He, along with Midge Ure, wrote a pop song: 'Do they know it's Christmas?' it was sung by Band Aid & led to the Live Aid concerts. He was, quite rightly, given an honourary knighthood, if for nothing else, trying to make a difference.
He was the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats. He co-organized Live Aid, co-wrote "Do They Know It's Christmas" (Band Aid), and participated in other charity projects.