Bob Geldof tells BBC to ‘wise up’ during interview with Zoe Ball
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The Irish singer-songwriter was left frustrated with the environmental movement, who often block roads during their protests. The 71-year-old admitted he was furious after he was caught up in the chaos. A political activist himself, Geldolf confessed he probably would have joined in with the demonstrations himself if he were 18, but went on to say that “annoying people” don’t always work when trying to change policy.
One of the most famous 1970s rock stars, Geldof was the lead singer of the Boomtown Rats, who achieved popularity as part of the punk rock movement.
However, he is also well-known for his activism, having been a founding member of the charity supergroup Band Aid to help raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Geldof also went on to play a pivotal role in organising the Live Aid charity concert in 1985 and Live 8 in 2005.
Weighing in on the extinction rebellion campaign, he explained his thoughts on the movement.
“The climate activists are 1,000 per cent right!” he argued, however, he went on to say why he thinks they should change their tactics.
“And 1,000 percent I support them. It’s offensive to destroy Van Gogh’s genius.
“That achieves nothing. But it was clever to throw it on the glass knowing it wouldn’t be destroyed.
Talking to the Radio Times, he added: “That’s just annoying. And annoying is quite good.”
“I was driving to Hyde Park when the Extinction Rebellion people blocked it and I was f*****g furious.
“But I wasn’t railing against them. I was thinking, ‘If I was 18, would I be there?’ and the answer is yes.
“Annoying people into policy change may not work.” Bob’s activism days are certainly not behind him though.
Last year, he spoke out in support of the Save Kent’s Green Spaces action group and took part in the “Day of Action” organised by the grassroots group Save Kent’s Green Spaces.
At the moment, the Just Stop Oil movement is facing a backlash after groups took part in a number of controversial stunts.
One included activists pouring canned soup on a Van Gogh painting, while others climbed the Queen Elizabeth II bridge in Dartford, forcing authorities to close the throughway to traffic.
Just Stop Oil’s campaign will continue for the remainder of the month, with events planned until October 30.
A spokeswoman told Express Online that the organisation plans to hold a “large march” in November.
She pledged Just Stop Oil is “not stopping”, adding the disruption “will continue”.
And what happens for the rest of the month is an “open question”.
Just Stop Oil is using activism to persuade ministers to meet its demands.
The group wants the Government to make a statement “that it will immediately halt all future licensing and consents for the exploration, development and production of fossil fuels in the UK”.
The full interview with Bob Geldof is available to read in this week’s Radio Times.
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