1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia out the first airdrops from Hercules C-130s delivering food to the starving people. Other countries including Sweden, East and West Germany, Poland, Canada, United States and the Soviet Union were also involved in the international response. Buerk's news piece on the BBC was seen by Irish singer Bob Geldof, who quickly organised the charity supergroup Band Aid, primarily made up of the biggest British and Irish artists of the era. Their single, "Do They Know It's Christmas?", was released on 3 December 1984 and became Britain's best-selling single within a few weeks, eventually selling 3.69 million copies domestically. It raised
The Venetians (Australian band) October-November 1984. This led to tours supporting Icehouse and Nik Kershaw. By 1985 they were an Australian live attraction in their own right. The band released the album's second single, "Shine the Light" (February 1985), which reached the top 100. Near the end of 1985 the Venetians went into the studio with producer Mark Opitz to record two tracks, which were issued as their next single, "So Much for Love" (December 1985). The band started working with producer, Peter Blyton, on their second album, "Calling in the Lions" (June 1986). "So Much For Love" peaked at number three on the