...having not heard them for ages. Well worth the £2 I paid for it!

I wouldn't say it was flawless but some great tunes. They seem to have been written out of history now - for instance, Rat Trap was a great single, number one, but when was the last time you heard it on the radio?

In 1979 I was 10 and The Boomtown Rats were my favourite group. The Fine Art of Surfacing was the first album I owned. I played it to death. Every day. Stood in front of the mirror in my parents' bedroom with a hairbrush microphone and pretended to be Bob Geldof.

I remember listening to the Top 40 countdown on Radio 1 and waiting to hear at what position Diamond Smiles had entered the chart. To say I was excited would be something of an understatement. This was *my* band and they had to be in the Top 10 at the very least, didn't they? Number 16. An insult! I was miserable. The Boomtown Rats deserved better than Number bloody 16!

Anyway, I don't think I'd heard that song for 25 years until 5 minutes ago... and I could hardly remember it. This was a song I would play over and over and over again, but it hadn't stayed with me. I Don't Like Mondays, yes, but sadly not Diamond Smiles.

It's sad for me to admit, but I don't think it's much cop. I listened to Someone's Looking at You afterwards and that didn't exactly do it for me either.

Pity when our youthful infatuations don't pass muster in later life...

Bob Geldof has undoubtedly added to the gaiety of the nation(s), and regardless of reservations about the lasting impact (and possible unintended consequences) of Band/Live Aid, I believe he was truly sincere in what he was trying to do.

Musically though, I'm afraid IDLM is the only one that stands out for me*. No shame in that as it's an absolute belter of a single.

*OK - Rat Trap and Banana Republic as well ;-)

was their moment all the rest was incidental. Having said that DLM is a song of such quality as to be one of the few that we all nod our heads at and remember fondly whether we like to admit it or not.

I really like them too.... and I think Diamond Smiles is one of their best songs - I must admit to a strange penchant for death songs though and this is very filmic.
I think The Boomtown Rats had three main problems (not with me):
1. Bob Geldof got a bit too big for his boots
2. They were never a punk band but seemed to be criticised for not being - never really worked that one out.
3. They made one too many albums.
I re-bought the albums when they were released expanded on CD a few years ago and they mostly stand the test of time. I can still picture the first time I saw them live which was the first time I ever heard Rat Trap. There aren't many bands that play an unknown song that stands out so majestically.

All of the above is all well & good,BUT my fave BR single came thundering out of the Sennheisers at the gym just this morning. Great pop music is about moments and when His Bobness goes “M m m m m Mary” in Mary of the 4th Form, the Pop Planets align and all's right with the world.

As I recall - the summer of '78 was dominated by bloody Grease music, and when Rat Trap went to No. 1, Geldof tore a photo of Travolta in half on TOTP. Man, revolution was in the air.

I too have a soft spot for Diamond Smiles. And ...Mondays was one of those rare records that are (a) unique and (b) v popular. See also Wuthering Heights and Are Friends Electric from the same period.

embarrassing actually

My first band used to cover (I Never Loved) Eva Braun. Had a listen just now and it still stands up.

I know they were popular, (still are to many, apparently, and nowt wrong with that!) and good on them for finding an audience. But they always struck me as a showband that hit lucky by hitching a ride on the punk bandwagon.

Pyjamas! A singer who couldn't sing, was his own biggest fan, and went on to feed the world!

While I've no time for Geldof as a rock star, I've nothing but admiration for how he set out to use his fame for the greater good.

Absolutely truly awful.

One good song (Rat Trap), which is such a considered rip off of the E Street Band that Bruce should get a royalty cheque for it every now and then.

OOAA

At the Glasgow Apollo circa 1978 / 79. Their first song that night was Mary of the Fourth Form and even now when I hear that song I get shivers up my spine. Don't play their records these days but no embarrassment from me in liking them at the time. I got seriously into music after that first night at The Apollo so I've got a lot to thank them for!

A fine singles band, decent albums band, great live act, plus an undeniably charismatic frontman who gave great quote - what wasn't to like?

My Guinness book tells me that in real terms their career was in & out in just 3 years, perhaps that wasn't enough to build up a long-term following? Also strange to be reminded that they were still going (and having minor chart entries) right up to Band Aid - the impression always given is that the Rats hadn't done anything for years before Saint Bob saw that news broadcast...

listen to any of their stuff now, but back in Dec '78 or it may have been '79, saw them at the Brixton Academy and thought they were superb. They weren't po faced, certainly weren't cool, had a few good tunes...no harm done really.

... is Geldof's finest moment. Great album.

Very of their time though. Not really punk but filled the remit of the moment. The acceptable face.

I love them.