The song was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure (ex Ultravox). “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was first recorded on 25 November 1984 by supergroup named “Band Aid”. The single was released on December 3, 1984 with “Feed the World” on the B-side. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” reached number one in numerous countries, including Germany, Australia and Canada. It became the fastest selling single in UK chart history) until 1997 when it was overtaken by “Candle in the Wind 1997”.
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was reissued one year later. This version included an updated B-side entitled “One Year On (Feed the World)”,
Other versions of the song was released in 1989 by Band Aid II, 2004 (Band Aid 20), and 2014 (Band Aid 30).
Band Aid members
(in alphabetical order)
Vocalists:
Robert “Kool” Bell (Kool & the Gang)
Bono (U2)
Pete Briquette (The Boomtown Rats)
Adam Clayton (U2)
Phil Collins (Genesis and solo artist)
Chris Cross (Ultravox)
Simon Crowe (The Boomtown Rats)
Sara Dallin (Bananarama)
Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama)
Johnny Fingers (The Boomtown Rats)
Bob Geldof (The Boomtown Rats)
Boy George (Culture Club)
Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17)
Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)
John Keeble (Spandau Ballet)
Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet)
Simon Le Bon (Duran Duran)
Marilyn
George Michael (Wham!)
Jon Moss (Culture Club)
Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet)
Rick Parfitt (Status Quo)
Nick Rhodes (Duran Duran)
Francis Rossi (Status Quo)
Sting (The Police)
Andy Taylor (Duran Duran)
James “J.T.” Taylor (Kool & the Gang)
John Taylor (Duran Duran)
Roger Taylor (Duran Duran)
Dennis Thomas (Kool & the Gang)
Midge Ure (Ultravox)
Martyn Ware (Heaven 17)
Jody Watley
Paul Weller (The Style Council)
Keren Woodward (Bananarama)
Paul Young
Additional spoken messages on B-side
Stuart Adamson, Mark Brzezicki, Tony Butler, Bruce Watson (Big Country)
David Bowie
Holly Johnson (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
Paul McCartney
Musicians
Phil Collins – drums
John Taylor – bass
Midge Ure – keyboards and programming