Harry Belafonte Provided the American Spark.īelafonte had the notion to put together a similar charity record using the biggest stars in America.

Geldof would perform on “We Are the World” as part of the chorus and later organize Live Aid and Live 8 with Ure. The first big charity single of the 80s was “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” Released under a supergroup named Band Aid that was organized by Bob Geldof (of The Boomtown Rats and star of the film Pink Floyd’s The Wall) and Midge Ure, the song featured members of U2, Wham!, Culture Club, Duran Duran, and a number of other stars from the UK.