Latest news with #PaulaYates
The Sun
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Secrets of Live Aid revealed 40 years on including mortifying moment for Bob Geldof & how stars gate-crashed wedding
WHEN Paula Yates' two-year-old daughter Fifi presented Princess Diana with a limp bunch of flowers at Live Aid, the cute moment soon turned into a mortifying spectacle. Watching on in horror, Paula realised she had failed to remove the petrol station tag from the wrapper — but thankfully both women descended into giggles. 8 8 It is just one of the remarkable moments remembered by journalist Robin Eggar, who was given special backstage access on the day. Robin, who also had a prized seat just behind the Royal Box at Wembley Stadium on July 13, said: 'It was a hilarious moment. The sticker was still very visible and Diana was very polite in accepting them — there were smiles and laughter. 'She was a big fan of pop music and was clearly enjoying the day.' Live Aid was the biggest charity music extravaganza of all time, jointly arranged by the late Paula's then-husband Bob Geldof. The two-venue benefit concert was watched by 1.9billion people worldwide, raising £150million for famine relief in Ethiopia and starring almost 100 acts and star presenters in the UK and in Philadelphia in the States. Speaking ahead of the concert's 40th anniversary, Robin said: 'The atmosphere was a bit like the dads' race at a kids' sports day — it was competitive, but everyone tried to look like they weren't competing. 'Getting the stars there was a logistical nightmare so they were flown in by helicopter from Battersea Heliport. 'The only place it could land was a cricket pitch near the stadium. 'Every time the helicopter landed, the bemused cricketers, who were mid-game, would have to rush off. Then they'd have four or five overs before the next helicopter landed. 'There was also a wedding party in the pavilion, who were wondering what the hell was going on as Freddie Mercury walked past. Quite a few health and safety rules were likely broken. 'But that is why it all worked. It would've been impossible to get them all there by car or the Tube.' Inside, the stars took over a giant backstage area, where the Hard Rock Cafe had built a huge restaurant to feed all the workers for free. Robin said: 'Everyone was excited, hugging and chatting. I remember Freddie joking with Midge Ure and winding him up saying, 'You're that lovely boy from the Boomtown Rats', pretending to mix him up with Bob Geldof. 'Amazing atmosphere' 'Next to the free burgers were huge charity buckets, and if anyone put in £20 they were deemed a cheapskate, so it ended up costing about £50 for a burger. 'Robbie Coltrane was auctioning off his favourite car, Jools Holland joked that he would donate £100,000 if Paula Yates offered him 'executive relief'. There was a lot of drinking. It was an amazing atmosphere.' On stage, the performances had to run like clockwork. Each was given exactly 18 minutes. There was also a wedding party in the pavilion, who were wondering what the hell was going on as Freddie Mercury walked past. Quite a few health and safety rules were likely broken The bands lined up on a 'conveyor belt-like stage', with technicians preparing the next act on a circular stage while another played, so the music was endless. Robin added: 'The drummer from Ultravox was so relaxed he had to be woken up to go on stage. 'There was drama backstage after Paul McCartney's mic stand collapsed mid-set, and Sting went on stage without his band so it was just him and his acoustic guitar. 'U2 were down to do four songs but only played two because Bono spent most of his time dancing with a girl on stage. 'There was a strange moment when Yusuf Islam/Cat Stevens turned up and said, 'I'm here to play to the world' but he wasn't allowed to play. 'But there was no doubt the star of the show was Freddie Mercury and Queen. They did all their hits in a medley, which they had rehearsed for two weeks. 'Freddie was the person everyone wanted to be around backstage.' Robin added: 'It was an incredible day to observe up close.' MAGICAL DAY IN SNAPS By Jane Atkinson VETERAN showbiz snapper Dave Hogan has travelled the world taking photos of A-listers – but he says nothing compares to Live Aid. He was at Wembley Stadium 40 years ago today for the 1985 event organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure. 8 Following the Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas? the event raised around £150million to relieve the 1983–85 famine in Ethiopia A host of stars performed including Status Quo, Adam Ant, Sade Sting, U2, Queen, David Bowie, Elton John, Phil Collins and Paul McCartney. Geldof's Boomtown Rats played I Don't Like Mondays. Award-winning Dave — nicknamed Hogie — joined The Sun in 1980 and says: 'These were the biggest stars in the world, but there was a sign up that said, 'Check your ego before you go on stage'. 'That, to me, summed up the occasion. This wasn't about them — it was about thinking of others. 'There had never been anything as big before. And nothing has been as big since.' As an official photographer, Hogie had access to the stage. He says: 'Looking back it's surreal. There weren't the safety checks we have today. 'There were no mobile phones — just 72,000 people fully focused on what was happening on stage. It was magical.' Hogie's photos captured the magical day. Here he shares five of his favourites. ROCKIN' ALL QUOVER THE WORLD THE atmosphere was mesmerising from the very start. It was amazing that the day had come together, with stars who were just massive. 8 And Status Quo kicking it off with Rockin' All Over The World was the anthem to that. This is Francis Rossi during Quo's opening set. Live Aid really was one of the highlights of my career. BONO SAVES CRUSH FAN BONO jumped into the crowd to help a 15-year-old girl who was being crushed . . . and danced with her as U2 kept playing. It kind of summed up why we were there, just all trying to help in some way. 8 Then Bono couldn't get back on the stage – it was funny to see. FRED'S A KIND OF MAGIC THIS is Freddie on stage during Queen's famous set but mainly, for me, this reminds me of the crowd that day. Over the years I photographed Freddie on more than one occasion, but the way the crowd reacted to him at Live Aid was just amazing. 8 He was a legend and every single person there on the day would agree. TWO BLOKES, ROCK GODS THERE'S something about this I love. You would think they're just two blokes having a chat. 8 But it's Bowie and Macca – rock gods. The picture speaks volumes, too. Everybody mucked in that day for a single cause, no matter how famous they were. WHO IS HE? BONO had a can of Heineken in his hand and started talking with two policewomen backstage. They were lovely and chatted away to him. But when he left, one of them turned and asked me: 'Who is he?' WEMBLEY LINE-UP Status Quo The Style Council The Boomtown Rats Adam Ant Ultravox Spandau Ballet Elvis Costello Nik Kershaw Sade Sting & Phil Collins (with Branford Marsalis) Howard Jones Bryan Ferry (with David Gilmour) Paul Young Alison Moyet U2 Dire Straits Queen David Bowie The Who Elton John (with Kiki Dee & Wham!) Freddie Mercury Brian May Paul McCartney (with David Bowie, Bob Geldof, Alison Moyet & Pete Townshend) Band Aid (Do They Know It's Christmas ensemble)
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bob Geldof praises Paula Yates for key role in Live Aid
Bob Geldof has praised his late ex-wife Paula Yates for being instrumental in Live Aid. The Boomtown Rats frontman assembled a host of famous performers at the time for 1984's Band Aid charity single Do They Know It's Christmas?, which then led to the huge global concert series the following summer, but he admitted he wouldn't have been able to bring the line-up together without the help of his then-partner, who was co-host of music show The Tube. Speaking in upcoming documentary Live Aid At 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On The World, Bob said: 'All I had the power to do was write tunes. But the Boomtown Rats were not guaranteed to have hits any more. All these new guys had come along with beautiful suits and coiffed hair. 'And I understood this new thing because my wife had befriended all these people on the show that she was host of, The Tube. 'So I called Paula and I asked who was on the show that night and she said, 'Ultravox'. I said, 'Put Midge Ure on' and he just said, 'What do you want to do?'.' And even setting up an initiative to ease Ethiopian famine was the brainchild of Paula when she and Bob were watching an infamous news report on the situation with their daughter Fifi, who was two at the time. Bob, now 73, said: "My partner Paula couldn't stand watching it, she didn't want our child to watch it. She clearly associated what she was seeing with our child. She just grabbed her and went upstairs, but I stayed, transfixed. 'I came down the next morning and there was a green bowl on the table in the kitchen, and Paula had put a note in there saying, 'Anyone who comes to this house must put a pound or five pounds into this bowl'. I thought, 'That's not adequate'.' Several of the musicians who took part in Band Aid praised Paula' - who died in 2000 aged 41 - for her calming presence during recording. U2's Bono said: 'There was a lot of male egos in the room, not enough women.' Gary Kemp noted: 'Paula Yates was really the lovely glue, carrying her child around, Fifi, and their dog, Growler. They're a great family.' And Midge added: 'Everybody knew Paula, we all knew Bob through Paula. 'She was funny and witty and highly intelligent, and she kept everyone entertained, walking around chatting to them.' Live Aid At 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On The World airs on BBC Two next week.
The Sun
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Why Paula Yates was the secret force behind Live Aid and why Bob Geldof's phone call with a pop star helped raise £74m
THE world will always remember 1985's Live Aid as the global fundraiser organised by Bob Geldof. But the truth was, he could not have pulled off the mega rock concert without his then-girlfriend, Paula Yates. 9 9 Four decades on from the historic event, a new documentary reveals how the Boomtown Rats frontman tapped into his glamorous partner's music-industry contacts as he put together the incredible line-up. In Live Aid At 40, which airs next week, Sir Bob says it was really Paula who brought together the likes of Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet to boost the appeal, which ended up raising about £150million for the starving in Ethiopia. She had access to big-name celebs through Channel 4's Eighties music show, The Tube, which she hosted with Jools Holland. My wife had befriended all these new guys with beautiful suits and hair. I asked who was on her show and she put Midge Ure on the phone Bob On the BBC Two programme Bob, who married Paula in 1986, recalls: 'All I had the power to do was write tunes. But the Boomtown Rats were not guaranteed to have hits any more. All these new guys had come along with beautiful suits and coiffed hair. 'And I understood this new thing because my wife had befriended all these people on the show that she was host of, The Tube. 'So I called Paula and I asked who was on the show that night and she said, 'Ultravox'. I said, 'Put Midge Ure on' and he just said, 'What do you want to do?'.' That was the moment which led to the cream of British music coming together on November 25, 1984, to record Band Aid's Do they Know It's Christmas?, which then led to Live Aid on July 13, 1985. 'Lot of male egos' The global event saw Madonna, U2, David Bowie, Elton John and Queen, among others, perform at simultaneous concerts at Wembley Stadium and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia. They were broadcast worldwide in a bid to encourage donations to combat the Ethiopian famine. But fundraising to help victims was actually an idea dreamt up by Paula — who was just 25 — in the family home she shared with Bob, then 33, and their two-year-old daughter Fifi. Critics of Bob Geldof are WRONG - Band Aid saved my life and thousands more He can still vividly recall the moment they watched the evening news and witnessed Michael Buerk's now-famous 1984 news report on the humanitarian crisis. She couldn't stand watching the Ethiopia news. She put a bowl on the table with a note saying put £1 or £5 in here. I thought: That's not adequate Bob In the three-part documentary, Sir Bob says: 'My partner Paula couldn't stand watching it, she didn't want our child to watch it. She clearly associated what she was seeing with our child. She just grabbed her and went upstairs, but I stayed, transfixed. 'I came down the next morning and there was a green bowl on the table in the kitchen, and Paula had put a note in there saying, 'Anyone who comes to this house must put a pound or five pounds into this bowl'. I thought, 'That's not adequate'.' This saw Bob team up with Midge to write Do They Know It's Christmas?, with a little help from pals such as Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet, who Bob pressured to sign up. 9 9 In the documentary, Gary recalls: 'He came running in — his presence is huge, he takes over — and he said this report was from Ethiopia where the famine is huge and out of control and it broke my heart, and it broke Paula's heart.' Paula was also credited with holding things together when the Band Aid track was recorded — a day which could easily have been derailed by rivalries among the mostly male line-up of rock and pop superstars. As U2's Bono says in the programme: 'There was a lot of male egos in the room, not enough women.' Bringing together so many huge artists from the day — some of whom had sniped at one another in the past — could have ended with fighting and stars storming out. Gary says: 'Paula Yates was really the lovely glue, carrying her child around, Fifi, and their dog, Growler. They're a great family.' Midge adds: 'Everybody knew Paula, we all knew Bob through Paula. 'She was funny and witty and highly intelligent, and she kept everyone entertained, walking around chatting to them.' The glowing praise for the TV host is in stark contrast to the dark clouds that overshadowed her life in later years, when her marriage to Sir Bob imploded. After a decade together, they had wed in Las Vegas, with Simon Le Bon of Duran Duran as best man. They went on to have two more children — Peaches in 1989 and Pixie in 1990. But in 1995, Paula interviewed Michael Hutchence on Channel 4's The Big Breakfast and started a wild, drug-fuelled affair with the INXS frontman. 9 9 9 That finished her marriage to Bob and led to her having a child, Tiger Lily, with the singer in 1996. Then, in 1997, he took his own life in a Sydney hotel room aged 37. Three years later, Paula died aged 41 of a heroin overdose at her home in Notting Hill, London. 'Wonderful spirit' Tragically Peaches, her daughter with Sir Bob, died the same way, aged 25, in 2014. But with the passing of time, the new BBC documentary provides a clearer look back at the day the world was changed by the unlikely force of rock and pop music. Do They Know It's Christmas? was a huge success, shooting straight to No1 and staying there for five weeks, which saw it sell three million copies in the UK alone. Bob laughs as he recalls convincing Margaret Thatcher's Conservative government to effectively wave the VAT on sales. 'BOB THOUGHT QUEEN WERE ROCK DINOSAURS' QUEEN'S mesmerising set at Live Aid was one of the concert's most memorable performances – but it almost never happened. Bob Geldof did not rate Freddie Mercury and Co and had to be convinced to add them to the bill because he simply 'didn't want them'. Drummer Roger Taylor explained: 'Bob came from the post-punk explosion, so he had pretensions of being a bit punk, so he must have thought we were dinosaurs.' However, after 'packing a few bangers in our set', Queen managed to somehow crank up the volume at Wembley to unparalleled levels. Their epic contribution, which included the songs Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga and We Are the Champions, soon changed Bob's tune. Forty years on years on, he says: 'I just thought it was over-blown operatic, you know 'we use the studio as an instrument', oh f*** off. 'Subsequently, of course, we all have to admit that we thought the songs were great. 'So with age, we're allowed to admit it.' Then another huge boost came when musicians across the Atlantic decided to record their own fundraiser for Africa in the form of We Are The World on January 28, 1985. The track was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, and the supergroup called themselves USA For Africa. In the documentary, Bob recalls receiving a surprise phone call from a man who was instrumental in the US project. He says: 'The phone rings and it's just, 'Is that Bob Geldof?'. It's this husky, gravelly voice that's very slow and I go, 'Yep, who's that?'. And he says, 'It's Harry Belafonte . . . and here's Michael'. 'He goes, 'Hi Bob!' and, like, Paula's sitting on the sofa and I'm saying to her, 'It's Michael Jackson!'. And she gets up and sort of runs around excitedly. Anyway, he says, 'Will you come out and help us?'.' Bob flew to LA, where he effectively gave a pep talk to stars including Michael and Lionel, plus Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, Cyndi Lauper and Tina Turner. As a result of these huge names, the single sold a staggering 20million copies. More importantly, it forged a trans-Atlantic drive to do more. That led to the launch of Live Aid in London and the US, which was also joined by performances around the world. It soon became apparent just what a success it had been. Interviewed on the night, the ever-positive Paula was asked if she had doubted Bob could pull off the feat. 'No, I never did,' she replied. 'Right from when he first decided, I thought that it would work. 'When they did the record, there was such a wonderful spirit around it. People did want to do it for free. So I thought the concert would happen.' Live Aid At 40: When Rock 'n' Roll Took On The World is on BBC Two at 9pm on July 6. 9 'DIDN'T DO HOMEWORK ON THEIR TITLE SONG' BAND AID's festive track Do They Know It's Christmas? raised more than £8million for Ethiopia within a year of its release. But it was not a hit with everyone. Despite its huge financial success – and the fact it featured an impressive collection of artists brought together by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure – some Ethiopians were offended by it. Two leading government figures admitted the song – which came after Michael Buerk highlighted the plight of starving Ethiopians in a 1984 news report – left them a bit miffed due to inaccuracies in its lyrics. Dawit Giorgis, former Minister for Aid for Ethiopia, told the documentary: 'We didn't like the title, Do They Know It's Christmas? It's the wrong title because they just didn't do their homework. 'Ethiopians are the oldest Christians in the world, so that offended us a little bit.' His deputy, Berhane Deressa, was equally bemused, questioning why the song referenced the country's perceived lack of water with the lyric, 'the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears'. He said: 'The country is that poor there is no rain? 'It supplies its neighbours with rivers that go into the Nile. Writing things like that isn't going to be right.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tiger Lily Hutchence welcomes first child
Tiger Lily Hutchence has reportedly given birth to her first child. In February, the singer-songwriter and her now-husband, Ben Archer, announced they were expecting a baby. The pair didn't share the infant's sex or due date. However, editors at MailOnline published photos depicting Tiger Lily, 28, pushing a newborn in a pram in London on Tuesday. One snap showed a pale blue baby blanket draped over the pram. Representatives for Tiger Lily and Ben have not yet commented on the happy news. The couple married in April after dating for three years. Tiger Lily is the daughter of British TV presenter Paula Yates, who died of an accidental drug overdose at the age of 41 in 2000, and INXS singer Michael Hutchence, who died by suicide at the age of 37 in 1997. As both of her parents died when she was a young girl, the artist was legally adopted by her mother's former husband, Irish singer-activist, Bob Geldof. Bob raised Tiger Lily alongside her half-sisters: Fifi, 42, Pixie, 34, and the late Peaches, who died at the age of 25 in 2014.
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tiger Lily Hutchence confirms the birth of her first child as she pushes her newborn in a stroller in London
Michael Hutchence 's daughter Tiger Lily Hutchence has welcomed her first child with her partner Ben Archer. The singer, 28, embraced life as a new mother on Tuesday as she enjoyed a relaxing stroll with her newborn baby in London. She looked happy and relaxed as she soaked up the sun while pushing her child, who was covered with a light blue blanket, in the pram. Tiger Lily was dressed comfortably in black pants, a white crop top and sandals for the casual outing. She carried her newborn baby's essentials in a large straw bag. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Tiger's long-term boyfriend revealed the news of her pregnancy in February when he shared an art flyer on Instagram which showed her showing off a large baby bump. 'My love @heavenlytiger is doing a show,' he commented. Tiger then confirmed the exciting news by responding with a hatching chicken emoji. 'Wahooo love you,' she wrote alongside the post. Followers expressed their excitement, with one person commenting: 'The joint exhibition!! the pregnancy!! I can't take it!!' 'Is T having a baby?' another questioned while a third wrote: 'YES!! THIS IS HUGE.' Tiger Lily, who is the daughter of Hutchence and late British TV presenter Paula Yates, has been quietly dating British model Ben, 27, since June 2023. The couple are believed to have 'tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in East London' in April. Tiger's long-term boyfriend Ben (pictured) revealed the news of her pregnancy in February when he shared an art flyer on Instagram which showed her showing off a large baby bump According to The Sun, the couple were 'keen to marry' ahead of the birth of their first child. The newlyweds reportedly hired out a restaurant on Columbia Road and invited their closest family and friends. A source said: 'Tiger Lily and Ben had a very chic, very low-key wedding on Saturday. They hired out a restaurant on Columbia Road for about 30 guests. 'Tiger Lily's sisters, Pixie and Fifi, were there, as well as Bob. The guest list was very rock 'n' roll, with Tiger Lily's godfather, Nick Cave, invited, too. 'Tiger Lily and Ben are so happy together and this ceremony was just for their closest friends and family. It was a beautiful day and, after the service, they all sat down to have a meal together.' Tiger Lily was just 16 months old when her father Michael killed himself in a Sydney hotel room at the age of 37. Her mother Paula overdosed on heroin at her home in Notting Hill, London, less than three years later. She was 41. The devastating circumstances that left Tiger Lily an orphan led to Paula's ex-husband Bob stepping in. He adopted Tiger Lily, and raised her as his daughter alongside his three daughters from his marriage to Paula; Peaches, who sadly passed away in 2014, Pixie and Fifi Trixibelle.
