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80s pop icon who penned smash hit Christmas song is unrecognisable as he boards budget Ryanair flight – but can YOU guess who it is?

BBG News

This week, a well-known singer from the 1980s who composed a beloved holiday tune was spotted boarding a Ryanair plane and seemed completely different from his past appearances.

40 years back, the well-known musician teamed up with Bob Geldof to organize the legendary two-venue Live Aid concerts. They gathered many top artists from that decade to perform and collect funds for the Ethiopian famine relief effort.

In collaboration with Band Aid, he helped write and produce one of the most iconic Christmas songs, “Do They Know It’s Christmas,” a year prior.

In the 70s and the early 80s, a Scottish musician traveled through various bands. It wasn’t until 1979 that he found substantial success with a rejuvenated band. Two years after that, they released the massive hit “Vienna”.

But can you guess who the almost forgotten star is? 

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Indeed, the gentleman relaxing on a RyanAir flight headed for Dublin is no one less than Midge Ure, a renowned musician known for his work with Ultravox, Thin Lizzy, and Visage, at the age of 71.

Nowadays, the grey fox appears noticeably distinct from how he looked at the peak of his popularity, now bearing a full beard rather than his former mustache.

Dressed in a black cap and glasses, the iconic figure from the ’80s posted a selfie on Instagram, showing himself en route to a performance in Dublin.

Recognizing the Ryanair ticket, he humorously titled the photo: “Heading to Dublin. The bright yellow and blue hint at it. Such glamour!

Following his successful performance in the Irish capital, the Glaswegian musician stood for another picture while waiting at customs for his flight. In that moment, it was apparent he had shaved off his beard specifically for the concert.

‘Great night at Rewind Dublin,’ he wrote with the post.

‘Fantastic crowd, fantastic weather, and fantastic music – a perfect trio! Coming up next at Glasgow’s Kennington Bandstand.’

Midge’s journey on a commercial flight is a far cry from his successful days as part of Ultravox.

Indeed, his triumph was so remarkable that just a few years following Band Aid, he received a one million pound advance from his recording company at the age of 71.

However, after four years, the musician discovered himself owing nearly half a million dollars due to taxes and VAT, forcing him to liquidate his possessions to meet these financial obligations.

His monetary struggles started following his purchase of a Caribbean home, which faced an onslaught of misfortune – from being infested with termites, damaged by a hurricane, and affected by a volcanic eruption.

2005 saw Midge sharing with The Guardian about a period where everything functioned flawlessly for him. He had specific savings accounts set up for his VAT, allowing him to purchase items he desired without financial stress.

Or:

In an interview with The Guardian in 2005, Midge spoke of a time when things ran smoothly and effortlessly for him. He managed his VAT payments by setting aside funds in designated accounts, which enabled him to buy whatever he wanted without worrying about finances.

In our separation, the joint income wasn’t sufficient to meet my new living costs and alimony obligations, leaving me financially strained.

It seems that my supervisors have begun withdrawing funds from our tax accounts, feeling assured that additional financial support is imminent.

He confessed, “I discovered myself residing in a spacious eight-bedroom home in Chiswick, complete with a garage filled with vintage cars and motorcycles that required selling. The experience was quite humbling.

After recently reconciling with his old bandmate Bob Geldof, 73, during their performance at Wembley Stadium last month for the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, the rocker has now scheduled a fresh series of concerts.

The duo reunited to unveil the upcoming cast recording of Just for One Day: The Live Aid Musical before its premiere on London’s West End stage. They were spotted together at the famous English sports venue, where they posed pitch-side for photos.

9 billion individuals worldwide watched as these two concerts managed to accumulate a staggering £150 million collectively for famine aid efforts.

Approximately seven months following the debut of the Band Aid charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, Bob and Midge organized a gathering of the 1980s’ most prominent artists for two massive concerts, one at Wembley Stadium in London and another at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia.

As a dedicated music enthusiast, I found myself immersed in the vibrant musical landscapes of both London and Philadelphia during those times. Legendary acts like David Bowie, Sir Paul McCartney, Status Quo, Sir Elton John, and Queen graced the stages of London, while Black Sabbath, Joan Baez, Run D.M.C, and The Beach Boys added their star power to the Philadelphia scene, creating a rich tapestry of sounds that continue to resonate.

Band Aid marked the highest point in Midge’s illustrious career, which commenced with a 1976 number one hit single titled “Forever And Ever” during their time in the group Slik.

Afterward, he spent a short time with the new wave band Rich Kids, followed by founding Visage in 1978 alongside Rusty Egan and main vocalist Steve Strange.

The group had a series of popular songs like “Fade To Grey” and hit albums such as “Visage” and “The Anvil,” but internal conflicts eventually led them to part ways.

Afterward, he became a member of Thin Lizzy in the year 1979. Later on in the same year, he reassembled Ultravox, taking on the roles of their lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist.

As Vienna topped the charts in 1981, Midge was also juggling his roles in Visage and Thin Lizzy.

Later, they managed to release four top 10 albums and a chart-topping single titled “Dancing With Tears In My Eyes.” Following this success, their compilation album was put out, achieving triple platinum certification.

After devoting himself to his solo endeavors, Midge achieved a top-charting single titled “If I Was” in 1985 and a second album, “The Gift,” peaked at number two on the charts during the same year.

After overseeing Live 8 in 2005, Midge was awarded an OBE. 

In the year 1985, he tied the knot with television host Annabel Giles. They welcomed a child named Molly Lorenne into their family before parting ways in 1989 following a divorce.

Back in 2003, he got married to his second spouse, actress Sheridan Forbes. Together, they reside in the city of Bath and share three lovely daughters: Kitty (age 32), Ruby (age 28), and Flossie (age 26).

Reflecting on last year, I, a devoted companion, honored my fellow bandmate and dear friend, Chris Cross of Ultravox, with a heartfelt tribute. We not only collaborated side by side but also created music and directed videos together – a bond that transcended the stage.

As a die-hard devotee, I can honestly say that my bond with you was forged instantly, not just as friends, but as Ultravox brothers. Time and distance couldn’t break this connection; it felt like no time had passed when we reunited, as if the years between us were mere figments of imagination. You were the binding force that kept our band united, a testament to your unwavering dedication.

In all the chaos, you provided reason and added a touch of unpredictability to our lives. It’s been wonderful journeying and evolving alongside you. You are deeply cherished and sorely missed, dear companion.

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2025-06-11 17:55

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