Bob Geldof Says Live Aid Damaged His Music Career

It's widely regarded as one of the biggest music events in history, but Bob Geldof has mixed feelings about the 1985 charity bash 'Live Aid.'

Reflecting on his role with the event, the Boomtown Rats singer tells London's Evening Standard, "It's completely damaged my ability to do the thing I love. If it hadn't happened, I think I would have been able to make the transition from the Boomtown Rats to a solo thing more like Paul Weller or Sting." The singer says that while he's proud of what his activism has accomplished over the years, it's also come at the expense of his music career.

Geldof has been knighted for his work, but downplays the honor. He explained, "I am not a national treasure and have no desire to be." Still, Geldof continues to step up and use his connections to address the issues that need to be addressed.

He tells the paper that he's currently chairing a fund that's seeking to invest $450 million in Africa. The plan is to switch the emphasis from aiding those that live there to helping build the continent's trade with other countries. He also adds that seven of the ten fastest-growing economies in the world are located in Africa.