Initial details have been nailed down for the impending all-star recording of a "Band Aid III" charity single. A date has not yet been set for the new recording of the 1984 best-seller "Do They Know It's Christmas," but it will be released, like the original, on Mercury, Universal Music U.K. & Ireland chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge tells Billboard. Proceeds will again benefit the Band Aid Trust to aid famine in Africa.
"We're in the process of putting it together," says Grainge. "Logistically, it's an extraordinary event. Every four or five hours there's a new twist or turn."Long-time rivals Noel Gallagher and Damon Albarn are also teaming up for Band Aid III.
Organiser Midge Ure, who co-wrote 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' with Sir Bob Geldof, has revealed the Oasis guitarist and Blur frontman have agreed to bury the hatchet for the first time in ten years to take part in the charity project. However, Damon is planning to take part under the guise of his animated band Gorillaz. Midge revealed: "Noel said he's going to do it and I heard Damon is as well, but as one of the Gorillaz."
Coldplay, The Darkness and Travis will also feature on the song, which will be produced by Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, while Midge wants U2 frontman Bono to sing his famous line from the original 1984 version: "Tonight thank God it's them instead of you."
The Darkness star Justin Hawkins wanted to sing the line, but Midge thinks Bono should have the honour. He told BBC radio station 6Music: "Bono turned that line into his and I think it would be really difficult to replace him. I don't think it would suit Justin's falsetto voice."
The new version will mark the 20th anniversary of the original, which was a worldwide hit raising millions for Africa's famine victims.
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