Bob Does Jack

It seems millions of Italians have a huge admiration for Bob Geldof’s humanitarian efforts to reduce global famine and encourage Third World trade, but many would still prefer not having to listen to him sing.

The Live Aid and Live 8 founder and driving force seems to have got the message, canceling July 21-22 arena shows in Rome and Milan, after only a handful of people bought tickets.

Only 45 people stumped up euro 46 to see the 51-year-old singer/songwriter at the 12,000-capacity Milan Civic Arena.

“It seems Italy does not love me when I sing,” he told Corriere della Sera as a similar-sized show at Rome’s Foro Italico did the same sort of business.

The national Il Giornale noted that Geldof had once predicted he would be remembered as a “great organizer of events” such as Live Aid and Live 8 rather than as a “rock star who wrote ‘I Don’t Like Mondays,'” but the paper still pointed out that “nobody anticipated a debacle like this.”

Little-known promoter Francesco Iacovone had a list of reasons why it all went wrong, including a “boycott” – though he didn’t make it clear why or by whom – and “sabotage.” He said some Internet sites claimed both shows were sold out, stopping people from buying tickets.

A few Italian newspapers contrasted what they’re describing as “the Geldof fiasco” with the “collective hysteria” that greeted Robbie Williams over the same weekend. About 70,000 turned up to his show at the Milan’s San Siro Stadium.

They also reported Geldof promising to return to Italy to play some free shows in September.

– John Gammon