Band Aid - 1, 2 and 20 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Paul Young

The Band Aid story began back in October 1984. Michael Buerk of the BBC presented a harrowing news report of people gradually starving to death in Ethiopia, which so deeply moved Boomtown Rats singer Bob Geldof that he vowed to try and do something to help. Together with Ultravox vocalist Midge Ure, Bob set about writing the song that would be the start of something very big - a song that would both touch and help millions of people. Bob and Midge galvanized the top recording artists of the day to sing on "Do They Know It's Christmas?" and the Band Aid legend was on its way with that first recording on 25th November 1984.

The single's picture sleeve was designed by artist Peter Blake, the man responsible for the cover of The Beatles album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band".

Answer: Matt Goss

Matt Goss, of Bros fame, sang the line with a little help from Jason Donovan at the beginning. Bono was the only artist to sing on both the original version and the Band Aid 20 version in 2004, reprising the exact same line from the song. The B-side of the original hit had spoken messages of support from artists such as David Bowie, Paul McCartney and Frankie Goes To Hollywood, who were unable to be there for that first recording. Paul McCartney made it 20 years later in 2004 when he played bass on the new version.

Answer: Bananarama

Band Aid 2 took their version to #1 in December 1989, where it remained for three weeks. As well as Bananarama, Band Aid 2 also featured popular late 80s acts such as Bros, Big Fun, Jason Donovan, Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Somerville, Wet Wet Wet, Chris Rea, The Pasadenas, D Mob, Cathy Dennis, Technotronic, Sonia and Lisa Stansfield.

Answer: FEED1

The Band Aid 2 version, issued by PWL/Polydor, was released with the catalogue number FEED2, and the somewhat ordinary number of 9869413 was issued by Mercury Records to Band Aid 20.

Answer: False

Although Phil played on the original version, it was actually Luke Goss of teen sensations Bros who drummed for Band Aid 2. Luke and his twin brother Matt, together with bassist Craig Logan, had a string of hits in the late 80s, including a UK #1 with "I Owe You Nothing". The drums on the Band Aid 20 version were played by Danny Goffey of Supergrass.

Answer: The original Band Aid

Whilst researching this quiz I watched the videos of the artists recording all the versions of "Do They Know It's Christmas?", and there is an amusing bit in the first Band Aid video in which Francis Rossi is caught by the camera admiring a certain part of the anatomy of a female singer! A satellite TV channel called "Magic" usually airs Christmas videos in December, and all three versions of the song can be seen.

Answer: Justin Hawkins

Justin Hawkins, and his brother Dan who plays guitar on the 2004 version, are both from UK rock band The Darkness. Coldplay singer Chris Martin sings the opening lines "It's Christmas time, there's no need to be afraid".

Answer: Madonna

The video for Band Aid 20's re-make was shown simultaneously on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel Four, Five, Sky One and a few other satellite digital channels at 17-55 pm on the 18th November 2004. Before its airing, Madonna gave a short introduction mentioning the events of twenty years earlier and why it was necessary to once again record that historic song for famine relief. Madonna herself does not appear on the 2004 version, but of course performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985.

Answer: Dizzee Rascal

The Band Aid 20 version has certainly come in for some criticism since its first broadcast, and Dizzee's rap has proved unpopular with those who prefer the original version. Dizzee Rascal (born Dylan Mills in 1985) has had UK chart entries with hits such as "I Luv U" and "Fix Up Look Sharp".

Answer: Damon Albarn of Blur

Well, that was very nice of Damon to serve tea to the artists! Some of those artists involved in Band Aid 20 (so named as it was 20 years since the first version) include The Darkness, Robbie Williams, Dido, Thom Yorke, Daniel Bedingfield, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Busted, Rachel Stevens, Will Young, Jamelia, Joss Stone and Fran Healy of Travis. Oasis and the Cheeky Girls were not involved! The 1984 Band Aid single sold 3.5 million copies in the UK, and topped the UK charts for five weeks. Band Aid 20 sold 75,000 copies on its first day of sales, so it has some way to go to match the original.

There has been much debate in the media and on the internet over which is the best version of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" but, in the end, all that really matters is that it helps raise both money and awareness of those in greater need then ourselves.