Bono, Robert Plant and Roger Taylor Join Band Aid 30 Recording Session

The mission -- this time to fund Ebola research, rather than famine relief -- and most of the faces were different. But a group of concerned musicians today (Nov. 15) recreated the spirit of Band Aid, some three decades later in the same studio.

They recorded a new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?,' which raised millions to help the hungry in Ethiopia in 1984. On hand again was U2's Bono, who said, “I just wish we didn’t have to do this. There will come a time when we won’t.”

Queen's Roger Taylor took part; Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant was also reportedly on hand. They were joined by Sinead O'Connor, Chris Martin from Coldplay and Seal, along with Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande, Bastille singer Dan Smith, Rita Ora and Sam Smith, among others. Adele was reportedly invited, but was a no show.

One Direction sang the song's opening lyric, which had originally been handled by Paul Young. Bono's memorable line -- “and tonight thank God it’s them instead of you” -- has been updated, as well. Instead, he sang “Well, tonight we’re reaching out and touching you.”

Bob Geldof once again organized the supergroup, along with Midge Ure. "It really doesn’t matter if you don’t like this song," Geldof said. "It doesn’t matter if you hate the artists. What matters is that you buy the record."

This new version will be made available exclusively for download on Monday. It will not be released to music streaming services like Spotify until January.