The song also launched a charitable movement that would grow to include USA for Africa and Live Aid.
Duran Duran was instrumental in 1984's Band Aid and would headline Live Aid the following year.
Duran's Simon Le Bon sang alongside Bono, George Michael, and others. Le Bon also harmonized with Sting, and he would do the same later on Duran side project Arcadia.
Sting and Duran's John Taylor both played bass for Band Aid, Taylor wrote in his memoir, "In the Pleasure Groove.”
The single was born out of '80s excess and was penned quickly by Midge Ure and Geldof, who once told The Daily Mail that it was the worst song in the world.
But "Do They Know It's Christmas?" raised millions for charity. The song would be rerecorded twice, and the Live Aid concept was revived to raise awareness of climate change, as well. Duran would take part in Live Earth in 2007.
The members of Duran Duran still do their part for charity, including Taylor's efforts with the Amy Winehouse Foundation, which provides rehab for teens, and Le Bon's role with Children's Air Ambulance, which transfers critically ill youngsters across England and Wales for care.
When you hear “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” this holiday season, reflect on what Le Bon recently told Rolling Stone:
Band Aid “wasn’t about politics, it was about saving lives.”
And by raising funds and awareness, it did.
Adapted from original post from Dec. 7, 2012
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