One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Chris Martin, Bono, Sam Smith, Elbow, Elie Goulding, Bastille and Paloma Faith have all agreed to record a re-worked version of "Don't They Know it's Christmas," with proceeds from the single going towards the U.N. effort to fight the virus in West Africa.
Bob Geldof and Midge Ure are spearheading the new Band Aid effort on the 30th anniversary of the Christmas charity single's original recording from 1984. "It's the worst kept secret in music history," joked Geldof at a press conference in London on Monday.
The project was launched just three weeks ago when Geldof, who recently lost his daughter Peaches, received a call from the United Nations. "They are very concerned. They require at least a 20 percent increase in assistance and material," he said, adding that the brave volunteer doctors on site "need to be supported."
With the death toll in West Africa almost at 5000, "They are dying because they are very poor and that is radically unacceptable," the Irish singer and songwriter said.
Geldof, 63, and Ure are also setting up similar initiatives in France, Germany and America. Quincy Jones will lead the way for the U.S. project, and David Bowie has been asked to re-introduce the video as he did 30 years ago. Bastille has even cancelled two U.S. tour dates in order to fly back to the U.K. on Saturday for the recording session.
"Hopefully we can put this beast to bed once and for all," said Geldof, who pleaded with the public to buy the record and not watch it on social media sites.
The charity song will be recorded in London on Saturday and released on Nov. 17.
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