Mothers can't comfort their children in their dying hours. Lovers can't cradle each other. Wives can't hold their husbands' hands. People are chased down the streets because of it - and it could come our way."
The all-star list consists of the best talents from Britain, Ireland and Scotland who are making music today. Adele, Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Bastille, Ellie Goulding, Jessie Ware, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith and Olly Murs have confirmed their participation. Geldof also recruited U2 frontman Bono, Coldplay's Chris Martin and One Direction to lend their voices to the worthy cause.
"It is something wonderful that this country reaches out," Geldof said on his blog. "[Ure] and I both feel, the Irishman and the Scotsman, should gather the pop crowd together again and do our thing."
Geldof will slightly alter the lyrics to reflect the "filthy illness" of Ebola. He also urged people to buy the single even if they "hate" it.
"Don't download it, don't look at it on YouTube, it's a couple of quid. It's a great thing to do at Christmas," he said.
Geldof staged two other recordings of the popular Christmas song in 1989 and 2004 for the 20th anniversary. Bono participated in the original recording and the 2004 version, which Chris Martin prompted the idea for.
