Bob Geldof fires up Band Aid 30 to battle Ebola

Bob Geldofis firing up a star-studded musicalcampaign to battle Ebola, three decades after his original Band Aid movement took onfamine in Ethiopia.

• VIDEO|One-on-one with BobGeldof

The Irish musician and activist launchedBand Aid 30 on Monday in London with his long time collaborator, Scottish musician MidgeUre.The pair founded the original Band Aid movement in 1984, recording the chart toppingcharity singleDo They Know It's Christmas.

The original trackfeatured big stars of the day, such as Boy George, George Michael, Bono and Sting. Itsold 3.7 million copies and raised $14 million for famine relief.

Inspired by bravery

"I dont like doing this stuff. Its quite boring," Geldof admitted."Its quite embarrassing calling people you dont know and other artists."

But,the 60-year-old said, it was the "phenomenal bravery" of the nurses and doctors heading to West Africa to treat Ebola patientsthat inspired him to pick up the phone to call "some of the giants from the past."

Bono, Coldplay and boy bandOne Directionare just a few of the bestselling artists whohave signed on record the 2014 version.Do They Know It's Christmashas also been recorded in 1989 and 2004.

'Buy this thing'

The latest version will be available on CD and download on Nov. 17 with proceeds going to fight Ebola a diseaseGeldof regards as "afilthy little virus."

"It renders humans untouchable, and that is sickening," Geldof said.

"Mothers cant comfort their children in their dying hours.Lovers cant cradle each other. Wives cant hold their husbands' hands. People are chased down streets because of it."

The music industry has gone through a wholesaletransformation since Geldof and Urefirst floated their groundbreaking pop music campaign 30 years ago. And Geldof is keenly aware of the threat that digital piracy andfree music sharing present toBand Aid 30's success.

"It really doesnt matter if you dont like this song," he said. "It really doesnt matter if you hate the artists. It really doesnt matter if it turns out to be a lousy recording. What you have to do is buy this thing."