Boomtown Rats booked for Isle of Wight Festival 'by accident'

... perform on one of the stages at the festival. We've got one of the best festivals in the country and some of the best new acts such as Palma Violets and Jake Bugg so we should be doing our bit to enhance the future of the music industry." "The winners will get to be seen by lots of people; the general public, people in the music business, TV and radio. I'd love to discover a band worth managing and taking all the way to getting a record deal." Bands and artists wishing to take part in Isle of Wight festival Unsigned Competition can find out more here. Boomtown Rats booked for Isle of Wight Festival 'by accident' ... [ read more ]

Bob Geldof Reuniting With The Boomtown Rats

... (Classic Rock) The Boomtown Rats will reunite for a set at this year's Isle of Wight Festival, it's been confirmed. Bob Geldof and co split in 1986 after six albums plus memorable hit singles I Don't Like Mondays and Rat Trap. Now the frontman has lined up with original members Pete Briquette, Simon Crowe and Garry Roberts. Geldof says: "I've always fancied playing the Isle of Wight Festival, ever since I hitched there in the good/bad days when I was a kid." Promoter John Giddings believes the Rats will fit perfectly in a bill that includes Bon Jovi, Little Angels, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Hugh Cornwell, The Blockheads and more. more on this story Classic Rock Magazine is an official news provider for antiMusic.com. Copyright Classic Rock Magazine- Excerpted here with permission. Bob Geldof Reuniting With The Boomtown Rats ... [ read more ]

The Boomtown Rats to reform for IOW

... Playing together for the first time since 1986, the Isle of Wight Festival are truly thrilled to bring you The Boomtown Rats! After a 26-year hiatus, Bob Geldof will be fronting The Boomtown Rats for a UK festival exclusive, playing the Main Stage on Sunday 16th June. Formed in 1975 in Dublin The Boomtown Rats played their first UK shows with the Ramones and Talking Heads and fought the punk wars alongside the Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Jam and The Stranglers. They were one of the biggest bands of the late 70s/80s with a string of top ten hits and platinum albums, earning ... [ read more ]

The Boomtown Rats

(1975-1984)

Bob Geldof (vocals)
Johnny Fingers (keyboards, vocals)
Gerry Roberts (guitar, vocals)
Gerry Cott (guitar)
Pete Briquette (bass)
Simon Crowe (drums, vocals)

Artistfacts®: You can leave comments about the artist/band at the bottom of the page.

Geldof organized Band Aid and Live Aid, which went to help victims of famine in Africa.

Geldof appeared in the Pink Floyd movie The Wall.

Geldof, because he is Irish and therefore cannot receive a knighthood, received a KBE which is equivalent. He is popularly known as Sir or Saint Bob. (thanks, Flo - London, England)

Paula Yates, who died in 2000 and had an affair with Michael Hutchince from INXS at the time of his death, was married to Geldof.

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Comments:

George, Grimsby England.

What you have written is 100% accurate as I heard Bob Geldof confirm it himself when he was on "this is your life". Similarly, Bad Manners had to change their name too as their record company took offence when they called themselves The Sheet Starchers!

Graham, Preston England

- Graham, Preston, United Kingdom

Geldof is not entitled to call himself "sir" because he isnt an English citizen, however considering his KBE status and his huge humanitarian work I dont think it really matters what he calls himself.

- Draco, Perth, Australia

Has anyone read "Is That It?" Best Book Ever!

- Racine, Truro, MA

I beleive Boomtown rats were originally called mark Skid & the Y Fronts. because record companies would not sign them up under this name they became the group we all 'know and love'. Is there anyone out there who can confirm this for me?

- George, Grimsby, England

I don't think he's ever been called 'Sir' Bob Geldof.

- Tom, Trowbridge, England

yeah, non british knights can only put KBE at the end of there name
like Steven Spielberg, KBE

- Ariel, Woodbridge, CT

Bob Geldof doesn't have a full British knighthood, only an honorary one because he is an Irish citizen. I'm not sure whether he's entitled to call himself Sir Bob or not.

- Emery, London, England

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