Bob Geldof has received an honorary award from Official Charts for the Live Aid musical album featuring songs by Boomtown Rats, U2, Sir Brian May, Sting and Madonna.
The songs on the collection achieved 8 UK Number 1 hit singles and 8 No 2s.
The Original Cast Recording from Just For One Day – the Live Aid Musical dropped on July 11, to mark the 40th anniversary of the legendary charity concert.
It boasts 17 artists and Top 10 songs from the likes The Boomtown Rats, David Bowie, Sir Elton John, Madonna, Mick Jagger (duet with David Bowie on Martha Reeves and the Vandellas’ Dancing In The Street), Phil Collins, Queen, Simple Minds, Status Quo (for their version of John Fogerty’s Rockin’ All Over The World), The Beatles, The Cars, The Police, The Style Council, The Who, Ultravox and Wham!.
The Band Aid Trust was formed in response to famine in Ethiopia, and 10 per cent of proceeds from Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical will be donated.
Live Aid co-founder Bob Geldof has been bestowed with The Official Charts Company’s Official Top 10 Award in recognition of the achievements of the Live Aid artists who contributed songs to the musical.
Bob Geldof said: “These are some of the greatest songs in the rock canon. It is extraordinary to think that these and dozens more were performed live by the greatest artists of the age.
“The Rats’ I Don’t Like Mondays, played at Live Aid to over a billion people, took on a whole strange and different meaning. But, then again, it was a strange, exhilarating day that had a sense of something ‘other’ about it all.
“Now, I Don’t Like Mondays is re-imagined for a smaller stage for Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical and, along with the other tunes, brilliantly rearranged for 2025 – but with the same intensity. So if you weren’t there perhaps you get a ‘sense’ of that time.
“All of these were massive chart songs then. They got all the awards and trophies, and hearing them revitalised and afresh of course they are being honoured once again. The great tunes never stop being sung.”
Live Aid co-organiser Midge Ure said: “By the time we got to Live Aid, Ultravox had enjoyed hits including ‘Vienna’ and ‘Dancing With Tears In My Eyes’ – both of which feature in Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical. The adaptations of these songs, as well as other artists’ classic tracks, are superb. The show tells the Live Aid story but it is also just a thrilling night out with amazing music.”