Sir Bob Geldof joined Absolute Radio for an exclusive interview before the Boomtown Rats re-unite and take to the stage this Sunday for the first time in 26 years at this year’s Isle of Wight Festival.
Geldof hints at a tie-up between Bon Jovi and the Boomtown Rats on stage at the Isle of Wight:“I know this sounds really matey but usually when he plays here I get up on stage and do a tune with him because he is a mad Rats fan.”
When asked if he’d do the same at Isle of Wight Bob said “Maybe, maybe. Say no more.”
The Boomtown Rats will play their set on Sunday afternoon warming up the stage for headliners Bon Jovi. Geldof spoke fondly of Jon Bon Jovi: “He's a seriously good guy and he has been a good friend. And for all that stuff that we have done like Live Aid and Live 8, he has pitched up and done it whenever we have asked him with the full band; when he comes over usually I get up and do a Rats song with him because he likes doing them. So, I am really more than happy to do warm up for a mate.”
Bon talks about how awkward it was when the Rats got back together to rehearse: “Yeah, awkward...after twenty seven years of everyone going off their separate ways and going around the world doing this, that and the other; all coming back and the only foundation you have together is this music and this band.
He continued: “We were glad to see each other and you have a coffee and that, you're having a bit of craic but the jokes are all from twenty six years ago or thirty years ago, whenever we started in '75. And then suddenly you are playing and that brings it right up to the moment.”
Bob will be travelling to the Island in style, hitching a ride with his mate who pilots a helicopter in exchange for a backstage pass: “We get there late on Saturday night. The other Rats will have gone down, they will be in Portsmouth. So lucky for me, I have got a mate with a helicopter who said he would take us down in exchange for a backstage pass so that was done instantly. And the others, I think, are getting some inflatable canoe or something across to the island.”
Bob talks about good friend David Bowie and says that he doesn't think Bowie will ever perform live again. He also says that he's heard from mutual friends that Bowie is 'surprised and very pleased' with how well the new music has been received: “No, I don't think it is a comeback for him. I think he is surprised and he's pleased with attention. Millions of people have gone to see the amazing David Bowie exhibition at the V & A and if you are outside London, it’s worth coming down just to see that. I don't think he is going to play again, I really don't think that. I know him fairly well.”
Bob doesn’t rule out further Rats gigs (but doesn’t confirm any either): “We're going to have a look at it and I don't think it's a long term thing; if something crops up post-the Isle of Wight then sure but I'll just be happy with that. What a way to just say "Here we are and there we go!"
Absolute Radio will be broadcasting live from the Isle of Wight Festival all weekend with exclusive artist interviews and live, uninterrupted stage sets from the star studded line-up. DJ’s Pete Donaldson and Sarah Champion will bring you all of the latest backstage gossip every day, taking to the airwaves on the Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday.
For those Absolute Radio listeners not lucky enough to have tickets to the festival the station will bring the legendary atmosphere to them with live and uninterrupted performances from Paul Weller on Friday 14th, Ben Howard on Saturday 15th and Bon Jovi on Sunday 16th.
There will be tons of added content and extra coverage for mobile and online too at www.absoluteradio.co.uk, Facebook and Twitter @absoluteradio with exclusive video interviews, news and more.
