Jody Watley On Anniversary of The Historic Band Aid Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas”

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Admin

Bananarama, Jody Watley, Francis Rossi (Staus Quo)

The Historic Supergroup -“Band Aid” Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”

November 25,1984

While living in London after my departure from Shalamar in 1983, I’d signed a spec Solo deal with Phonogram/Mercury Records in 1984.

Jody Watley in 1984. Photography by Steve Rappaport

I received a call from Mariella Frostrup, who was the publicist for Phonogram Records U.K. at the time. Mariella didn’t give a lot of details about the session, just that I really needed to be there at request of Sir Bob Geldof as well who was organizing a recording session.

None of us really knew the magnitude of what it would be, we all turned up casually – some of the artists would joke they were coming from the pub or clubbing the night before.. it was all very low key when invited. One of the things that makes it so organic looking is no one was really done up for the cameras so to speak.

The result was “Do The Know It’s Christmas” the name of the group – Band Aid. Four days later it was released in the UK along with a powerful documentary and it has been played during the holiday season since. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” remains one of the biggest singles of all time in the U.K. and mega seller worldwide.

It’s an experience none of us involved will ever forget and a song that made a huge difference, setting the bar for other charity singles to follow.

I’ve said through the years, meeting George Michael and asking if he’d do a duet with me – which he did when I returned to America and signed with MCA Records recording my proper solo debut and looking back on it, it’s also notable I am the only black female artist and only 1 of 4 women in total. To be a part of this historic recording as my first solo endeavor is truly a astounding.

Some artists declined including other female from what I was told back then. To be a part of a historic single as the first thing I did after leaving and post Shalamar is such a gift.

The single went straight to Number 1, was front page news and has raised millions of dollars for famine relief and remains a milestone Christmas single despite a regrettable lyric (tonight thank God it’s them instead of you) created in the moment by the writers of the song as they have later acknowledged – the intent of the song is so very positive. Feed The World – Let Them Know It’s Christmas Time Again. That message and sentiment will always remain, help those in need.

Many of us performed the song on Top Of The Pops as well you can find it on Youtube along with original video.

After Band Aid two 12″ singles (Where The Boys Are and Girls Night Out) were released in 1984 and 1985 as JODY. I already had a vision in style (edgy and fashion forward) hard hitting dance music with an eye of not being labeled or marketed as ‘formerly of’. I was intent to establish my own identity solo with a decidedly more funky dance pop vibe as a debut. I’d written with Bruce Woolley of The Buggles and produced by The Art Of Noise before they were The Art Of Noise (Anne Dudley, J.J. Jeckzalik) with engineer Gary Langan. Ultimately, the label and I weren’t on same page and eventually I moved back to America, signed a new deal with MCA – the rest is solo history!

A Monumental Recording. Band Aid. Do They Know It’s Christmas 1984. Classic Rewind.

Posted on November 24, 2021 by Admin

The Historic Band Aid Single “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”

November 25,1984

While living in London -in one incredible day; I was fortunate to be asked to be a part of this monumental recording session and single along with the best of the best of British pop and rock at the time. I received a phone call from Mariella Frostup, publicist at the time of Phonogram Records which had signed me to a one album recording deal (never finished the album due to creative differences with label head Chris Briggs).

None of us really knew the magnitude of what it would be, it was all very low key when invited. The result was “Do The Know It’s Christmas” the name of the group – Band Aid. Four days later it was released in the UK along with a powerful documentary and it has been played during the holiday season since. “Do They Know It’s Christmas” remains one of the biggest singles of all time in the U.K. and mega seller worldwide.

It’s an experience none of us involved will ever forget and a song that made a huge difference, setting the bar for other charity singles to follow.

I’ve said through the years, meeting George Michael and asking if he’d do a duet with me – which he did when I returned to America and signed with MCA Records recording my proper solo debut.

Many of us performed the song on Top Of The Pops as well.

Jody Watley. Banarama (Siobhan, Sarah, Keren,) Francis Rossi (Status Quo)

The list of all of the artists involved.

U2 (Bono), Phil Collins, Bob Geldof, Steve Norman, Duran Duran (John Taylor, Simon Le Bon, Roger Taylor, Andy Taylor, Nick Rhodes), Paul Young, Spandau Ballet (Tony Hadley, Martin Kemp, Gary Kemp, Martin Ware, Steve Norman, John Keeble), Chris Cross, Midge Ure (Ultra Vox), Simon Crow (The Boomtown Rats), Marilyn, Glenn Gregory (Heaven 17), Jody Watley, Paul Weller, Kool & The Gang (James “JT” Taylor, Robert Bell, Dennis Thomas), George Michael, Culture Club (Boy George, Jon Moss), Sting, Johnny Fingers – Rick Parfitt, Franics Rossi (Status Quo), Siohban Fahey, Keren Woodward, Sarah Dallin (Bananarama)

The Commemorative Magazine – George Michael, Sir Bob Geldof, Sting, Simon LeBon; John Taylor, Rick Parfitt, Jody Watley & Banarama (Siobhan, Karen, Sarah), Boy George, Sir Bob Geldof

The magazine itself was probably 10 pages, these are a selected few. Band Aid was also on the cover of every major paper in the United Kingdom – all copies sold out.

Watch the video on Youtube.

Jody Watley. The Historic Band Aid Do They Know It’s Christmas Experience

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Admin

It began with a phone call. I’d been living on London with my best friend Jermaine Stewart after leaving my post as the original female lead vocalist of Shalamar on the 4th of July in 1983. The phone call came from Mariella Frostup, who at the time was the publicist for Phonogram Records. I’m told this was at the behest of organizer Sir Bob Geldof. The only other American act included were members of Kool and the Gang with lead vocalist J.T. Taylor who were touring the UK at the time with a string of hits as well.

As a side note, Phonogram was very keen to sign me as a solo artist at the time at the helm of executive Chris Briggs – I feel so blessed to have been a part of this historic musical charity event helping to raise millions of dollars which also subsequently inspired USA For Africa.

Siobhan Fahey, Jody Watley, Midge Ure, Karen Woodward, Sara Dallin

This Official Band Aid Magazine with it’s 40 pages was sold in local newsstands and convenience stores selling-out quickly for 1.25 p. Imagine if we’d all had smartphones, iPhones, etc. with cameras and video back then to capture the recording and the total camaraderie and slight chaos that went on that day. At the time I thought Bananarama blowing cigarette smoke my way were unfriendly but we had a good laugh about it recently at Giorgio’s dancing the night away. The Mr. Marilyn keep the atmosphere light with his quick wit and exchanges with Boy George and everyone.