The Boomtown Rats

[Theblip]

A 90 minute documentary on BBC2 on a Saturday night....really? Were The Boomtown Rats as good and significant as Bob Geldof thinks they are?

[Prudie]

I thought the same but I think it's focussed on Live Aid which was a big deal.

[andy-hughes]

I haven't watched it yet - I'll get back to you.

It could be a similar situation to Brian Eno's assessment of the Velvet Underground's first album - "Only about two hundred people actually bought it, but every one of them went out and formed a band."

[thesshhh]

Half an hour to go and no mention of Live Aid yet.... Totally overrated band. One great single, that’s about it

[237SJ]

I never liked the Boomtown Rats but I suppose they are of their time. I met Geldof at work many years ago. He was a right miserable git.

[tomus42]

I'm watching it now and I remember them at the time. They had a few hits but they were never that good or influential. It's only because of band aid/live aid that Bob Geldof is as well known as he is today.

[Mamyalynne]

I'm finding it interesting, we have reached Live Aid now.

[andy-hughes]

I liked them - their first album was excellent, and I think Geldof's stage presence when they played Rat Trap on Top Of The Pops was just like an early Mick Jagger.

[thesshhh]

Sinead O’Connor: “I can’t think of a band who were greater than The Boomtown Rats.” Give us a break!

[tonyav]

Never floated my boat, a couple of hit's and then they were gone.

[Mamyalynne]

Sinead is allowed her opinion as are we all.

They weren't my favourites but they had talent.

[Theland]

Get ready for Covaid, and a queue of 'artistes', ready to get their gobs on the telly, make a record, and bore us all stiff.

[Mamyalynne]

There's already been fundraising music done, online obviously.

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // Get ready for Covaid, and a queue of 'artistes', ready to get their gobs on the telly, make a record, and bore us all stiff. //

Such cynicism!

If it's a good cause, I am happy to risk boredom.

[Theland]

A, ''Has Beens,'' Fest?

[JimF]

They're one of my favourite bands. Their first three albums are absolutely superb, and so much more than their string of hit singles.

No grime here, Paddy!

[jno]

releasing a new album, aren't they?

[JimF]

Not as far as I know, highly unlikely so soon after "Citizens of Boomtown" earlier this year.

[Mozz71]

//Were The Boomtown Rats as good and significant as Bob Geldof thinks they are?//

They really were. Sadly, they were overshadowed by Geldof's "saintliness".

[elliemay1]

Didn't like the way they tore up photos of John Travolta etc on T.O.T.P

[gness]

Not a great fan of The Boomtown Rats but I adore Bob Geldof. Not only for the man he is but for how he helped to change Ireland for the better.