In 2010, Young Artists for Haiti remade K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flag” as a charity single to benefit relief efforts following the Haiti earthquake. I loved this song, and my dad used this to teach me about the important of music, and how artists have used songs and their voices to raise awareness and also as a call to action. One of the songs that taught him this was Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas.” In 1984, Bob Geldof called Midge Ure after seeing a report on the BBC about the famine that was happening in Africa.
Bob wanted to do something, so he and Midge gathered the biggest artists in the world into the studio, and in showing the power of we, the “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was out to the record stores in 4 days. It became the biggest selling single in UK history, selling a million copies in the first week alone. This led to Live Aid in 1985, one of the biggest concerts the world has ever seen, even today!
Midge was recently in Toronto, and I had the chance to sit down with him. We talked about the need to use your voice and the power doing this with a community to inspire and motivate action. Thank you to Ben Knechtel for directing and editing this!
…and here’s “Wavin’ Flag,” the song where it all began for me!
Awesome blog and great that you care so much about the issues that matter. Keep it up! Inspiring!
Thank you Michael! I created my blog because I want to encourage people to use their voice and spread awareness about these issues!
Great interview, well done xxxxx
Thank you Lisa! I was so honored and excited to interview him and get the word out about how to use your voice!
Great interview Hannah! I can just imagine the things you will be capable of in another 10 years.
Thank you Wovenflame! When I grow up, I want to be an activist, I do not know what area yet, but I want to choose one that can inspire and empower people to do good locally and globally.
In 1984, the song Do They Know It’s Christmas, is where it began for me! Thank you & best for 2014!
Thank you Maria! The song not only topped the chart in the UK for 5 weeks, and Band Aid earned more than one million dollars to be sent into countries that need them. I agree, it is an awesome song.