The Boomtown Rats were one of my faves! The song "Up All Night" (and its delightful video ha cha cha) was top of the playlist for a long time.
Bob Geldof, or is it Sir Bob Geldof went on to save the world from hunger and put on the biggest charity gig ever. There is much to be said about the 80's and Geldof and his dililgence was something so admirable that no matter what his rockstar persona was- he is still quite simply an upright guy.
But now decades later its time to reunite- or so some say. The Rats will reunite for the Isle of Wright Fest in the UK and its confirmed, they are all on board.
Geldof and all original members Pete Briquette, Simon Crowe and Garry Roberts are dusting of the playlist and tuning up the instruments. 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.”
The Boomtown Rats will join other perfomers Bon Jovi, Little Angels, Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel, Hugh Cornwell, The Blockheads and more.
“Our audience will love them,” Giddings the shows promotor, says. “Their catalogue is classic.”
Bob Geldof has said “The coolest thing about being in the Rats is that we were one of about 10 bands at the time who did actually change things.
“At the time, you were openly contemptuous of the system and yet you were blatantly using it. I was contemptuous of the alternative system as well as the establishment, and I was using both.”
No words on any other gigs after this festival but c'mon…they gotta play New York!