Band Aid 30 records new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' in London

LONDON, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Dozens of British and Irish musicians took part in the Band Aid 30 charity recording of "Do They Know It's Christmas?" in London Saturday.

The session was organized by rocker Bob Geldof to raise money and awareness for those impacted by the Ebola virus. Among the artists who sang the re-worked version of the holiday classic were One Direction, Rita Ora, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Sam Smith, Chris Martin and Bono.

The song will get its U.K. television premiere on The X Factor Sunday and the record will go on sale Monday.

Geldof talked to the BBC about what he said to the musicians just before they headed into the studio this weekend.

"I said: 'OK, this is what it's about. When you sing this, be aware that the rest of the world will be singing it with you.' I explained the situation in West Africa. I explained what the United Nations were saying, explained what we could do."

The original 1984 song -- which Geldof and Midge Ure wrote and masterminded the recording of -- featured the vocals of Sting, George Michael, Bono, Phil Collins, Boy George and scores of other British and Irish singers. The single raised millions of dollars for those in famine-ravaged Ethiopia.