Bono Joins Band Aid Sequel

04 November 2004

The final line-up for the new Band Aid single has been announced, with Sir Paul McCartney and Bono among the performers. The U2 frontman will make a comeback to sing the line he delivered on the 1984 recording: "And tonight, thank God, it's them instead of you." McCartney will play bass on the Band Aid 20 single, Do They Know It's Christmas? but will not sing. The line-up also includes Chris Martin of Coldplay, who will play piano and sing the first line of the song, which will be released on 29 November and is expected to go straight to No1 and stay there until Christmas.

Band Aid's Bob Geldof and Midge Ure hope once again to raise public awareness and funds for famine victims, this time for the Darfur region of Sudan. Their 1984 original sold 3.5million copies in the UK and raised 20 million dollars for the famine in Ethiopia. It was followed by the 1985 Live Aid concert and Band Aid II in 1989.

Danny Goffey of Supergrass will play drums and Travis singer Fran Healy will head the guitar section in the new version. Robbie Williams recorded the entire song in Los Angeles on Monday, and producer Nigel Godrich will choose the line he wants the singer to contribute to the final mix. Dido will not be at the London recording session on 14 November but will also record her contribution in advance. Other stars now on board include Snow Patrol, Keane and Natasha Bedingfield. The Darkness will play guitars and singer Justin Hawkins is likely to contribute a line.

Bookmakers in the UK think it could be the biggest-selling record since Elton John's Princess Diana tribute, 'Candle In The Wind 97', which sold 3.4 million copies in its first week.