NUMB VIEW with regina's words

2011-05-23T02:19:00.003+01:00

Free and Gratis

May 19, 2011

FREE and GRATIS!

Welcome to a new area on U2.com where we'll be hosting free graphics, photos, wallpaper and other cool stuff for you to take away. (Our subscribers, of course, get the biggest choice and the rarest content.)

Help yourself...and keep checking back as we'll be adding more content regularly.

U2.com

2011-05-23T02:14:00.000+01:00

A Class Act

May 19, 2011

Bono has recalled former Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald who has died in Dublin.

Mr FitzGerald, 85, served twice as Taoiseach between 1981 and 1987 at the head of Fine Gael/Labour coalition governments.

'The Queensbury rules amongst street fighters... a gentleman.' said Bono. 'He rebranded Ireland with his grace and intellect. I remember feeling very proud that he was our leader. A class act, cut crystal, diamond mine of information, statistics, the detail of peoples lives, that he so cared about. Us.'

U2.com

2011-05-23T02:06:00.002+01:00

Radically Diferent

May 20, 2011

'If you compare the set list of the opening of this tour to what we're doing now it's radically different, as is a lot of the show imagery and the production effects.'

On the eve of the US and Canadian dates, Edge reflects on how U2360° has changed since opening night in Barcelona in June 2009.

U2.com

2011-05-23T01:56:00.001+01:00

Special Olympics Denver

May 20, 2011

Tonight in Denver - Sydney, Skylar and Cody from Grandview Highschool will attend a dress rehearsal of U2 360. The three participate in a special education spirit programme organised by the Special Olympics in Colorado.

Tonight's dress rehearsal will be the first time the teenagers have seen U2 in concert and they were pretty excited to meet U2 and have their picture with The Claw. U2 performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympics in 2003. This is third time the band have opened up a dress rehearsal to participants of the Special Olympics and other invited guests - with previous events taking place in Brussels and Barcelona.

U2.com

2011-05-23T01:48:00.002+01:00

The Edge Remembers Red Rocks

May 21, 2011

With the U2360° Tour kicking off in Denver, the Edge remembers the band playing at Red Rocks. As it turned out the concert went well and became their first live recording, released as 'Under A Blood Red Sky'. Listen in to how they played in the middle of a rain cloud and how important this concert was.

U2.com

2011-05-23T01:35:00.002+01:00

'Louder Than Any Rock Band...'

May 21, 2011

'You who across such distances sent such support to Burma - we thank you: students, teachers, workers, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, music fans - U2 fans like me.
'When you raise your voices we hear them in our country and around the world, they are louder than any rock band, than any army, than rocket fire or fighter jet...'

Remarkable moment tonight as the North American tour opened in Denver when Aung San Suu Kyi, sent a video message thanking U2 fans for campaigning for the freedom of the people of Burma.

'Your voices,' she said, 'Are the future - the voices of reason, equality and justice.'

As Bono puts it, Aung San Suu Kyi is to Asia what Nelson Mandela is to Africa and only recently did the military government release her from nearly 20 years of house arrest.
'She's out now and that's very special for us, for U2 fans and for Amnesty International who campaigned for her release,' said Bono, 'This campaigning stuff really works.
'Aung San Suu Kyi wanted to say thanks, but also to remember all the remaining prisoners. This is a message of love from Colorado to south-east Asia...'

In fact this was a pretty unique night all around, the band opening up their postponed US and Canada dates, a year to the night that Bono left surgery in Munich and with a set list transformed from the one that opened this tour nearly two years ago.

Bono thanked a passionate Denver audience for their patience. 'I thank God... and the Germans! Through the wonders of science I'm not just fixed, I'm better! Bono 2.0...'

It was a good moment to introduce the wonders of the band.

'A wonder of nature, Adam Clayton became a father in the last year, still a young buck though!
'Part-Terminator part Duracell Bunny....Larry Mullen Jr on drums...
'In the place where art meets science, the super hero who was bitten by a spider and turned into a nerd...on guitar, The Edge.'

And reiterating his thanks for the patience of the fans, we were into one of the great fan favourites All I Want Is You - one of ten tracks that were not in the show when the band began their first leg of US/Canada dates.

The rain, which had been threatening all week, held off and we were set for a special evening.
Special with the Denver audience welcoming some of their own when The Fray were first up on stage in their home town.
Special because this is the home town of a legendary member of the U2 crew 'who's been looking after Edge's guitars for nearly 25 years. Stand up Dallas Schoo...'
Special because this is Red Rocks country, where Under A Blood Red Sky was recorded... how else would you introduce Sunday Bloody Sunday?
'Where's Red Rocks? Right here!' And it felt like it was.
And special because despite all the predictions in the end the world didn't end - but they'd prepared a song for it. Just in case.
'This is for the Rev Harold Camping.' explained Bono, introducing Until The End of the World. 'Such a disappointment... somewhere feels like the end of world but not right here!'

U2.com

2011-04-15T02:32:00.012+01:00

I was in the area for the people with disability (I'm in the left side with black shirt)

My sister Patricia and my nephew Enzo, who loves a lot U2, during his 1st (ever) show

Enzo and his Music Rising shirt

2011-01-20T18:24:00.003Z

Op-Ed Guest Columnist
What I Learned From Sargent Shriver
By BONO

Published: January 19, 2011

The Irish are still mesmerized by the mythical place that is America, but in the ’60s our fascination got out of hand. I was not old enough to remember the sacrifices of the great generation who saved Europe in the Second World War, or to quite comprehend what was going on in Vietnam. But what I do remember, and cannot forget, is watching a man walk on the moon in 1969 and thinking here is a nation that finds joy in the impossible.

The Irish are still mesmerized by the mythical place that is America, but in the ’60s our fascination got out of hand. I was not old enough to remember the sacrifices of the great generation who saved Europe in the Second World War, or to quite comprehend what was going on in Vietnam. But what I do remember, and cannot forget, is watching a man walk on the moon in 1969 and thinking here is a nation that finds joy in the impossible.

The Irish saw the Kennedys as our own royal family out on loan to America. A million of them turned out on J.F.K.’s homecoming to see these patrician public servants who, despite their station, had no patience for the status quo. (They also loved that the Kennedys looked more WASP than any “Prod,” our familiar term for Protestant.)

I remember Bobby’s rolled-up sleeves, Jack’s jutted jaw and the message — a call to action — that the world didn’t have to be the way it was. Science and faith had found a perfect rhyme.

In the background, but hardly in the shadows, was Robert Sargent Shriver. A diamond intelligence, too bright to keep in the darkness. He was not Robert or Bob, he was Sarge, and for all the love in him, he knew that love was a tough word. Easy to say, tough to see it through. Love, yes, and peace, too, in no small measure; this was the ’60s but you wouldn’t know it just by looking at him. No long hair in the Shriver house, or rock ’n’ roll. He and his beautiful bride, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, would go to Mass every day — as much an act of rebellion against brutal modernity as it was an act of worship. Love, yes, but love as a brave act, a bold act, requiring toughness and sacrifice.

His faith demanded action, from him, from all of us. For the Word to become flesh, we had to become the eyes, the ears, the hands of a just God. Injustice could, in the words of the old spiritual, “Be Overcome.” Robert Sargent sang, “Make me a channel of your peace,” and became the song.

Make me a channel of your peace:

Where there is hatred let me bring your love.

Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord,

And where there’s doubt, true faith in you.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek,

So much to be consoled as to console.

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace,

Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope.

Where there is darkness, only light,

And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

The Peace Corps was Jack Kennedy’s creation but embodied Sargent Shriver’s spirit. Lyndon Johnson declared war on poverty but Sarge led the charge. These, and the Special Olympics, were as dramatic an incarnation of the ideas at the heart of America as the space program.

Robert Sargent Shriver changed the world more than a few times and, I am happy to say, changed my world forever. In the late ’90s, when the Jubilee 2000 campaign — which aimed to cancel the debts that the poorest nations owed to the richest — asked me to help in the United States, I called on the Shriver clan for help and advice. What I got were those things in spades, and a call to arms like a thump in the back.

In the years since, Bobby Shriver — Sarge’s oldest son — and I co-founded three fighting units in the war against global poverty: DATA, ONE and (RED). We may not yet know what it will take to finish the fight and silence suffering in our time, but we are flat out trying to live up to Sarge’s drill.

I have beautiful memories of Bobby and me sitting with his father and mother at the Shrivers’ kitchen table — the same team that gazed over J.F.K.’s shoulder — looking over our paltry attempts at speechifying, prodding and pushing us toward comprehensibility and credibility, a challenge when your son starts hanging round with a bleeding-heart Irish rock star.

Toward the end, when I visited Sarge as a frailer man, I was astonished by his good spirits and good humor. He had the room around him laughing out loud. I thought it a fitting final victory in a life that embodied service and transcended, so often, grave duty, that he had a certain weightlessness about him. Even then, his job nearly done, his light shone undiminished, and brightened us all.

Bono, the lead singer of the band U2 and a co-founder of the advocacy group ONE and (Product)RED, is a contributing columnist for The Times.

A version of this op-ed appeared in print on January 20, 2011, on page A27 of the New York edition..

nytimes

2011-01-14T20:12:00.003Z

Big names like Dylan, U2 dot producer Daniel Lanois' life story
Posted Wednesday, Jan. 12,
By Kevin Canfield
San Francisco Chronicle

Soul Mining: A
Soul Mining: A Musical Life
by Daniel Lanois
Faber and Faber, $26

view photos

With radio-ready hits like Sledgehammer, Big Time and In Your Eyes, Peter Gabriel's 1986 record, So, represented the biggest triumph in a long, successful career. But that doesn't mean it came together easily.

One day, it seems, the singer was writing a few verses in a barn in rural England, while next door the album's producer, Daniel Lanois, readied himself in Gabriel's recording studio. This usually worked well, Lanois explains in his new memoir, Soul Mining, but Gabriel would occasionally wander off, wasting precious time with pointless phone chat.

"Solution: the next time Peter went into the barn, I took these giant railway spikes and nailed him in," Lanois writes. "... I'm not sure that all the lyrics came out of that one session, but it was a good tone-setter for discipline, even if it almost got me deported from the West Country of England."

In the 25 years since this bit of makeshift carpentry, Lanois has positioned himself as one of the most successful producers in the business, the craftsman behind some of the era's finest albums: U2's The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, Bob Dylan's Oh Mercy and Time Out of Mind, Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball and Willie Nelson's Teatro (not to mention fellow Canadian Neil Young's recent Le Noise, an album that takes its title from Lanois' nickname). Accordingly, this book is bursting with memorable anecdotes about his collaborators, another of the debut author's many gifts to fans of rock and country music.

From Rick James to Brian Eno

Brief and episodic, Soul Mining begins on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River, where Lanois, born in 1959, "spoke only French until the age of ten." A love of music ran in the family, which was populated by fiddlers and singers. As a boy he spent a week's allowance on a toy pennywhistle, and over time he devised his own musical language.

Reproduced in the book, his Morse-code-like symbols look like nothing much -- until they're compared with the notations Lanois kept many years later when working with U2 (also shown in the book). Juxtaposed, the pages offer a fascinating look at the development of a creative mind.

A young man with an ear for popular music, Lanois built a studio in his mother's basement. Word of mouth quickly led to pivotal early jobs -- one day, for example, he found himself recording Rick James. "I felt like I was in the presence of Bach or Beethoven," Lanois writes. "His understanding of the tapestry of funk in my experience remains unparalleled. ... I didn't even mind that Rick never paid me for the session."

He also found work alongside Brian Eno, the former Roxy Music keyboard player who, like Lanois, would later enjoy great success as one of U2's producers. In perhaps the book's most fascinating tale, Lanois describes how Eno conjured the dreamlike compositions found on his "ambient" records of the 1970s and '80s: "Years before, he had been hit by a taxicab in London. While lying in the hospital bed he noticed that the classical music playing over the speaker in his room was audible only at the crescendos of the arrangements. In the quieter passages there was seeming silence. ... This was the beginning of Eno's Ambient Music Theory."

No personal details

Elsewhere, Lanois offers vivid snapshots of his encounters with some of the era's musical geniuses. One chapter, for instance, finds him visiting Leonard Cohen's house to talk about a Cohen song he had just recorded: "Leonard greeted me with a platter and asked if I wanted any chopped liver. ... I accepted a glass of wine, as Leonard listened to my version of The Stranger on my Walkman headphones."

Another chapter captures the intimate feel of a Dylan recording session: "The Oh Mercy studio was essentially a kitchen. Bob and I sat like two guys on a porch. He played my nice 1952 butterscotch Telecaster that I plugged into an early sixties Fender Concert amp tucked around the corner, five feet from Bob, with moving blankets around the mic to avoid vocal spill."

For a man writing something like an autobiography, Lanois is notably circumspect about his personal life. The debauchery and damaged relationships found in many music memoirs have no place in this book. Maybe that's best. With a career this fascinating, there just isn't room for self-mythologizing filler. As Lanois writes at one point, "I don't want to give away all my secrets." He's referring to the experimentation that resulted in one of his best bits of studio work, but you get the sense that he has told all the stories he wants to tell.

star-telegram.com

2011-01-06T00:06:00.001Z

'U2 were up in the clouds...'
January 4, 2011

Ever since anyone can remember, Irish rock journalist and broadcaster Dave Fanning has been the first person to air the first single from a new U2 album.

Dave has been friends with the band since their earliest days even though, when he first saw them play, ‘there were 5 or 6 other bands that I much preferred’. But, he recalls, ‘they had a belief in their own ability that none of the other crowd had.’

With the publication of his memoir, ‘The Thing Is…’ we tracked Dave down to ask him about the waning power of the DJ, how music has changed and some of his most memorable interviews. (In Part II, coming in a few days, Dave talks in more detail about his relationship with U2)

Congratulations on your autobiography! Are you glad you wrote it?

I really am! Originally, I was thinking, “This is stupid. Does the world really need a book about Dave Fanning, written by Dave Fanning?” But I realised there are those who grew up in Ireland in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s who will relate to it.

But it goes wider than that. Not only did you have a ring-side seat and access to the great artists of those decades, but you played a significant part within popular culture, starting with pirate radio…

I was the biggest fish in a small pond, and that’s why I got so much of what I got. Not because I was good, or bad, but because I was ‘Ireland’ to the PR people. I could offer print, radio and TV. Robbie Williams gave half an hour to each country, and I got the half-hour here because I was able to offer all three. Don’t make me into Sir Dave Fanning. It’s just what I did.

But you were able to do something with it when you got it. You helped to introduce new bands to their audience, including U2…

No question, yes. But the world was different, then.

The power of a DJ like John Peel has completely diminished these days. If you want to find something new, you can do it instantly. You don’t need anyone guiding you through.

I think a lot has been lost. Most bands don’t get time to develop. It was only when U2 got to Unforgettable Fire - album 4! - that they really started moving, but it was to get to that point that was important, because then you get the breakthrough: suddenly it becomes The Joshua Tree.

That sort of thing doesn’t really happen any more, which I find sad. It’s all so ephemeral.

Did you ever have to play music from a play-list?

Never once in my entire life did that happen. Never. We were always meant to be the experts and we were left alone to do it.

How important does music remain within popular culture?

Good question. I do think it’s diminished… Once, if I saw someone carrying a record bag, I had to know what was in the bag, and would instantly decide on what sort of person they were! They were either an idiot or really cool…

Getting your hands on music was so difficult. Even listening to music. BBC Radio 1’s ‘Sounds of the Seventies’ was so important; even more essential than Peel. And I’d listen to the live gig between half 6pm and 7.30, even if the band was boring.

Today there are 40 channels playing music all the time, and if you go into your local supermarket, there’s a TV playing a video of the latest Black Eyed Peas cover band. Jesus Christ! What’s it become? There’s no listening to Radio Luxembourg under the covers any more, waiting to see what they’re going to play next.

Maybe I’m just too old…

Are today’s kids the Generation X-Factor?!

I’m stunned at the number of people who watch X Factor. It’s such glue for the family. Every age group, even hardened rockers… I just don’t get it.

You have Louis, who I like a lot, being pathetic every week. And then you have Simon Cowell saying, “You’re what this show’s all about.” No it’s not. It’s all about you, Simon…

These idiots have hijacked everything that was dear to me: the pop charts. And yet the amount of pleasure people get out of X Factor! So who am I, but an old fogey with my slippers and rocking chair and my Bovril?

What, for you, makes a great interview?

I’m not sure. Sometimes, you just know. The other day I interviewed Ron Wood and it didn’t work. But usually, the bigger the star, the better the interview. They have more to say, they understand the game, and they perk up if they realise you’re not just asking the normal series of questions.

Do you get star struck?

My interview with Joni Mitchell was the biggest one of all for me, because she came into the studio. I realised then that I was a little bit star-struck. For me, she was the greatest thing in the 1970s and to have her come in to do her first interview in six years – I still have no idea why she agreed to do it, to this day.

But there is always something bigger than the star: you’re consumed with having to get it right. Once I went all the way to Cincinnati to interview Peter Frampton, then straight to LA for Fleetwood Mac. It just has to work in those circumstances. And making it work is always bigger than the person I’m sitting in front of.

I usually get a bit bolder towards the end. That’s why I was so annoyed with Lou Reed. He stopped the interview 20 minutes before the end and I would love to have gone elsewhere with him.

U2 weren’t stars when you first met them - and you didn’t see much in them that suggested they would be. Is that right?

Yes. There were 5 or 6 other bands that I much preferred. U2 were trying to do something new that sounded different. And in 1978, that wasn’t what I wanted to hear. The Undertones were based on decent pop music; the Rats were stealing from the Stones, and a thousand people were making short, sharp aggressive pop music. U2’s music was ethereal, up in the clouds. And it was like, “Jesus! Who do they think they are?”

It’s easier for someone like Jack White or Jimmy Page to look cool because their coolness is built on the blues, from something in the past. Edge, meanwhile, was trying to bring music into the future; and that’s a much more difficult thing to try and sell.

U2.com

2010-11-24T23:43:00.002Z

'Let the games begin...'

Travel day. London to Auckland (day 3)

Singapore to Sydney passed uneventfully, which is all a man can hope for in a flight. I watched Shrek again, well most of it, which helped the mood. Slept again, ate again, reading eluded me a little, so I even did a little work as I was feeling vaguely inspired.

At Sydney airport we were reunited with the crew guys who had come via Bangkok. I found some of them in an airport Chinese restaurant, and some others in a bar but I was in more of an omelette mood, so left them all to it. It felt more than a little surreal to suddenly be in Sydney (I saw the Opera House on our descent, which rather hammered home the point). Having left grey autumnal chill behind in London, a couple of long naps later all is blue skies and sunshine. Walking back to the gate I had the first wave of that feeling where the carpet feels like it’s turning into sponge. Hoards of people walking, pulling rolling bags, backpacks, cases – another take of the Moment of Surrender video. Kids acting up by gate. Surely they could travel as checked baggage?

The final leg was fine, though the novelty of aviation was certainly wearing off at this point. I did, however, finally get into my book, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, and snorted through a hundred pages or so. It’s a strange and circuitous story, being the ramblings of an apartment building concierge in Paris, but it’s got me now.

A couple of hours later, I looked away from the book and out of the window. I was quite taken aback by the view – down below was endless, unbroken, deep blue sea, whilst up above was endless, unbroken, deep blue sky. The two vast planes both stretched beyond my peripheral vision and were of almost identical colour, the sky perhaps becoming darker as it stretched into deep space. Their only separation was a line of fluffy white clouds way in the distance, rather appropriately smoothing away the line of the horizon. The emptiness of both is what was so startling, brightly lit in sunshine, everything so intensely crisp and clear. I was looking down at a planet entirely of water, it seemed, and the curve of the earth was clearly apparent. Does this mean that the water is curved? Obviously it does, relative to my viewpoint anyway, which I suppose means that every ‘flat’ body of water is also curved, albeit ever so slightly. I know, I know… I’d been up a long while at this point.

Finally, finally we descended into a cloudy Auckland, completing what I’m pretty sure is the longest flight I’ve ever undertaken. (Regular readers may remember the fantastic debacle of getting from Santiago to Perth on the PopMart tour – an epic saga of missed connections resulting in a four day journey, but that at least involved a couple of hotels, as opposed to today’s straight shot.) Auckland airport was conveniently empty so we coasted through immigration and to baggage claim (at which point I noticed that my flies were undone and presumably had been for whole of the last flight. I recall thinking that the chap sitting next to me had looked a little twitchy, but I’d put it down to being a nervous flyer.)

Picked up my bag (always a relief) and found a driver waiting for me, so we drove into the city, passing the familiar wooden, tin-roofed bungalows popular in these parts. It’s a gloomy afternoon but I’ve rarely been so glad to be on terra firma. It’s 4pm and somehow I need to stay up until 10ish to stand a ghost of a chance in the great hand-to-hand combat with consciousness that is jet-lag. Let the games begin.Previous Entry Diary - All Willie Diaries - Next Diary Entry

U2.com

2010-11-21T21:44:00.004Z

Aung San Suu Kyi Released – 1 Down, 2,202 To Go
November 13, 2010

Aung San Suu Kyi Released – 1 Down, 2,202 To Go

Burma Campaign UK today welcomed the release of Aung San Suu Kyi, but warned that the release should not be interpreted as a sign that democratic reform is on the way. Burma Campaign UK also called for the immediate release of 2,202 political prisoners who remain in detention.

“The release of Aung San Suu Kyi is about public relations, not democratic reform,” said Zoya Phan, International Coordinator at Burma Campaign UK. “I am thrilled to see our democracy leader free at last, but the release is not part of any political process, instead it is designed to get positive publicity for the dictatorship after the blatant rigging of elections on 7th November. We must not forget the thousands of other political prisoners still suffering in Burma’s jails.”

It is the third time Aung San Suu Kyi has been released from house arrest. The last time she was released, in 2002, it was part of a UN-led initiative to try to persuade Burma’s dictatorship to enter into dialogue leading to a transition to democracy. However, when the time came for substantive discussions the dictatorship refused to continue the dialogue. At the current time there is no such UN effort. The focus of the international community has instead been on a failed effort to ensure elections were free and fair.

The international community should use the release of Aung San Suu Kyi as an opportunity to apply pressure on the dictatorship to enter into genuine dialogue.

For many years the United Nations Security Council, United Nations General Assembly, United Nations Human Rights Council, United Nations Secretary General, European Union, ASEAN, USA and even China has stated that the way to bring genuine change in Burma is for dialogue between the democracy movement, including the NLD, genuine ethnic representatives, and the dictatorship. The jargon used to describe this dialogue is tri-partite dialogue. This dialogue should lead to national reconciliation and a transition to democracy.

A revived UN-led effort to secure such dialogue, with strong backing from world leaders and the United Nations Security Council, must be the top priority. This must not be delegated to a new low-level UN envoy. The UN must learn from the failures of previous UN envoys, such as Razali Ismail, who did not have the strong international backing he needed, and Ibrahim Gambari, who tried a ‘hug a General’ approach of befriending the Generals, which failed miserably.

“The international community must seize the opportunity of Aung San Suu Kyi’s release to increase pressure on the dictatorship to enter into dialogue,” said Zoya Phan. “Ban Ki-Moon must personally take the lead in persuading the dictatorship to start genuine negotiations with Aung San Suu Kyi and ethnic groups.”

Burma Campaign UK has produced a detailed briefing paper on Aung San Suu Kyi, which provides a basic history, as well as analysis and information on past actions and future options for the international community. The briefing is available here

U2.com

***********************************************************************************

'Cautious Joy'

U2 have responded to the news of Aung San Suu Kyi's release today.

'There is a cautious joy amongst the campaigners for Aung San Suu Kyi's release. Over the years we have feared for her life, and until Burma's leadership better reflects its people, we should continue to be vigilant in our concern.

'For a life denied the basic freedoms, she has lived so vividly in the minds of her people and supporters and accomplished so much. By putting the people of Burma's interests above her own, she has lived in stark contrast with her oppressors. Her struggle has become a symbol for all humanity, of what we are capable of - best and worst. Her very grace so infuriating to the bully government whose brutish gorging of the country's rich resources have left the people of Burma poor and hungry.

We can only pray that those in the junta who decided on her release will start to see sense and seize this opportunity to begin a genuine dialogue towards democracy. We will know they are serious when they release the other 2,202 prisoners denied a life for the crime of wanting to believe an election result.'

U2.com

***********************************************************************************

Aung San Suu Kyi's first days of freedom
Burmese pro-democracy leader is greeted by cheering crowds in Rangoon

Saturday 13 November 2010 11.39 GMT

guardian

2010-11-21T17:42:00.003Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 20 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Sold-out at the Ritz / Rain with great spirit / Finishing POP / U2 sing for Omagh victims / Dalla´s b-day / U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub / U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising-Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity / The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US with the video for Red Hill Mining Town ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLAS!

"Boy" tour - november 20, 1980 - U2 perform in Blackpool, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October" tour - november 20, 198 - U2 perform in New York, NY, USA at the Ritz. A sign of their growing popularity, tonight is the first of three consecutive sold-out shows at the Ritz in New York City.

"ZOOTV - New Zooland/ Japan" tour - november 20, 1993 - U2 perform in Brisbane, Australia at Anz Stadium. It rains throughout the show but it doesn´t dampen spirits among the cheerful crowd.

"U2 wraps recording on new album" - november 20, 1996. U2 completes recording of its new album. Mixing is still to take place, with a March release date scheduled. The band's "studio-cam" closes down with a shot of a markerboard which reads, "Elvis Has Hacked His Way Out Of The Building."

"U2 sing for Omagh victims on Irish TV" - november 20, 1998. U2 appear on a special edition of Irish TV program "The Late Late Show." The show is a tribute to the victims of the Omagh bombing earlier this year. U2 open the show with "North and South of the River," their first live performance of the song, and close the show with "All I Want Is You."

"Elevation" tour - november 20, 2001 - Sacramento / CA - Arco Arena. Bono dances on stage with a female fan during 'Angel of Harlem.' Gwen Stefani joins in singing 'What's Going On.' Before 'One,' Bono tells the crowd it's Dallas Schoo's birthday. Bono gives the mic to a fan who leads the crowd in singing 'Happy Birthday' to Edge's longtime guitar tech.

U2 filmed scenes for Window In The Skies with 300 extras at the pub - November 20, 2006 -

The song will be the next release from their new compilation 18 Singles. Bono talked with fans before entering the venue, coming straight from a meeting with Treasurer Peter Costello. The extras all signed confidentiality clauses. Scenes were shot inside the bandroom and on the rooftop beer garden. U2 also filmed footage at their Melbourne concert on Saturday, which is expected to be used on a DVD. photos: brianrosco - On location with director Gary Koepke, filming took place with 300 fans at The Corner Hotel in Richmond. Many had been at Fridays Make Poverty History concert as well as both Telstra Dome shows... but this was just a little more intimate! Window in the Skies will be the next U2 single and is the eighteenth track on 'U218 SIngles' which is released worldwide today. Photos by John Mckay: Bono and John Mckay - Edge - Edge signing

U2 and Green Day Release 'The Saints Are Coming' Raises Funds for Music Rising - Download Available Via iTunes With Proceeds for Charity - November 20, 2006 - Music Rising announced Saturday that the download for the much anticipated "The Saints Are Coming" collaboration between legendary rock groups U2 and Green Day is now available via iTunes in the U.S. The song has topped the charts throughout Europe since its release.

The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US - November 20, 2007 - The Joshua Tree, remastered, is released today in the US. To celebrate, is released too a video you might not have seen. Directed by Neil Jordan, the video for Red Hill Mining Town has only now been officially released - on the bonus DVD that comes with the Box Set format of the album.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DALLAS!

Health, peace, love and much more success Dallas! Thank you so much to be so close to The Edge! I wish your dreams come true!

2010-11-21T15:11:00.002Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 19 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: last night in Australia / Edge and Bono sing "Wild Honey" to a young girl which is on stage / 95th 'VERTIGO' show: Members the family of Dr Martin Luther King were at the attendance-"MLK"-U2 confirms Vertigo dates down under / U218 is released in Dublin / 125th 'VERTIGO' show: Bono got to introduce 'Saints' as 'our Number One single from our new album which is released today'/ Saints' helmet for auction (NFL)

"Boy" tour - november 19, 1980 - U2 perform in Wolverhampton, England at the Polytechnic School. Support is "Medium Medium".

"LoveTown" tour - november 19, 1989 - Sydney / Australia / Entertainment Centre. The third night is the last night in Australia, "Thank you so much," Bono addresses the crowd, "We've been here for over two months now. You have worn us out! Somebody, somewhere, please make sure it's not five years 'till we're next back in Australia..." Anne Louise Kelly of the U2 management team brings champagne on stage during "Party Girl". All three shows are filmed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein and are aired in a documentary that airs in Australia and Europe later in the year. Two female singers, Cheri and Zan, provide backing vocals for all three nights' encores

"Elevation" tour - november 19, 2001- Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. 'Out of Control' includes a couple of lyrics from 'Into the Heart.' A young girl is brought on stage for 'Wild Honey,' and Bono and the Edge sing the song to her. During 'Bad,' Bono takes a cell phone from the audience and sings the 2nd half of the song into it. During 'Streets,' Bono takes an American flag from the audience, and runs a lap around the heart with the flag trailing behind him.

95th 'VERTIGO' show - November 19, 2005 / Atlanta, GA - Venue: Philips Arena - Opening Act(s): Institute - Members the family of Dr Martin Luther King were at the attendance / "MLK"! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Happy Birthday, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One, MLK. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways, With or Without You, The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Bad. MLK is added after One tonight. Members of the King family are at the show. Photos interference - U2gigs

U2 confirms Vertigo dates down under - november 19, 2005. U2 confirms a set of Vertigo Tour dates today for Australia and New Zealand. The 4th leg of the Vertigo Tour will begin in Auckland on March 17, 2006, and continue for two weeks in Australia. Additional dates in other countries are still to be announced.

U218 is released in Dublin - November 19, 2006 - Hardy U2 fans were rewarded with exclusive band goodies after queuing at midnight for the group's new album. HMV in Dublin's Grafton Street was mobbed by a large crowd hoping to get the first copies of U218. The album is the first single disc collection to span the band's career from 1980 to 2004. It features top hits from four decades, including tracks from their back catalogue of albums from Boyto How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The first 10 females and the first 10 males in the queue last night got U2 merchandise such as hoodies and baseball caps. Fans visiting the store last night also had their photographs taken with the famous Macnas U2 heads.

125th 'VERTIGO' show November 19, 2006 - Australia / Melbourne - Telstra Dome - Bono got to introduce 'Saints' as 'our Number One single from our new album which is released today'. Today's show was the second of two in Melbourne, and the last of U2's seven Australian shows. The band performed a stellar setlist that contained two very notable surprises: the first performance of The First Time since march 2, 2006 and the first performance of Bad since frebruary 12, 2006. The band also performed Party Girl to celebrate seven very successful shows in Australia, and pulled it off significantly better than the performance six days ago in Sydney; Bono even observed that U2 "screwed up" the Sydney performance, but claimed it happened in Adelaide! Another surprise in the set was New Year's Day relinquishing its spot for I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For. Between Beautiful Day and Angel Of Harlem, Edge had some considerable guitar troubles, prompting Bono to ask "is Edgeworld blowing up?" Edge exclaims "thank you, Sydney!" He then corrected this with "thank you Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, but especially MELBOURNE!" City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo-She Loves You (snippet)-Beds Are Burning (snippet) / Elevation-Spinning Around (snippet) / Until The End Of The World / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Beautiful Day-Blackbird (snippet) / Angel Of Harlem / The First Time / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own-Torna A Surriento (snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet The Blue Sky-When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)-The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One-Unchained Melody (snippet) / Encore(s): The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Party Girl / Kite / Bad-Ruby Tuesday (snippet)-40 (snippet). Photos U2gigs

Saints' helmet for auction (NFL)- November 19, 2006 - NFL's auction: U2 and Green Day (all members) signed proline Saints helmet. nfl

2010-11-21T15:04:00.006Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 18 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: tightness in his chest /...We got Luke Dalton(The Edge) on guitar, ladies & gentlemen!.../ a bomb during a concert / "Achtung Baby" is released / Elvis impersonator / 94th 'VERTIGO' show: Happy B-Day Joe O´Herlihy-Bono gave one shout to New Orleans clean-up volunteers / 124th 'VERTIGO' show: Australia-Melbourne-Telstra Dome / "The Saints Are Coming" is the 1st in Brazil / Clarence finally get go-ahead for €150m hotel plan / Wave After Wave (U2.com video) / Oscar organizers choose MTV awards vet Hamish Hamilton to direct show / Bono and Wyclef Jean Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Award - Honor Recognizes Courageous and Innovative Approaches to Human Rights !

"Boy" tour - november 18, 1980 - U2 perform in Reading, England at the University. Support is "Medium Medium".

"October" tour - november 18, 1981- U2 perform in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Ripley's Music Hall. During "I Will Follow", Bono feels tightness in his chest and starts singing, and during the bridge he sings "I need some air...I can't breath...", and a roadie turns a fan on him, and Bono: ...Ahhh, thank you...

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 18, 1987 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Memorial Coliseum. The Olympic Torch at the Coliseum is lit before the encore begins with "Star Spangled Banner," marking only the fourth time the torch fire burns -- it had burned twice for the Olympics and once for a visit by the Pope. U2 open for themselves: Wearing cowboy hats and wigs, they fool the crowd into believing that they are the "Dalton Brothers". On the second night, "The Dalton Brothers" return to stage, this time however, some in the crowd get the joke. "Right," Alton Dalton/Bono calls out, "we play two kinds of music: country and western. This is a little tune I wrote back in the south, a tune I've labelled 'Lucille'. Hope you like it..." During the song, Alton/Bono introduces the remaining 3 members of the band, "We got Luke Dalton(The Edge) on guitar, ladies & gentlemen! This is my sister Betty Dalton(Adam, still wearing that awful wig), behind me here on the drums we got Duke Dalton(Larry). My name is Alton Dalton, don't you forget it!" The crowd seem to be in disbelief, and only a few applaud when the song is done. Luke(The Edge) comes to the microphone, "Well, before we start my song," he explains, "I'd just like to say it really is great to be back in Los Angeles, and whenever we come back to Los Angeles, my brother Alton, he says to me: 'Luke, it's great to be back in Los Angeles!' So here we go...This is a little tune we learned from Hank Williams...," and the band go into "Lost Highway". During that night's performance of "Bad", Bono accepts some balloons and releases them as he sings, "Let it go..." Ali Hewson brings champagne on stage during "Party Girl". support is "The Bodeans", "The Dalton Brothers" and "The Pretenders".

"LoveTown" tour - november 18, 1989 - Sydney, Australia Entertainment Centre. On the second night, a bomb threat shortly before the U2 set, forces an evacution of the building. Steve Ireldale makes the announcement, and assures everyone that U2 will perform that evening: "The band are going to play, don't worry about that. So, can people go towards the exit in a n orderly fashion please? It's very important. There is no need to panic whatsoever, but please take this seriously..." After the 12,500 fans leave the building, and a ninety minute search, nothing is found. Once the fans return, U2 hit the stage with "Hawkmoon 269" and Bono says, "Turn on the house lights Willie[Williams]! Let me see who we're dealing with tongith! Let me tell you: everybody gets out of here ALIVE!" The anger at the bombthreat is turned into energy for the show. "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" is particularily emotional, and Bono also adds in more on the demonstrations in the Eastern Bloc and in China. During "40" he also adds in parts of John Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance".

November 18, 1991 - U2's seventh album, "Achtung Baby", is released to widespread critical acclaim, but little fanfare.

"Elevation" tour - november 18, 2001 - Las Vegas, NV - Thomas and Mack Center, UNLV. A female fan is pulled onstage to play 'People Get Ready' with the band. Gwen Stefani once again joins in on a full band version of 'What's Going On?'. Bono takes a cross from a fan and puts it on. 'One' is dedicated to Quincy Jones who is sitting in the crowd. An Elvis impersonator is seated in the first row at Adam's side of the stage, and Bono makes several references to his presence throughout the show.

94th 'VERTIGO' show - November 18, 2005 / Atlanta, GA - Philips Arena - Institute - Happy B-Day Joe O´Herlihy / Bono gave one shout to New Orleans clean-up volunteers! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Beautiful Day, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Mysterious Ways, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, The Fly, With or Without You, Happy Birthday, Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Yahweh, All Because Of You, 40. Happy Birthday is sung for Joe O'Herlihy, U2's longtime sound engineer. Bono donned a blindfold and pretended to be a political prisoner. He gave one shout out to America's military, another to New Orleans clean-up volunteers. photos: U2gigs

124th 'VERTIGO' show - Australia / Melbourne - november 18, 2006 - Telstra Dome. The setlist at U2's first of two concerts in Melbourne largely resembled the set played two days ago in Adelaide. The big difference came in the encore, which was opened by The Fly rather than Zoo Station, and was followed by the second Australian Vertigo performance of Mysterious Ways. The Fly rarely opens the encore; the last such instance was on september 16, 2005. Also, today's performance of Desire was much less rusty than the ramshackle version performed in Sydney a week ago! City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) - Here Comes The Sun (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / Angel Of Harlem / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock The Casbah (snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky - When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet) - The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / Encore(s): The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You - Never Tear Us Apart (snippet) - Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet) / The Saints Are Coming / Desire / Kite. (soundcheck: there are a few additional cameras around the place so the show will be filmed. heard the full band version of One Tree Hill from inside the Telstra Dome. The outro is included and so is of John Lennons Happy Christmas (War Is Over). They also rehearsed: Love And Peace Or Else, Pride, Saints Are Coming, Stuck In A Moment, Kite, Original Of The Species and City Of Blinding Lights earlier today) **** Exposing yourself emotionally in front of 60,000 punters, even friendly ones, still deserves a round of applause ... "Victoria, Garden State … let's go to St Kilda tonight," said Bono from the stadium's Coventry End, and 60,000 cheered their agreement. Then it was down to love, justice, God and all those other vivid yet frustratingly evanescent subjects that U2 insist on singing about. Tributes abounded, to Michael Hutchence, the Clash's Joe Strummer, and Australian film-maker Richard Lowenstein. Bono dedicated Sunday, Bloody Sunday to the victims of the Bali bombing, saying: "You don't have to become a monster in order to defeat a monster." ... The singer began a long night covering every inch of the broad stage, The Edge made his guitar wail, and Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen jnr kept the rhythm rock solid. **** His feet on the table and plays with his blackberry - Another fantastic show in Melbourne last night before a capacity crowd at Telstra Dome. Bono piggy backed a girl during Angel of Harlem before asking her if he could bring the band back to her house. He informed her that Edge “puts his feet on the table” and plays with his blackberry all the time and enquired weather this would be OK with her Mum. Other highlights included a moving One and funky Mysterious Ways complete with dancing girl from the crowd who picked Bono up. photos: U2gigs

"The Saints Are Coming" is the 1st in Brazil - November 18, 2006.

Clarence finally get go-ahead for €150m hotel plan - November 18, 2007 - Experts outraged at revamp nod -Edge and Bono; have finally found what they're looking for -- planning permission for a Euro 150m revamp of the Clarence Hotel. They have been given the green light by Dublin City Council to go ahead with controversial plans to turn the landmark property in Temple Bar into what Bono claims will be "the most spectacular hotel in Europe".

Wave After Wave (U2.com video) - November 18, 2008 - Atmospheric and meditative, Larry's latest video is all sea and sky. U2.com

Oscar organizers choose MTV awards vet Hamish Hamilton to direct show - November 18, 2009 - LOS ANGELES - Academy Awards overseers have chosen an entertainment veteran to direct the next Oscar show. Hamish Hamilton is directing the 82nd Oscar broadcast on March 7. Hamilton's credits include directing the MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards, along with live concerts by such performers as U2, Stevie Wonder, Neil Diamond and Christina Aguilera. He also is directing the halftime show at the Super Bowl the month before the Oscars. Adam Shankman, one of the producers of the Oscars, says Hamilton will bring a fresh eye and expertise in TV technology to stage a cutting-edge show. Oscar nominations come out Feb. 2. The March 7 awards ceremony airs live on ABC.

Bono and Wyclef Jean Receive RFK Center for Justice & Human Rights' Ripple of Hope Award - Honor Recognizes Courageous and Innovative Approaches to Human Rights -
NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2009

At its annual awards dinner, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights presented Bono and Wyclef Jean with the organization's 2009 Ripple of Hope Award. The award recognizes the bold leadership demonstrated by the two honorees on humanitarian issues. "As champions of justice, Bono and Wyclef have brought the national spotlight to human rights violations, empowered local activists, and transformed the lives of millions of people living in poverty from Port-Au-Prince to Darfur," said Kerry Kennedy, founder of the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights. "Their efforts evoke the spirit of my father and we are honored to recognize them." Jenni Williams, founder of Women of Zimbabwe Arise and 2009 RFK Human Rights Award winner, introduced Bono who was then presented the award by Ethel Kennedy. Bono, the lead singer of U2 and co-founder of the advocacy organization ONE and (Product) RED, was recognized for his efforts in the fight against extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa (www.one.org, www.joinred.com). "Though we're not usually that partial to Royals, growing up in Ireland in the 70s, the Kennedy family felt like an Irish royal family. Bobby Kennedy was a super-hero, an Irish scrapper who didn't see any contradiction between hard-headed pragmatism and an idealism that challenged all of us to change the world. That's why the Ripple of Hope award means so much. RFK was the blue print for our activism in the ONE campaign," Bono said. "The image of Bobby that will forever be in my mind is of a man with his sleeves rolled up, hard at work and showing a hint of muscle. His life is an enduring challenge to all of us to do more, get beyond ourselves and send out our own ripples of hope to the world." Loune Viaud, who received the RFK Human Rights Award in 2002 for her work in Haiti, introduced her fellow countryman, Wyclef Jean. Jean was recognized for his work to strengthen and inspire change in Haiti through his Yele Haiti organization (www.yele.org). "It is an honor to receive this award for so many reasons," said Jean, who was also the evening's musical performer. "The Kennedy Family and Robert F. Kennedy have represented and fought for the rights of people around the world, and have paid the ultimate sacrifice for it. I am humbled by their work, and use it as an example in the work I continue to do in Haiti, the United States, Africa and around the globe. I look forward to working closely with Kerry Kennedy and the RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights in Haiti as a part of our Yele Center." The evening was emceed by actor Peter Gallagher and included monologues based on the play "Speak Truth to Power" performed by Matthew Modine, Matt McCoy, Joey Pantoliano and Gloria Reuben. There was also a special tribute to Senator Edward Kennedy, who served as a member of the RFK Board of Directors from 1968 until his passing this year. Other guests included Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Governor Jon Corzine, Harry Belafonte, Martha Stewart, Bill O'Reilly, Ana Ortiz, Aasif Mandvi, Liya Kebede, Earl Graves, Terry Kinney, Rebecca Minkoff, Charles Nolan, Richard Plepler, Tom Freston and Orin Kramer. The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of "Redemption Song" by Wyclef and Bono, and a performance of "Carnival" by Wyclef that brought the entire crowd of over 800 people - including Ethel Kennedy - to their feet singing and dancing. The RFK Center for Justice and Human Rights is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the human rights movement through innovative support to human rights defenders around the world. With an over forty-year track record of attaining concrete results on cutting-edge social justice issues, the RFK Center carries forward Robert F. Kennedy's vision of a more just and peaceful world. To learn more about the RFK Center, please visit www.rfkcenter.org. SOURCE RFK Memorial Center for Human Rights - prnewswire

2010-11-21T14:52:00.003Z

UPDATE NOVEMBER 17 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert / David Bowie attended the concert / "Perfect Day" is released / "With Or Without You" / Edge jams with Wyclef / "U2 Go Home" / Ali-Solidarity Award in Spain / U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) / Edge Visits New Orleans and performed / Edge and Bob Ezrin stablish Music Rising / Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert / Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend!

"October" tour - november 17, 1981- U2 perform in Providence, Rhode Island at Center Stage.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 17, 1987 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Memorial Coliseum. The shows falls 9.025 tickets short of being a sellout. Bono dedicates "Trip Through Your Wires" to the Los Angelese Police Department, referring to the shooting of the "Where the Streets Have No Name" video on March 27, 1987. The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert, marking only the fourth time this is done: Twice for the Olympic Games, once for the Pope and now, once for U2. Bono pulls up a man from the crowd during "People Get Ready" so he can play with the band. At the end of the song, the man hands Bono a demo tape.
Support for the first night is Steve Jones, and "The Pretenders".

"LoveTown" tour - november 17, 1989 - U2 perform in Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Centre. U2 return to Sydney to make up the three cancelled shows from October 22,24 and 25, 1989. On the first night, Bono quickly comments and apologizes for his illness a few weeks earlier, "A few weeks back I had some real trouble trying to sing. I discovered you have some very psychedelic germs over here!" David Bowie and his current band "Tin Machine" attend the show and meet U2 after the show. All three shows are filmed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein and are aired in a documentary that airs in Australia and Europe later in the year. Two female singers, Cheri and Zan, provide backing vocals for all three nights' encores.

Perfect Day - November 17, 1997 - Chrysalis Records releases a version of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", which features Bono, David Bowie, Joan Armatrading, Boyzone and others. All profits are donated to the BBC's Children in Need Appeal.

"With Or Without You" named one of Top Pop Songs Since 1963 - november 17, 2000 - A panel of music "experts" put together by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine vote "With or Without You" as the #8 song in the "Top 100 Pop Songs Since 1963."

"Edge jams with Wyclef Jean in Dublin" - november 17, 2002 - The Edge joins Wyclef Jean on stage tonight during Jean's concert at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You," and some reports suggest they jammed through a medley of other U2 songs. Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Go on the Edge! Sunday - November 17 2002....the night's biggest secret saw Wyclef perform with The Edge on stage. Together they rocked through a medley of U2 classics, and a dub version 'Knocking on Heaven's Door'. Queuing to get into the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin, the crowd was looking pretty bling-bling (well, as bling-bling as we could considering that temperature dictated wearing a parka). There was definitely a bit of a buzz in the air - Wyclef Jean was in the house and you could bet your low-slung jeans, it was going to be one mutha of a gig....Early on in the gig, Wyclef's proved to us how much Brooklyn and Ireland (and more specifically, Wyclef and Bono) have in common by treating us to some "Sunday Bloody Sunday" riffs. But further, entirely unsuspected delights lie in store. Apparently, there is a Mr. Dave Evans in the house. He's here as Witnness' guest and not in any kind of professional capacity. Wyclef says that although he has not discussed this with the Edge, it would be his dream come true if the Edge were to come on stage and perform with him... "Go on the Edge", the crowd urges as all eyes turn towards him. A few minutes later, and nobody can quite believe it - the Edge has joined Wyclef and they're making the most beautiful guitar noises the world has ever heard. It's amazing. For fifteen solid minutes, Wyclef and the Edge wield their instruments, playing classic U2 and they're enjoying it more than the audience is. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You." Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Musical event of the year? Do you even need to ask that question?...

"U2 Go Home" store shelves - november 17, 2003 - U2 Go Home - Live from Slane Castle is released worldwide today. The release is the first DVD-only release of U2's career, and is taken from U2's September 1, 2001, performance at the historic Slane Castle north of Dublin. It's the second Elevation Tour concert to be released as a home video. Fans in North America have to wait the usual extra day for their November 18th release date.

Ali - Solidarity Award in Spain - November 17, 2005 - Wife of U2 singer Bono, Ali Hewson, poses for photographers with the Solidarity Award for the company Edun, founded by Ali and Bono, during the Marie Claire Awards ceremony at Madrid's French Embassy in Spain late Thursday 17 November 2005 - photos interference

U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) - November 17, 2005 - The Parnelli Awards: The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry - Those Behind the Magic of U2, the Rolling Stones, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and Toby Keith Honored in 5th Annual Award Ceremony...U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry received the prestigious Production Manager of the Year Award for his work with the group, and Monitor Mixer of the Year went to Dave Skaff.... Photo: U2's production manager, Jake Berry, receives the Parnelli Production Manager of the Year Award - ereleases

Edge Visits New Orleans and performed - November 17, 2005

Edge has visited with musicians in New Orleans in support of the Music Rising initiative. At Guitar Centre in the city five local men shared their stories with Edge and a few customers were lucky enough to hear Edge jam with Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. Music Rising will formally announce on Monday.

Edge and Bob form Music Rising - November 17, 2005 - In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
Those wishing to make donations can do so at Music Rising from rollingstone

Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert - November 17, 2006 - Melbourne / Australia - Bono and Edge performed with Pearl Jam tonight, part of the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne ("It's a beautiful day," said Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder, before launching into Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World). A capacity audience of 20,000 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl saw Edge and Bono join Pearl Jam for Neil Young's Rocking in the Free World - Edge turning in a particularly scintillating performance. 'To the Make Poverty History campaigners, we salute you,' said Bono. 'Keep on rocking in the free world. Politicians have to do what you tell them to do.' The G-20 - finance ministers from twenty nations who represent two-thirds of the world’s population - are meeting in Melbourne this weekend. Campaigners are demanding that rich countries deliver on the agreed UN target of allocating 0.7% of gross national income to international aid. Next month the two bands will be together on stage again - when Pearl Jam join U2 for the final date of Vertigo 06 in Honolulu.

Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend - November 17, 2006 - Irish rock star Bono says Prime Minister John Howard should look at increasing Australia’s aid to third world countries as a way of fighting terrorism. Touring Australia with his band U2, Bono is promoting the Make Poverty History campaign. He wants Mr Howard to commit to giving 0.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP to developing countries by 2015. Bono has told the ABC TV’s Lateline program that if Mr Howard is not convinced to do so on compassionate grounds, he should consider it as a security investment. "People in the rest of the world are not sure if we in the West, what our values are, do we have any values,” he said. “This is the way they meet us - they either meet us through trade, or through aid, or through the military. "I would suggest that this is a better investment, if you like, of the Treasury’s money in making friends with potential enemies.” Bono sorry: Meanwhile Bono says he regrets his initial response to the suggestion of a meeting with Mr Howard on the issue of aid to third world nations. Earlier, Bono said he would only be interested in meeting Mr Howard to discuss the Make Poverty History campaign if the Prime Minister was serious about the problems underdeveloped countries face. Bono now says he is sorry for appearing arrogant and would love to meet Mr Howard. “I think it was fairer to say I was just a little miffed that he didn’t seem that interested in the meeting or indeed the issues,” he said. “I have a great deal of admiration for him. He’s led your country to great prosperity, but he has also led your country to the bottom of the league table in terms of involvement with the world’s most vulnerable populations.” abc.au

2010-11-21T14:42:00.002Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 16 - THIS DAY - U2´S HISTORY: songs and ideas from this soundcheck / a quick conversation with a winner / U2 MTV Europe Awards / a fan takes part on the duel ...End Of The World / U2 perform to BBC Radio and 20 fans on HQ / 93rd 'VERTIGO' show: A young girl near Larry´s drum kit for OOTS-the young boy during Yahweh shines the spotlight around the arena and on each band member / U2 at Johnny Cash tribute and premiere "The Wanderer" / Live 8 tops this chart / 123rd 'VERTIGO' show -Australia-Adelaide / Bono praises Irish role in global development !

"War" tour - november 16, 1983 - U2 perform in Honolulu, Hawaii. The band are on their way to perform in Japan, and took a short vacation and a one-off concert. Already deep into the work for the next album, they try a few new songs and musical ideas during the soundcheck. Planned concerts in Australia and New Zealand have already been cancelled.

"ZOOTV Zoomerang" tour - november 16, 1993 - U2 perform in Adelaide, Australia at the Football Park. Ticket sales have picked up in the last few weeks after a slow start. The winner of the MTV Australia U2 contest is beamed into the show after "The Fly" for a quick conversation.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - november 16, 2000 - Stockholm, Sweden Globe Arena. Beautiful Day .U2 performs live at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

"Elevation" tour - november 16, 2001 - Oakland, CA - The Arena in Oakland. Bono brings a female fan on stage during '...End of the World' and she takes part in the 'duel' with Edge. Bono brings fan Scott Perretta on stage to play guitar - Scott begins 'A Sort of Homecoming' before Bono and Edge realize what he's playing. They soon join in and play a spirited version, even though Bono doesn't remember many lyrics. Gwen Stefani sings during 'What's Going On.' Bono reads some of the victims' names that scroll behind the band during 'One.'

"U2 performs live for BBC Radio" - november 16, 2004. U2 plays a 5-song set at their own Hanover Quay studios which airs live on BBC Radio 1. A small crowd of about 20 fans are in the audience after winning tickets from Radio 1.

93rd 'VERTIGO' show - November 16, 2005 /'Tampa, FL - St. Pete Times Forum - Institute. A young girl near Larry´s drum kit for OOTS / the young boy during Yahweh shines the spotlight around the arena and on each band member. City Of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono brings a young girl on stage and has her sit near Larry's drum kit for Original of the Species. He brings a young boy, Joey, on stage during Yahweh and the boy stays on stage through 40. As the song is ending, Bono gets Joey to help shine a spotlight around the arena. As Bono leaves, Joey takes the spotlight and shines it on Bono, then also shines it on each band member, one at a time, before returning to the crowd. Photos: flickr - U2tours - U2gigs.

U2 at Johnny Cash tribute and premiere "The Wanderer" - november 16, 2005. CBS. Edge told to U2.com: U2 appeared in last night's CBS tribute to Johnny Cash. The band performed 'The Wanderer' a song they originally wrote for Cash and recorded with him for the 1993 album Zooropa....Incidentally,a little while back Edge spoke at length about the day Cash came to Dublin and recorded The Wanderer with U2. 'I think like so many of our best ideas, 'The Wanderer' happened almost by magic. We were working on the song, Bono got on the mic to sing and he was going, 'I dunno quite how I'm gonna approach this one.' And out of the blue he said, 'Hey, y'know, I think Johnny Cash is in town, maybe we could get him to come and sing on this, with me or instead of me.' I don't know quite what he was trying to put over; at that moment I think we all thought, 'Aw, Bono's just trying to create some sort of distraction from the fact that he really has no idea what he wants to do on the song, this is just one crazy idea too far.' 'But whenever something like that happens I've learned to bite my tongue somewhat, because those crazy ideas often turn out to be the ones that come to pass, and indeed this was one of those. We got on the phone pretty much immediately to try and get through to Johnny, and he said he'd love to come down just to say hello, and, y'know, if it was something he could sing on, great, he'd be up for it. 'So then Bono went in and did a sort of faux Johnny vocal and it was eerie, suddenly this track just clicked into place. And Eno at the time was going, 'That's it! We don't need Johnny, you've done it, this is exactly what we need!' And Bono said, 'No, no, this is just half what this song would be.' 'So anyway, almost against Brian's advice, we had Johnny come down and he sang on the song and it was unbelievable the way it came to life. It got a bit surreal. Everyone completely got into the spirit of what he was doing. He did two vocals, that was it, we didn't even get into, 'Could you try it this way?' it was literally a case of, 'I can't quite believe what's going on!' There was a little element of giddiness in the room. 'After he left and we'd said our goodbyes, everyone just looked at each other and went, 'What just happened?!' ......"I went out walking, with a bible and a son?" and "under an atomic sky" 'Out walking under an atomic sky'

Live 8 tops this chart - November 16, 2006 - Beatles song Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band has been named as the fastest online download of all time. The version sung by Sir Paul McCartney and U2's Bono at the Live 8 concert hit the top of the download chart within hours of its release.

123rd 'VERTIGO' show - Australia / Adelaide - november 16, 2006 - AAMI Stadium - On 16 November 1993, U2 performed their last concert in Adelaide and used it as a rehearsal before the Sydney video shoot for the official Zoo TV video release. Thirteen years later to the day, the band finally returned to South Australia. I Will Follow remained in the setlist after its re-appearance in Sydney on Monday, Stuck In A Moment and Desire both returned to the set after making solitary appearances previously on the Australian leg, and Angel Of Harlem remained in the main set. Despite the fact there was no rain at the concert, Bono added a snippet of Singing In The Rain to the start of The Fly. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day-Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet)-Here Comes The Sun (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / Angel Of Harlem-I Should Be So Lucky (snippet) / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet The Blue Sky-When Johnny Comes Marching Home (snippet)-The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / Encore(s): Zoo Station / Singing In The Rain (snippet)-The Fly-(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (snippet) / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Desire-Not Fade Away (snippet) / Kite. **** Night of pop, rock and ´politics - WALKING out onstage with an Australian flag draped around his neck, U2's Bono kicked off a show Adelaide has been waiting to see since March. For the 60,000 people packed inside AAMI Stadium last night to see the world's biggest rock band, the sound and light spectacular was worth the wait. With a massive screen behind projecting dynamic visuals and images of the band, the four Irishmen ran through a set that showed the old songs to be just as vital and relevant as their latest material. It's a sound that many have tried to replicate or at least used for inspiration in recent years, from The Killers to Franz Ferdinand, but few have managed to successfully capture the urgency of the rhythm section of Larry Mullen Jnr on drums, Adam Clayton on bass and The Edge's fearsome guitar. As the crowd inside the stadium rocked, more fans crowded outside hoping to at least take in the sound, if not the sight. Acknowledging the tour postponement caused by the illness of a family member on top of the 13-year wait Adelaide fans have had since U2 last performed here, Bono said: "Thank you for your patience, your understanding. If we've learnt anything in this time it's probably this song," and he sang Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own. Throughout the show, Bono dropped plenty of pop culture references adding lines by everyone from George Harrison to Kylie into songs. Bono appeared onstage with Kylie at one of her shows in Sydney last weekend and last night, after singing a few of bars of Kylie's I Should Be So Lucky during Angel of Harlem, said: "That one's for the Angel of Sydney." The ever-political Bono turned Sunday Bloody Sunday, originally written about the troubles in Northern Ireland, into a prayer, saying "Don't become a monster in order to defeat a monster" while behind him on the big screen the word "co-exist" was written, incorporating Muslim and Jewish symbols. He then pulled a young boy out of the crowd to sit on the stage and chant "no more". Then Bono lit a flare during the scorching Bullet the Blue Sky it reinforced that this show was about much more than just rock'n'roll.
adelaidenow - photos: U2gigs

Bono praises Irish role in global development - November 16, 2007 - Bono has said he is very proud of the role the Government is playing is eradicating famine and hunger in the Third World. He said African countries were seeking to replicate the success of the Irish economy because Ireland had come from further behind any other country in modern history to achieve the levels of prosperity currently being enjoyed. The U2 singer was speaking at University College Cork, where he attended a meeting of the Government's Hunger Task Force, of which he is a member. This year the Government will spend €815m on Third World aid.

2010-11-21T14:38:00.000Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 15 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "A Sort Of Homecoming" to the EP / Rene Castro on stage during JTtour / a young girl on stage / U2.com members asked to renew !

"Boy" tour - november 15, 1980 - U2 perform in Bristol, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October" tour - november 15, 1981 - U2 perform in New Haven, Connecticut at Toad's Place. crowd: 600 people sellout.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 15, 1984 - London England Wembeley Arena. During the soundcheck of the second show, U2 perform "A Sort Of Homecoming", and it is this version that eventually appears on the "Wide Awake In America" EP. The song is remixed with crowd noise, to give it the appearance of being recorded in front of a live audience. "A Sort Of Homecoming" also appears on the B-side of the "Unforgettable Fire" EP released in May 1985. Support is "The Waterboys".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 15, 1987 - U2 perform in Oakland, California at Oakland Stadium. Even though the first night sells out quickly, almost 16,000 tickets are unsold for the second show. Bono introduces another artist, Rene Castro, whom he had met during the "Conspiracy of Hope" tour, and who had encouraged him to tour Central America. Castro comes on stage accompanied by 20 artists called Placa and they set about spraypainting U2's stage. "And with any luck," Bono points out, "we should be able to show Mayor Feinstein the difference between an act of vandalism and graffiti art." The artists paint a huge dove of peace, and the message "Peace in Central America". At the end of the show, Bono again invites Castro and Placa on stage to sing along. They arrive carrying wooden crosses, simulating the dead of strife-torn Central and South America. He stops when he says the word 'DISAPPEARED': "[It's] a euphemism that death squads use for taking you out in the middle of the night, putting a bullet through your head and not telling anyone about it." Support is "The BoDeans" and "The Pretenders".

" Elevation" tour - november 15, 2001 - Oakland, CA. The Arena in Oakland. During 'New Year's Day', Bono brings a young girl (maybe 8-10 years old) on stage and carries her on his shoulders as he finishes the song. No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins Bono again to sing 'What's Going On.'

U2.com members asked to renew - november 15, 2005. U2.com members are asked to renew their memberships via emails that arrive today. The main draws for renewing are a 20% discount off the $40 (USD) regular price, and a -disc audio and CD-ROM set called U2.Communication, which will include eight live songs. After the Vertigo Tour ticket presale disaster early in the year, the most notable thing about membership renewals at U2.com is the lack of any ticket presale guarantees: "There will not be any ticket guarantees as part of the re-subscription package...We continue to look for fair ways in which we can distribute tickets to our fans on future tours but any solution will not be tied to this re-subscription."

2010-11-21T14:12:00.003Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 14 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY - WBCN radio in Boston / Bono apologizes to Vaillancour / the 100th ZOOTV´s show / "Goldeneye" / "Sunday Bloody Sunday" in Miami / Bono speaks to Canadian Liberals / 92nd 'VERTIGO' show: 'A Day In The Life Of Edge'-Edge and Bono´s interview with fans-Bono films Edge on a part of COBL-Chile´s concert?-NO 'Miracle Drug'-Terry Lawless joins U2 for 'Original Of The Species' / Edge introduced Kasabian in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel ! !

"Boy" tour - november 14, 1980 - U2 perform in Kidderminster, England at the Town Hall.

"October" tour - november 14, 1981 - U2 perform in Boston, Massachusetts at the Orpheum Theater. The show is broadcast live on WBCN radio in the Boston area. When the band leave for the dressing room after Out Of Control, the DJ addresses the radio listeners. 'Pandemonium at the Orpheum Theater tonight, the crowd´s going crazy . U2 are leaving the stage but you know they´ll be back. This is absolutely incredible, the responses here...Well, U2 consider Boston their home away from home, really. The place is going nuts! The crowd is on their feet, and I hope you´re diggin´ it at home. Listen to the clapping hands, people who appreciate good music...that´s Boston, Massachustts for ya. They´re coming back onstage! I see The Edge...'

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 14, 1984. U2 perform in London, England at Wembley Arena. U2 play two crowds of 20,000 people each.

"The Joshua Tree" tour november 14, 1987 - U2 perform in Oakland, California at Oakland Stadium. In two shows, U2 will perform in front of 119,000 fans. On the first night, Bono addresses the crowd about his little spray-painting escapade on November 11, 1987. "As you know i've been getting into a little bit of trouble here in San Francisco. A policeman called me up in my hotel room--he said he was collecting evidence concerning an 'act of violence' down at Vallancourt Fountain. They said, 'Mr. Hewson, we take this thing very seriously in this city.' I said, 'I take it very seriously too, but have you picked up a rock & roll band.' I mean, this is U2. We're the Batman and Robin of rock & roll for God's sake. Anyway, I think it should be explained that there's a difference because Armand Vaillancourt, himself, spraypainted his own scuplture, a few year's ago, when he opened it." Bono is clearly worried about the situation, and wants to prove he didn't do anything malicious. He introduces the aritist in question, Armand Vaillancourt, who walks out on stage and says that he is glad to be at the show, and that he regrets the grafitti has been washed off of his work. Bono apologizes to Vaillancourt, and hands him a can of spraypaint, with which Vaillancourt spraypaints "STOP THE MADNESS!" on U2's stage.

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour november 14, 1992 - U2 perform the final(and 100th!) show of the ZooTV Outside Broadcast Tour in Anaheim, California at Anaheim Stadium. The show is added at the last minute when the tour organizers get together and realize they could sell out another show in the Southern California area. During the show, the upper part of the stadium shakes violently. At future concerts city officials respond by posting signs asking fans to not dance during shows. Larry dedicates "Dirty Old Town" to the "people [who] aren't going to make it; truck drivers, bus drivers, caterers...I want to sing this for their heavy duty work...hard to believe this is the last time I'm going to sing this in the US...I know how disappointed you'll all be..." Bono takes a few minutes to thank the crew for their hard work as the names of the various cities the band has played pass by on the vidi-screens. "...thanks to Paul McGuinness for helping to keep it together all these years, and Ellen Darst, his right-hand lady. Most of our organisation is run by women. A sort of work for them, really! We love them all. it's just too many names to mention..." Bono makes his last phone call of the Outside Broadcast and to George Bush, "That's 1-202-456-1414," he reminds the audience. "Hi, can I speak to George Bush please? What? George isn't available? But it's our last night! Can I leave a message for George? I just want to say that I won't be bothering him anymore from now on....I'm going to be bothering Bill Clinton now..." Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy". The 42 Outside Broadcast dates are attended by 1,847,971 fans, an average of more than 43,000 a night. Only 79,329 tickets remain unsold. The tour grosses $53,913,608US.

"Goldeneye" - november 14, 1995 - Tina Turner releases "Goldeneye" - the theme to the new 007 movie of the same name - written by Bono and The Edge on Capitol records. Edge performs on the record.

"POPMart" tour - november 14, 1997. U2 perform in Miami, Florida. A sentimental rendering of 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' by The Edge, who stood alone under a spotlight, singing, and playing guitar. The Edge's cowboy hat was a suitable affection; he wrangled a range of guitar sounds effectively, whether blowing out blues-rock noise on Discotheque or streaming ambient chords through If You Wear That Velvet Dress.

"Bono speaks to Canadian Liberals" - november 14, 2003 - Bono speaks tonight at the Liberal convention in Toronto for incoming Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin. He begins his 25-minute speech by telling the gathered crowd "I'm not a supporter of any political party." And the focus of his speech is not on one party or another, but on the need to relieve Third World debt and raise money to fight the AIDS crisis in Africa. To the incoming PM, Bono promises "I'm going to become the biggest pain of his life! Paul Martin thinks he likes me. He doesn't know what he signed on for -- more lobbying about debt, begging for letters, petitions for unfair trade, phone calls about money for the global health fund."

92nd 'VERTIGO' show - November 14, 2005 / Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena - Institute. 'A Day In The Life Of Edge' / Edge and Bono´s interview with fans / Bono films Edge on a part of COBL / Chile´s concert? / NO 'Miracle Drug' / Terry Lawless joins U2 for 'Original Of The Species'! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co., I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day - Blackbird, Original of the Species, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): Until the End of the World, The Fly, With or Without You, All Because Of You, Walk On, Bad. Bono and Edge shoot a playful video with fans outside the arena in the afternoon, which includes Bono interviewing fans about The Edge. As the show starts, Bono takes the stage with a handicam and focuses on Edge for the first half of Blinding Lights. During Elevation, Bono takes a Chilean (we think) flag and says 'Coming soon to a stadium near you!' Terry Lawless is on stage for Original of the Species, U2's new U.S. single. It replaces Miracle Drug, which isn't played for the first time this year. The arena sings most of the songs louder than Bono, and security struggle for much of the show to control the crush outside the ellipse. **** A Day in The Life of Edge: Edge and Bono were caught on camera in Miami yesterday afternoon and evening. Guitarist and singer were spotted on South Beach Miami singing In A Little While at a life guard tower. Crowds gathered and fans were delighted to be part of the filming of A Day In The Life of Edge. Filming continued outside the American Airlines Arena before the show last night where Edge led the crowd in a rousing version of 'Streets' and then, using a megaphone, a repeated chant of 'Bono, Bono, Bono'. To add to the excitement and intrigue, City of Blinding Lights opened with Bono and the camera filming the very loud Miami audience. Whats it all about? Watch this space. U2.com **** U2 Perform On Miami Beach - 'In A Little While' - Bono on the beach: yahoo - Photos: flickr

Edge introduced Kasabian in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel - Nov 14, 2008 - Kasabian previewed tracks from their album in London tonight (November 14) after being introduced on stage by U2's The Edge. Taking part in Mencap's series of Little Noise Sessions shows at the Union Chapel, the band played an acoustic set as they headlined the night. The Edge who stood in as compare, supporting Mencap's Don't Stick It, Stop It campaign aimed at stopping school bullying of special needs students. "They support a really crap football team, there music is ok," joked the U2 guitarist. "They don't have echo on their guitars and they haven't written any songs about 60s civil rights leaders." Support had come first from The Hours who The Edge introduced as "gobby and charming"

2010-11-21T14:10:00.000Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 13 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY - U2 start a tour after 3 members agree to be in r&r / "queen" for "Dame" / Amigo Awards / No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins U2 / 91st 'VERTIGO' show: Dutch fans-Bob Hewson B-Day-mic during 'Bullet'-'Wild Horses' to Patti-young boy and a female fan-Happy B-Day to a crew member-The strange and mysterious tale of the origins of The Edge / Edge Helps Launch XO - Give One - Get One / Edge at Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who / The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time !

"Boy" tour - november 13, 1980 - U2 perform in Sheffield, England at the Limit Club.

"October" tour - november 13, 1981- U2 start a 20-date American tour in Albany, New York at J.B. Scott's. The tour almost falls apart as Bono, The Edge, and Larry tell McGuinness that they could not reconcile their religious views with being in a rock'n'roll band. McGuinness points out how hard American Frank Barsalona had worked in organizing the concerts, and asks them to consider the countless others whose efforts would be ignored if they quit. The tour goes on, after the 3 band members agree to perform on the dates.

"ZOOTV - Zooropa" tour - november 13, 1993 - Melbourne - Australia - Cricket Ground. MacPhisto tries to phone the Queen Mother, and the woman talks with him: 'Are you the popular singer?'. As the conversation progress, appears Dame Edna Everage. MacPhisto sings a stanza of God Save The Queen, but substitutes queen for Dame. Before the song is over, Dame Edna gets in a quick plug her upcoming shows in town.

November 13, 1997 - Bono appears in the 1998 Pirelli Calendar.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - november 13, 2000 - Madrid, Spain - Palacio de Congresos - Beautiful Day. U2 perform at the Amigo Awards. Bono's vocals are sung live, but the music was recorded during rehearsal the day before.

"Elevation" tour - november 13, 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. Just as she did a night earlier, No Doubt's Gwen Stefani joins U2 on stage to sing 'What's Going On.' Edge wears blue shirt Born Free.

91st 'VERTIGO' show - November 13, 2005 / Miami, FL - American Airlines Arena - Institute. Dutch fans / Bob Hewson B-Day / mic during 'Bullet' / 'Wild Horses' to Patti / young boy and a female fan / Happy B-Day to a crew member! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Here Comes the Sun, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock the Casbah, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, Happy Birthday, 40. A loud crowd greets U2 as they play in Florida for the first time since 2001. Still Haven't Found is dedicated to Section 105, which includes a big group of Dutch fans who traveled to see tonight's show. During Sometimes..., Bono mentions his dad's birthday. Bob Hewson would have turned 80 today. While blindfolded, Bono needs help from crew member AJ Rankin to guide him to the mic during Bullet. Bono wears a fan's cowboy hat during Wild Horses, which is dedicated to 'Patti, the punk rocker.' A young boy is brought on stage during Sunday Bloody Sunday; a female fan dances with Bono during With or Without You. Bono leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to a member of the band's crew. The strange and mysterious tale of the origins of The Edge! 'Some people don't know that The Edge is from the future. It's important to understand our band, to understand him. Not only from the future, but from the future on a very different planet. Larry and I were standing on a corner on the north side of Dublin and we heard these notes...' (Let the reader understand: Edge is playing the opening four notes of Miracle Drug as the singer digs deep in the imaginative well that is his memory.) 'We looked up to see a spaceship, I guess it was a time-travelling device. It landed on the north side of Dub. We weren't scared. We walked up and a door opened and The Edge walked out.
'I said: 'Who are you?'
'I am The Edge.'
Adam said: 'Where are you from?'
Edge said, 'I'm from the future.'
Larry said: 'What's that like?'
To which Edge replied by citing the price of fuel. ' It's $39.00 a gallon but its much better.... much better.' **** Gavin Rossdale, former Bush frontman.....Institute opened with a heavy jam, then I recognized it was Gavin from Bush that was the lead vocalist and sure enough they played some Bush songs like Everything Zen which was also good fun **** Some photos on: flickr - U2gigs

Edge at Amazing Journey: The Story Of The Who - November 13, 2007 - He's only in it for a few brief snippets at the very end. Edge and Bono were watching The Who on tv. vh1

Edge Helps Launch XO - Give One - Get One! - November 13, 2007 - Edge has created a custom start-up sound for the groundbreaking XO laptop, designed to help children in developing countries 'learn learning'. One Laptop per Child, the non-profit organization behind the XO, revealed details today, as the purchase programme went live in North America. The start-up sound accompanies a unique animation in which an “XO” spins 360 degrees to look like a child. One Laptop per Child (OLPC) manufacture and distribute laptop computers that are sufficiently inexpensive to provide children in developing countries with access to knowledge and modern forms of education. “I'm delighted to support One Laptop Per Child," said Edge. "It's an amazing aim to use this new technology to help children all over the world." At present the laptops are only available in North America - when you buy one, you also provide one for a child in a developing country. More on One Laptop here - laptopgiving. Watch the clip by YouTube here

The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time - November 13, 2008 - 179 experts ranks music's finest vocalists ... 32 - Bono by Billie Joe Armstrong here - 7 - Bob Dylan by Bono here

2010-11-21T00:00:00.001Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 12 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "Bad" (Wide Awaike In America-EP) is recorded / Adam´s bass breaks / ...'his duchess'.../ Lemon / Jacksonville Jaguars football team / Edge´s fan plays "People Get Ready"!

"Boy" tour - november 12, 1980 - U2 perform in Bradford, England at the University.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 12, 1984 - U2 perform in Birmingham, England at the National Exhibition Centre. With 11,000 fans in attendance the shows, the show is the biggest hall date U2 have played. The version of "Bad" performed this evening, eventually appears on the "Wide Awake In America" EP. Support is "The Waterboys".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 12, 1987 - U2 perform in Vancouver, B.C., Canada at B.C. Place. The show was originally planned for Seattle, Washington, but is moved to Vancouver, B.C. because of ticket demands. To compensate fans in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, twenty thousand tickets that include a bus ride to Vancouver are sold. During "Trip Through Your Wires", Adam's Bass cuts out and the concert is momentarily stopped so that he can grab a new one. Support is "The BoDeans" and "Los Lobos".

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - november 12, 1992 - U2 perform in Las Vegas, Nevada at Sam Boyd Silver Bowl. It's a uncharacteristically cold night in Las Vegas and Bono thanks the crowd for coming out. "This place is even more ZooTV than ZooTV...," Bono notes about the city with the large casinos and 24 hour wedding chapels. "Last night, Steve Iredale who's worked with us since the very beginning, and is basically running the whole show here tonight...well, he took his babe down to a little desert church and got married there last night!" Bono dedicates "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" to Steve and "his duchess". Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"ZOOTV - Zoomerang" tour - november 12, 1993. The final leg of the ZooTV tour - dubbed Zoomerang - opens with performances in Melbourne, Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Grounds. Bono does flamenco dance moves to the swinging beat of Lemon, which he sings faultlessly in the high-pitched fat lady voice as on the record. Edge sings along with the Talking Heads-style backup vocals that is played from tape.

"PopMart" tour - november 12, 1997. U2 perform in Jacksonville, Florida. The crowd for tonight's PopMart show in Jacksonville in estimated at only 20,000 (rain showers). At one point, Bono asks the crowd, "Those of you in the back, can you hear us? Both of you?" As U2 descends from the lemon, all four band members are wearing jerseys of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team, which plays its home games in the same stadium. Bono showed why he still is one of the best vocalists and the Edge, with his solo effort on Sunday, Bloody Sunday, surprised the fans.

"Elevation" tour - november 12, 2001 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. Bono brings a girl (guitarist from EXIT band, called Captive) on stage to play guitar during 'People Get Ready.' No Doubt lead singer Gwen Stefani joins Bono in singing 'What's Going On.' Bono sings a brief snippet from 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' during 'Bad.'

Boost for charities backed by stars - November 12, 2008 - Stars including David Beckham and Bono have spoken about receiving a share of $67m for charities they support, after a fundraising scheme by US TV's American Idol. Reese Witherspoon and Annie Lennox also spoke about money donated to charities backed by them. The TV show aimed to raise money for six organisations - The Children's Defence Fund, Children's Health Fund, The Global Fund, Make It Right, Malaria No More and Save The Children.

2010-11-20T23:48:00.003Z

UPDATE NOVEMBER 11 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "Father Is An Elephant" / "Save The Yuppie" in San Francisco / Bono gets a MTV Award / U2 enters UK Hall of Fame / U2´s track to 'Miami Vice: Season Two' / Edge on Word Magazine / 121st VERTIGO show / Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Shows: New Issue of Rolling Stone / U2 Tell the Story Behind 'The Unforgettable Fire'!

"Boy" tour - november 11, 1980 - U2 perform in Canterbury, England at Kent University. A revised set opens with "Stories For Boys" and includes the melodic song called "Father Is An Elephant", which will performed only a couple of times

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 11, 1987 - U2 play an impromptu free gig to "Save the Yuppie" in front of 20,000 people at the Justin Herman Plaza in San Francisco, California. After rumours circulate all morning, the local radio stations finally confirm that at 12:00 noon, U2 will perform for free. The show is taped by one video camera operated by Phil Joanou, and is audiotaped by Jimmy Iovine. The "Save the Yuppies" moniker is in reference to the stock market crash the day before. Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" opens the set, and eventually makes it's way into "Rattle & Hum". During "Sunday Bloody Sunday" Bono berates a fan waving an Irish Tri-Color with "SF + U2" on it: "What's this I see over here? I see two letters: 'SF and U2'...Is that a girl's name or does that stand for 'Sinn Fein', the Irish Republican Army? Because if it does, I don't know how you can stand or stomach to wave that sign this week! 'Cause YOU BASTARDS sent those people...Eleven dead, fifty-five wounded, in the name of Freedom. F--- FREEDOM! Glory to the revolution, that's what he's saying..." The fan slowly lowers the flag, leaving the crowd to wonder why Bono didn't realize SF="San Francisco". During "Pride(In the Name of Love)", Bono spray paints "ROCK & ROLL STOPS THE TRAFFIC" on the nearby Vaillancourt Fountain, an act which outrages mayor Diane Feinstein. Bono is summoned to appear in San Francisco Municipal Court on December 16. A week later all charges are dropped. Fienstein loses the next election.

"LoveTown" tour - november 11, 1989 - Auckland / New Zeland - Western Springs Stadium. The second night is hampered by problems in the crowd-roughness and pushing lead to several hundred passing out in the crowd. Support is B.B. King.

"Bono gets MTV Europe´s Free Your Mind Award" - november 11, 1999 - later sings with Iggy Pop and Marilyn Manson. Bono is given the "Free Your Mind" Award at the 1999 MTV Europe Music Awards for his work on behalf of Jubilee 2000 and at NetAid. After the ceremony, Bono joins Iggy Pop and Marilyn Manson (we're not kidding) for an impromptu jam at a post-event private party - they cover "Johnny B. Goode" and "TV Eye" as a trio. "U2 enters UK Music Hall of Fame" - november 11, 2004. U2 is inducted tonight in London as one of the original five members of the new UK Music Hall of Fame. Bono, however, tells reporters that he's not thrilled by the honor. "I really didn't want to come. Only respect for the people who were running the show has me here. I hate the idea of being in the UK Hall of Fame to be honest with you ... We don't want to be in any Hall of Fame until we're retired or dead."

U2´s track to 'Miami Vice: Season Two' - November 11, 2005 - The Most Innovative and Powerful TV Series of Its Time Returns - The Show's Highest-Rated Season Arrives on DVD December 13, 2005 From Universal Studios Home Entertainment. With All the Original Music by Phil Collins, U2, The Who and Many More Remixed in 5.1 Surround Sound!...

Edge on Word Magazine - November 11, 2005: The Edge: My crazy life in U2 - Without his perfectionism, Bono and Co could not have sustained their success. Mark Ellen gets the view from The Edge Published: 11 November 2005. With the roar of applause still filling the night air, the motorcade moves out. There's a howl of sirens, a metal gate springs open and eight black vehicles leap down a concrete ramp and onto the expressway. We barge through stop signs with our motorcycle escort, waved on by police with scarlet light-sabres. We speed over bridges and plunge through tunnels, the neon glow a smear on the windscreen, the sound amplified by the rain. It's completely absurd and really rather thrilling. U2 are "doing a runner". Boston's basketball arena to the airport in just over six minutes. Is that a good runner as runners go? "That's a fantastic runner," The Edge confirms. "I'd give it... ooh, nine point two. Better than Barcelona where they drive at a speed that's actually life-threatening. And better than Italy where the cops bang on your roof with batons." The Edge wipes the condensation from the window and peers into the blur of blinking lights. He shrugs self-consciously in a manner that suggests the whole thing's preposterous but, at their level, it's the only practical way they can operate. "To some extent, you gauge the degree of affection within a city by the quality of the back-up you get," he adds, professionally. "And we've had an amazing connection with Boston over the years. They've always looked after us." Dave Evans has lived like this for nearly 30 years, a cycle of songwriting, recording and performance that started when he was 17. He's known no other life. And for the past 20 years he's operated at this kind of level, travelling with a team of three technicians and 60 crew in order to replicate as faithfully as possible the music he creates in the studio. He was born in Essex to Welsh parents, moved to north Dublin at the age of one - "massive identity crisis!" - and is now 44 with three daughters by his childhood sweetheart, and another daughter and a son by his second wife, the band's former choreographer. He's helped sustain a formula that sells both records and tickets in every last reach of the world market. He's the unsung hero who orchestrates the sound of the greatest rock 'n' roll success story of our time, a band for which his old schoolfriend is largely the public face. "Bono is still hungry and that's the reason the band's lasted so long," The Edge's brother Dik Evans told me. "Bono does his bit - and that's critical - but none of them do as much as my brother. Edge is basically the engine room, working every day in the studio to make the records happen. And they wouldn't happen without him." The convoy grinds to a halt in that remote outpost of Logan airport reserved only for the owners of private aircraft. Small and shiny Lear jets are parked on the tarmac. New and sparkling Gulfstreams stand beside them. And there at the back, dwarfing them all, is a 60-seater Airbus 320 emblazoned with the violet and orange insignia of the Vertigo tour and the logo of the city's four adopted sons. It was from Boston, famously, that the 9/11 terrorists departed - on flights originally heading for Los Angeles - so security is now unimaginably tight. But there is a special dispensation for the quartet who have just entranced the 20,000-seater Fleet Center. "Sir," the customs are reminded, "this gentleman walks right through." America has adopted U2 and nowhere more so than in the city we're leaving. Boston has the highest concentration of Irish immigrants in the States, and a student population of nearly 400,000, and it was East Coast college radio, back in 1981, that first picked up on the music of U2. The Edge remembers playing a bar in Boston to just 300 souls, opening for a band called Malooga. When their support set finished, the entire audience left the venue. They were breaking America below the radar. Twenty-five years later, those 300 were doubtless back to renew the acquaintance, but this time they'd brought 19,700 friends. The roar greeting U2 was deafening, especially from the Irish quarter. One person waved a banner announcing GOD'S COUNTRY. Another hurled his striped green football top over the barrier and The Edge put it on, while the singer stalked the outer limits of the catwalk. Bono looked back, astonished. "Nice shirt, The Edge." He turned to the crowd. "Great to be home with our tribe!" New singles from an act in their third decade are usually met with polite applause - or in the States, cries of "Do some old!" - but U2 have engineered the impossible feat of still being regarded as contemporary. Rarely in a show are you conscious of being plunged back into the past. Their recent material is so strong you don't even feel the need to go there. Every night an entertaining drama is built around the band's inscrutable architect. As The Edge plays a note cycle like the call sign in Close Encounters, Bono leans into the microphone. "This," he points stage left, "is the same sound as The Edge's spaceship made when it arrived in the north of Dublin. Larry and myself and Adam just stood there and stared. A door opened and out came this astounding-looking man. Larry said: 'Who are you?' and he said: 'I am The Edge.' And Adam said: 'Where are you from?' and he said: 'The future.' And I said: 'What's it like?' and he said: 'It's better!' " Half an hour later comes the supreme piece of theatre. Bono asks the crowd to hold up their mobile phones in a digital reconstruction of the Great Cigarette Lighter Scare of the 1970s - in fact, a cunning ruse to then flash them the number of the One campaign for the eradication of Third World debt so they can text their support. Around the amphitheatre, on all six levels, thousands of pale blue lamps twinkle in the heavens. Everyone, even the band, appears stunned by the spectacle. "The Edge," Bono wonders, "is this your galaxy?" The following afternoon, The Edge is to be found in a 12th-floor apartment in SoHo stirring an iced tea and gazing out to New Jersey through a wall of glass. He is good company - thoughtful, quite serious and very dry at times: "What I'm most proud of is my humility," he tells me at one point. His perfectly constructed sentences betray the intense powers of concentration required to operate the gigantic sound system reproduced on stage by, effectively, just a trio with a singer. "Our music has no roof on it. It wasn't inspired by the juke-joint blues mentality, it was coming from a different place. We're playing to our strengths, and our strengths in some ways are to keep it very stripped down and simple." But the trick, presumably, is to create a sense of intimacy, even when playing in an enormous space. "Well I've seen bands in small venues and they can't communicate and I've seen stadium shows where everyone is completely unified, so it's not really about the size of the venue. It's largely about the songs. I saw Bob Marley in Dalymount Park, in Dublin, in '79, his last tour I think, and it was just unarguable. I've seen Springsteen on a couple of occasions where it's been unbelievable, that connection he's been able to create. I never saw The Clash in a big venue but they were one of the great live acts of all time, as were Stiff Little Fingers. "I saw the Waterboys in the Top Hat, in Dun Laoghaire, around the time of "The Whole Of The Moon", one of those nights where it just went off - the intention, the will, the wish to communicate, to get across to a crowd. Mike Scott was a great talent. It's not about internal performance, not about trying to maintain your cool. All that left me with an instinct about what's required to put on a great concert, where there's never a dull moment in the night. A lot of it is pure theatre. Springsteen has theatre. Jimi Hendrix had theatre. The Clash had theatre. But if that's all it is, then it loses out. You have to have an aspect of spontaneity where you really don't know what's going to happen. A jeopardy. An interaction between the performer and the audience." How do U2 write songs? "You start by being the new generation that establishes its identity by rejecting the previous generation, that's part of the cycle. But in the end you keep writing till you get close to what you think is the best song in the world." Which for you would be what? "Different things for different times. We'd always go to different people in our heads. It could be Bob Marley. It could be John Lennon. It could be The Clash. Early on it was probably The Fall, the Bunnymen, Magazine. All those influences are there at the back of your mind when you're working on something, and you kind of jump off those influences. But we've never put anything out because it reminded us of somebody. In the end it's got to be something unique. "I thought 'Out Of Control' was too like the Skids but in the end it sounded like us. 'Running To Stand Still', I was worried it sounded too much like Lou Reed. The first version of 'One', which I did with just an acoustic guitar and a piano, I thought sounded too much like John Lennon. Everyone else was saying: 'You're going to have to kick it somewhere else.' Then Brian [Eno] and Danny [Lanois, the co-producers] came in and gave it another twist and I came up with the electric guitar part." "I gave it a tweak," says Lanois, "and I put that Les Paul mantra line on it. Edge is smart enough, they all are, to let ideas come from any part of the studio. They've had a number of very beautiful songs based on four repeat-chords, but he is the master of the riff, one of the great musical forces. He's the driving wheel, pretty much in charge of what happens harmonically." "I said let's knock it around for half an hour," recalls The Edge, "and we went back to the main room at Hansa - this huge room, a fantastic 1920s ballroom in Berlin; Bowie made Low there, Nick Cave's recorded there. All four of us went in, I started playing the chords, Bono got on-mike and got that idea of the 'one' chorus pretty much in the first improvisation, and it had an amazing emotional feeling. It was pretty much there in three hours. "Ultimately, if rock 'n' roll is going to be around in 500 years' time, it's going to be because people are still writing great songs. Bob Dylan was quoted as saying: 'I can't write those songs any more, I can't write like I did in the Sixties.' I'm not sure that I would agree with him - though he would know better about himself than I would - but our thing is always changing. We are still learning as a band after 25 years and that's about as good as it's ever going to get." He talks about the score to the Spider-Man musical he's writing with Bono, intended as a Broadway production in two years' time. And about his wife and how she says he's insufferable for the first month after he comes off tour - at eight every night he gets this tremendous burst of adrenaline. But mostly he talks about his relationship with three other boys from Mount Temple Comprehensive and the luck, hard work and delicate negotiation that's allowed their relationship to survive. "Not everything Bono does would I necessarily agree with, but you've got to acknowledge that everyone's got their own particular opinion. We don't like all that the others do, but it's the compromise that makes it work. Nobody has ever betrayed their initial commitment to the group and what's best for it. It's all about the songs. If it's great, it's great in spite of us, not because of us. I honestly still think of us as four chancers from north Dublin." The three other chancers get a little emotional when asked to shine the light on the engine room. "Edge, when I met him, always had this otherworldly quality," Adam Clayton reflects, "along with amused, detached cool. My impression now is exactly the same." "In nearly 30 years," Larry Mullen says, "I've learnt never to underestimate him. On any level. His dogged, relentless search for the perfect song, the perfect sound, the perfect idea. He possesses so many qualities I aspire to." Bono's slice of poetry is delivered with a wolfish grin: "Beneath the stillness, the Zen-like mastery of arpeggios and perfectly chosen crystal notes, there is a rage, an explosive side, as I've learnt on more than a few occasions. Never pick a fight with a man who earns his living through perfect hand-to-eye co-ordination." This is an edited extract from a longer interview in the current edition of 'The Word'.

121st VERTIGO show - November 11, 2006 - SYDNEY - AUSTRALIA - Telstra Stadium - Kanye West - At the second concert in Sydney, U2 made three major adjustments to the previous night's setlist. The first was the return of I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, which missed the first two Australian shows despite being a Vertigo Tour setlist regular since June 2005. The second was Stuck In A Moment, and unlike the stripped down performances played previously on Vertigo, this was a full band version much like the Elevation Tour's version, and it was dedicated to Michael Hutchence. The third change, and by far the biggest surprise, was the appearance of a full band, electric version of Desire in the second encore. This song has only been played once before on the Vertigo Tour; Bono and Edge played an acoustic version on 21 February 2006 in Sao Paulo in response to an audience member's request. Tonight's version was a ramshackle and rough affair, but nonetheless fun and enjoyable. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo - She Loves You / Elevation - Spinning Around / Until The End Of The World / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day - Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (snippet) - Blackbird (snippet) - Bono speech - said everyone in the family is well / I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In A Little While (snippet) / Stuck In A Moment / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own - Torna a Surriento (snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday (Father Abraham bit) / Bullet the Blue Sky - Hands That Built America - When Johnny Comes Marching Home / Miss Sarajevo - Human Rights / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One - My Sweet Lord / ENCORE: Zoo Station / The Fly / With Or Without You - Never Tear Us Apart - Love Will Tear Us Apart (Snippet) / Saints Are Coming / Desire - Not Fade Away - Gold Digger / Kite - source: macphisto.net. Sydney's atmosphere. 'I know this is not goodbye' ... There’s been a Japanese TV crew here today, and as well as talking to Larry and Edge about the upcoming Japanese dates and the release of ‘U218 Singles’, they are shooting the show. The showers from last night are nowhere to be seen as the band arrive on stage and by the time we reach Elevation, Bono slips a little Kylie into the set – a lovely touch as she is also performing in town tonight, now recovered from illness. ... ‘This is the third time we've played this tune,’ says Bono, as The Saints Are Coming bursts into the night air like it’s 1978. ‘Want to dedicate this to our friends in Green Day and the people in Louisiana…New Orleans...’ ... ‘There’s three things that connect the Irish and the Aboriginal culture,’ muses Bono. ‘Humour, story telling and a fierce temper...’ the crowd - - flickr - Edge - The bnd - U2-Vertigo-tour

I Still Haven't Found ...

Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary Shows: New Issue of Rolling Stone - 11/11/09

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U2 Tell the Story Behind 'The Unforgettable Fire' -- Exclusive Video Posted on Nov 11th 2009 11:15AM by Ashley Iasimone With the recent 25th anniversary special edition reissue of 1984's 'The Unforgettable Fire,' U2 are stepping back to remember the making of the album. Bono and company employed producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois to help them experiment musically, and while it seemed like an unlikely combination then, their work on 'The Unforgettable Fire' led to a creative breakthrough for the band. It also helped to deliver the lead single 'Pride (In the Name of Love),' which became U2's biggest hit at the time. In the exclusive interview clip after the jump, U2 discuss Eno, Lanois and Ireland's Slane Castle, where the album was initially recorded. Watch the video to find out how the experience "deconstructed U2" and what the band learned from it.

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2010-11-20T23:39:00.002Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 10 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: First cover story outside Ireland / Live recording to an EP / 1989, a very important year to the world / Superman and his new wife / Edge´s "Sunday Bloody Sunday" / Second Best Of is #2 / Only U2 will survive, says Simply Red´s Mick Hucknell / 120th VERTIGO show / Singled out: Bono credits The Edge as the man behind their third retrospective collection, U218 Singles, released on November 18 !

"U2´s first cover story outside Ireland" - november 10, 1979. U2 is featured on the cover of Record Mirror, a British music magazine. It's their first cover story outside of Ireland. Bono tells Chris Westwood: "I want people in London to see and hear the band. I want to replace the bands in the charts now, because I think we're better."

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 10, 1984 - Manchester / England - Apollo Theatre. U2 are discussing releasing an EP (Unforgettable Fire sessions combined with some live recordings from the tour) to generate more support for the tour. These two shows, as well as the next three upcoming dates in Birmingham, London, and Dortmund, Germany are also recorded.

"LoveTown" tour - november 10, 1989 - U2 perform in Auckland, New Zealand at Western Spring Stadium. The first show is actually the second show to be put on sale. When the 60,000 tickets for the 11th sell fast, a second gig is added--however, it only sells 20,000 tickets. The smaller crowd is more to U2's liking, and results in a better show. "One Tree Hill" is heavy with sentiment, and is dedicated to Greg Carroll. Towards the end of the show, Bono also comments on the developments in Communist countries(China and the Eastern Bloc), where anti-Government/Pro-democracy protests have been in the news for weeks. "I'd like to dedicate this song to the brave ones who have brough such great change to East Germany in the last few days, and for the brave ones who've lost their lives trying to bring about great change in China. The Eighties have been full of a lot of bullshit. But when they're writing the history books, 1989 is going to be a very important year for the world..."Support is B.B. King.

"ZOOTV - Broadcast" tour - november 10, 1992 - U2 perform in San Diego, California at Jack Murphy Stadium. The venue only sells 33,575 seats out of 55,000. During "Trying To Throw Your Arms Around The World", Bono spots a girl in a wedding dress. "Is this a fancy dress, or did you really tie the knot here?" The girl, who was married earlier in the day is accompanied on stage by her new husband. "Superman and his new wife!" Bono exclaims to the cheering crowd. "Well...all I can say is the people of San Diego pronounce you man and wife!" Bono comments on the US Presidential elections a few days earlier, "You've got four years to see if you can turn the whole world around. I hope Bill Clinton is what he says is is, because if he's not we're all f---ed, let's face it..." Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"POPMart' tour - november 10, 1997 - U2 perform in Tampa, Florida Houlihans Stadium. Crowd is only 20.232 people. The Edge performed a solo version of "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," a song he said they hadn't performed in a while, until a recent show in Sarajevo.

"Best Of opens at number 2 in UK charts" - november 10, 2002. U2's The Best of 1990-2000 debuts at No. 2 on the UK album charts, behind One Love by the group Blue.

Only U2 will survive, says Simply Red´s Mick Hucknell - November 10, 2005 - HUCKNELL: 'COLDPLAY IS FOR INSOMNIACS' - SIMPLY RED frontman MICK HUCKNELL has hit out at pop sensations COLDPLAY, dubbing their music only suitable "for insomniacs". The STARS hitmaker insists out of the current generation of chart-toppers, only U2 will survive - blaming record labels for neglecting talent. He says, "U2 should still be there (in 20 years time), but not many others. The problem is the major labels are too busy pleasing shareholders, which means rapid returns. There's little investment in long-term careers and there are no major icons. Coldplay music is for insomniacs." contactmusic

120th VERTIGO show - November 10, 2006 - Australia - Sydney - Telstra Stadium - Kanye West. Today, U2 performed the first of three concerts in Sydney, New South Wales. U2 took the stage at roughly 8:40pm local time and performed a setlist identical to Brisbane's, except with some different snippets. These snippets included the combination of INXS's Never Tear Us Apart and Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart that was rehearsed in Brisbane the night before the first gig of the new leg. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation - Can't Get You Out Of My Head (snippet) / Until The End Of The World / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day - Here Comes The Sun (snippet) / Yahweh / Walk On / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday - Rock The Casbah (snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky - When Johnny Comes Marching Home - The Hands That Built America (snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One - Encore(s): Zoo Station / The Fly / With Or Without You - Never Tear Us Apart (snippet) - Love Will Tear Us Apart (snippet) / The Saints Are Coming / Angel Of Harlem / Kite - Some photos: U2gigs - interference - - 70,000 fans ... Bring on the rain, it's what we need,'' he sang. ... There is no doubt that the 70,000 fans had a deep and enduring connection to U2's music, sending their voices soaring to the heavens during classic anthems, One, Pride (In the Name of Love) and With or Without You - during which he pulled a girl on stage and serenaded her. ... Of course there was a strong message delivered with the music, with Bono asking for Australia's continued support for the Make Poverty History campaign, urging Sydney to remain a peaceful multi-cultural city. U2 perform again tonight and Monday at Telstra stadium, with limited tickets available. ... Pam finally got to meet her idol Bono, telling him he is ‘a ray of light in a dark world’. She gave him a package containing a note outlining her RTA woes, along with the RTA’s route map. ... northernstar - Edge´s advice: “to all go home to your beds.”

Singled out: Bono credits The Edge as the man behind their third retrospective collection, U218 Singles, released on November 18 - November 10, 2006 - And admits he cannot stand to listen back to the band's early work. "I had nothing to do with it. I can't stand it. I can't stand listening to our music, I break out in a rash. It's all the coulda, shouldas. And in the'80s, I think I sang like a girl. A girl with a mullet," he laughs. "One of the reasons why we did the book (U2 By U2) and the album is that if we're caught in retrospection, it seems like a good moment to stop for a while. "We have a younger audience that has come through because of the last two albums. And (this) makes it easy for people to get it all in one. "Edge, when we did the decade collections, actually made me sit down and listen to the running order. "As gauche and as raw and as unfinished as a lot of the lyrics felt to me, there was an ecstatic quality to the early U2 that's very rare. "I can now understand why somebody wouldn't like it but I understand more why other people thought it was great. The hardest thing to contrive is joy; it's actually impossible and there's pure joy in there in places. And there's also a little boy screaming his head off, or a little girl." U2 perform at Telstra Stadium tonight, Saturday and Monday, with limited tickets still available. U218 Singles is released on November 18.

2010-11-20T23:32:00.002Z

UPDTE - NOVEMBER 9 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: '11 O'Clock Tick Tock' was born in Manchester / Berlin Wall is torn down / a fan plays piano at stage / 90th 'VERTIGO' show: Two girls on stage-"Gloria"-a Rwandan or Senegalese flag / Vertigo To Continue-2006 CONFIRMATION FROM U2.COM / Humanitarian Award to Music Rising in NYC / U2 is the No. 2 top-selling artist of all time on Amazon.com!

"Boy" tour - november 9, 1980 - U2 perform in London, England at the Moonlight Club.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 9, 1984 - U2 perform in Manchester, England at the Apollo Theater. During the first show, Bono mentions that 11 O´Clock Tick Tock was brorn in Manchester and this city was one of the first in Britain to support U2: 'We drove up in a van from London and played in a little room. You couldn´t have been there, there was only about three people there. Oh you were the three. I see...'

"Berlin Wall and Communism collapse" - november 9, 1989 - The Berlin Wall is torn down. Communist governments in Eastern Europe collapse.

"Elevation" tour - november 09, 2001 - Salt Lake City, UT - Delta Center. A fan is brought on stage to play piano as U2 covers Curtis Mayfield's 'People Get Ready.' Bono sings a brief snippet from 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' during 'Bad.'

90th 'VERTIGO' show - November 09, 2005 / Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena - Damian Marley. Two girls on stage / "Gloria" / a Rwandan or Senegalese flag! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, Gloria, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment, With or Without You, All Because of You, Fast Cars, Bad - People Have the Power. Bono sings a bit of 'Rockaway Beach' during Vertigo and some of 'Exodus' during I Still Haven't Found.... The 'pixel panel' curtains aren't working during Streets, and remain in the 'up' position trhoughout the song, leaving the arena bathed in red and green lights, but without showing the African flags. **** Two girls on stage / a Rwandan or Senegalese flag! Bono dancing with the girl during "With or Without You." Another girl brought up to play tambourine during "Fast Cars." Bono asked for what was either a Rwandan or a Senegalese flag during "ISHFWILF" and gave it a little twirl before handing it back. Some photos on: interference

Vertigo To Continue - 2006 CONFIRMATION FROM U2.COM - November 9, 2005 - U2.com exclusively confirm that there will be a Vertigo//2006 tour. Vertigo//2006 will commence in early February with stops planned in Mexico, South America, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Specific details will be released over the next few weeks.

Microsoft strikes deal with Universal Music Group for Zune music service - November 9, 2006 - Microsoft and Universal Music Group say they have struck a licensing deal for the software company's new Zune portable music player and digital music store that calls for the recording company to get paid a cut of the sales of the device. Executives at both companies declined to disclose the financial terms of the deal.

Humanitarian Award to Music Rising in NYC - November 9, 2006 - The Billboard Touring Awards honor the concert industry's top artists and professionals for the year, based on the Billboard Boxscores chart. Recognition for finalists and awards is based on actual box office performance. In addition, Billboard honor two individuals who have made a significant impact on the touring industry with the Legend of Live & the Humanitarian Awards. The 2006 winners were announced at the 3rd annual Billboard Touring Awards reception on November 9th from 7pm - 9pm at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC. digitalspy - wbir - billboard

"U2 is the No. 2 top-selling artist of all time on Amazon.com" - November 9, 2006 - said Peter Faricy, vice president of music at Amazon.com. "We look forward to sharing this groundbreaking exclusive performance from the world-renowned band with our customers."

2010-11-13T20:26:00.003Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 8 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: 11 people are killed in an IRA bombing of a Remembrance Day Parade / "Helter Skelter", "Silver And Gold", and "Pride(In the Name of Love)", "Exit", "In God's Country", and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" appear in the movie "Rattle & Hum" / calm down the crowd / Bonoman(97) wears MacPhisto's horns and gold jacket / 89th 'VERTIGO' show: 'Mysterious Ways'-U2 play 'One Tree Hill'-Green Day, Lance Armstrong, Robin Williams / Sebastian Clayton about some old posts / Bono and Pearl Jam in Sydney / Joshua Tree Demo Revealed ('Wave of Sorrow’) / Bono watching Arsenal and Manchester United!!

"Boy" tour - november 8, 1980 - U2 perform in Southampton, England at the University.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 8, 1987 - Denver - CO - McNichols Arena After a discussion with Phil Joanou, the second night's performance is much more "crowd friendly"--the cameras are much less obtrusive. The show is charged--in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland 11 people are killed in an IRA bombing of a Remembrance Day Parade. Bono lets his anger show during "Sunday Bloody Sunday": "Let me tell you something, I've had enough of Irish Americans who haven't been back to their country in 20 or 30 years who come up to me and talk about the resistenace...the revolution back home...and the glory of dying for the revolution. F--- THE REVOLUTION! They don't talk about the glory of killing for the revolution, what's the glory in taking a man from his bed and gunning him down in front of his wife and children? Where's the glory in that? Where's the glory in bombing a Remembrance Day parade of old age pensioners, their medals taken out and polished up for the day? Where's the glory in that? To leave them dying or crippled for life or under the rubble of a revolution that the majority of the people in my country don't want. NO MORE!" The feeling of the show changes towards the end of the show--the band appear a bit more relaxed. Bono's anger seems to have subsided during "Spanish Eyes" Bono spots a woman in the crowd with a tambourine. "Who is this lady? Bring her to me!" he says to security. At the end of the song, the woman hands Bono the tambourine and returns to her seat as Bono starts singing the chorus, "Whey-hey-hey...baby hang on..." Adam joins in with the bass, and Bono jokes, "I was just getting it together with the folks, Adam. I thought I was pretty good." Bono is much more relaxed and plays with the crowd, "At the moment we're really stuck for a place to go afterwards tongith...has anyone got a house for us?" The crowd roar their response, and Bono's reply of "I didn't quite catch your name.." is muffled. "Helter Skelter", "Silver And Gold", and "Pride(In the Name of Love)", "Exit", "In God's Country", and "Sunday Bloody Sunday" appear in the movie "Rattle & Hum".

"LoveTown" tour - november 8, 1989 - U2 perform in Wellington, New Zealand at Athletic Park. Prior to U2 taking the stage, U2's production manager Steve Iredale comes on stage and tells the crowd that U2 will not come on until the crowd take a step back. Throughout the night Bono has to ask the crowd to calm down, and asks them to look after each other. After "Pride(In the Name of Love)", the band leave the stage and Bono announces, "Sorry, I have to take a piss". Support is B.B. King.

"POPMart" tour - november 8, 1997 - U2 perform in St. Louis, Missouri - Trans World Dome - Edge´s karaoke this night is 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' During 'Bullet the Blue Sky' Bono brings up a male fan who is dressed as MacPhisto, Bono's old alter-ego from the Zooropa Tour of 1993. Bono gives the fan his hat and jacket and wears MacPhisto's horns and gold jacket - the first MacPhisto appearance since 1993.

89th 'VERTIGO' show - OAKLAND - NOVEMBER 8, 2005: 'Mysterious Ways' / U2 play 'One Tree Hill' / Lance Armstrong, Robin Williams! November 08, 2005 / Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena - Damian Marley. City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, Mysterious Ways, Until the End of the World, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - One Tree Hill. Encore(s): Zoo Station, The Fly, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono and Edge add a verse and chorus from 'One Tree Hill' to the end of One. The full song hasn't been played since December, 1993, in New Zealand. And tonight's snippet is played as rumors swirl that the band is about to announce a tour of New Zealand and Australia early next year. The planned setlist shows 'Bad" as the final song, but the band chooses 40 instead. Many celebs in attendance tonight. Green Day. Lance Armstrong. Robin Williams. Photos on: U2gigs

Sebastian Clayton about some old posts - November 8, 2005 - U2.com director visits Net Nanny - Getting ready for last night's Mystery Train on RTE 1 radio. About U2's official site, U2.com: it turned out to be Sebastian Clayton, director of U2.com, whose first revelation will have many old school online fans checking their e-mail archives thinking 'OMG, did I really post that?': 'There was a ginormous U2 community, online before we ever launched an official site. There was a mailing list called 'Wire', they used to e-mail each other all the time, just a ginormous mailing list where all the fans used to keep in touch with each other. The band and I joined up to it just to see what was going on and how it worked and what happened and what people were saying. And once we saw that there were so many people involved and inspired by this mailing list we decided that it would be a good idea to put together an official site for them.' Seb also reveals a lot of people have been asking the site about blogging, 'so we're looking into that.'

Bono and Pearl Jam in Sydney - November 8, 2006 - U2 frontman BONO joined members of Pearl Jam at Sydney, Australia hotspot Hemmesphere on Wednesday night (08NOV06) to celebrate US election results. The Seattle, Washington-based rockers and activists were toasting the success of Democratic candidates in the US midterm elections, which were broadcast via US cable news services. After their concert on Wednesday, the band partied at the posh nightspot and were joined by good mate Bono from U2 and support band, Kings of Leon. Bono and Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder are also expected to make an appearance at the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne, Australia on 17 November (06).

Joshua Tree Demo Revealed ('Wave of Sorrow’) - November 8, 2007

- The remastered Joshua Tree features several unreleased demos from The Joshua Tree Sessions. Bono recently added new vocals to one of them, 'Wave of Sorrow’, and this week talked about the inspiration for the song. Interviewed in New York, Bono explains that Wave of Sorrow ‘was one of the songs from the Joshua Tree sessions that we never finished… a song that was trying to describe experiences that myself and Ali had when we were working in Ethiopia during the famine.’ The track is one of several rare and previously unreleased cuts which feature on the bonus audio CD, which comes with the deluxe edition of the re-released album.
U2.com

Bono watching Arsenal and Manchester United - November 8, 2008

Irish musician Bono from U2 is seen in the stands before the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Arsenal's Emirates Stadium in London, Nov. 8, 2008. daylife

2010-11-13T20:16:00.003Z

UPDATE - NOVEMBER 7 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: University's rock / A Waterboy joins U2 at stage / Filming a rockumentary / A tribute to concert promoter Bill Graham / A fan plays "All Along The Watchtower" /Planmusic announces Vertigo in Brazil(February 2006) / 119TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR: Bono paid tribute to the Go Betweens frontman-Bono thanks the patience of the Australians fans-the first time the band have performed The Saints Are Coming without Greenday-Kite has closed a show, it featured a didgeridoo, and during the song, Bono flew and released a kite-David Hicks-'look at that beautiful moon! Oh, it's a spotlight' / The Saints Are Coming (video) version 2 is released !

"Boy" tour - november 7, 1980 - U2 perform in Exeter, England at the University. Playing mostly universities and rock clubs with a few hundred people in attendance, the itinerary includes several London shows, as well as return visits to venues already in September.

November 7, 1981 - U2's "October" album enters the BillBoard Top 200 at #181.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - november 7, 1984 - U2 perform in Glasgow, Scotland at Barrowlands. During the second show, Bono hands out cups of water to people who are getting squashed in the front. Charlie Burchill of "The Waterboys", during the soundcheck in the afternoon, pops up for a chat and after, joins U2 on stage for "40", while his whole band watch from the back. Bono dedicates 40 to them and afterwards the audience turn around and applaud them when a spotlight points them out. Support is "The Waterboys".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 7, 1987 - U2 perform in Denver, Colorado at McNichols Arena. During the soundcheck, the band rehearse "She's A Mystery To Me", which Roy Orbison will record for his "Mystery Girl" album. Denver has been chosen as the site to film the 35 mm black & white film footage for the "Rattle & Hum" rockumentary. Multiple cameras have been set up in the arena, including two that cross the front of the stage on tracks between the audience and the stage. Cameramen walk on and off-stage to capture the concert from as many angles as possible. On the first night, U2 acknowledge their performance at Red Rocks on June 5, 1983. During "New Year's Day", Bono sings, "You were there when the rain was coming down?....Icy fingers, warm hearts...warm hearts..." The film crew capture the show as well as possible, but in many cases block the audiences view, and suffer from camera breakdowns.

"ZOOTV - Broadcast" tour - november 7, 1992 - U2 perform in Oakland, California at Oakland Stadium. U2 perform in front almost 60,000 fans in one night. "One" is dedicated to the Needlepoint Exchange, a national organization that supplies needles to intravenous drug users across the country. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" is dedicated to concert promoter Bill Graham (he was one of the responsibles for 1986-Conspiracy Of Hope tour and Save The Yuppies show) who had passed away earlier in a helicopter accident. As the show ends Bono softly whispers, "Bill Graham is still in the building". Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"Elevation tour" - november 07, 2001 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center - A fan is pulled on stage to perform All Along the Watchtower, which starts as an acoustic number, and eventually becomes a full band version. Edge wears this night "Born Free" (light blue) shirt.

Planmusic announces Vertigo in Brazil(February 2006) - November 8, 2005 - U2 come to Brazil to play two shows in February 2006 - Irish band U2 will play two shows in Brazil in February 2006, informed the press assistance of Planmusic, coordenated by Luiz Oscar Niemeyer, this Monday. Second this assistance, the negotiations to the shows in Brazil, are confirmed and, "as that all details of the new visit of the band to the country could be confirmed, Luiz Oscar Niemeyer will talk oficially".

119TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR - BRISBANE/ AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 7, 2006: Bono paid tribute to the Go Betweens frontman-Bono thanks the patience of the Australians fans-the first time the band have performed The Saints Are Coming without Greenday-Kite has closed a show, it featured a didgeridoo, and during the song, Bono flew and released a kite-David Hicks-'look at that beautiful moon! Oh, it's a spotlight.' Queensland Sports & Athletics Centre - Kanye West: Wake Up- Arcade Fire / City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Until The End Of The World / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day / Yahweh / Walk On / Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet The Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride / Where The Streets Have No Name / One - Encore: Zoostation / The Fly / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Angel Of Harlem / Kite. Snippets: Elevation / Streets Of Your Town - Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own / The Black Hills Of Dakota - Bullet The Bullet Sky / When Johnny Comes Marching Home / The Hands That Build America - With Or Without You / Streets Of Your Town. It is reported that Bono paid tribute to the Go Betweens frontman, Grant McLennan, by singing a snippet of “Streets of Your Town”. Before Yahweh, Bono said all families members are again healthy and he is thankful for the patience of the Australians fans. As rehearsals indicated the band have included a few extra songs from All That You Can’t Leave Behind (Walk On and Kite) at the expense of a couple of songs from How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. Also, the concert marks the first time the band have performed the Saints Are Coming without Greenday. Angel of Harlem is also a song that was not widely played in 2005 and early 2006. Kite has closed a show, it featured a didgeridoo, and during the song, Bono flew and released a kite. During Angel Of Harlem, Bono sung "Young Australians" to the tune of Young Americans. Famous Vertigo Tour elements remain, such as the "coexist" segment in Sunday Bloody Sunday, the blindfold routine in Bullet The Blue Sky, the Human Rights Declaration segment before Pride, the Africa intro to Where The Streets Have No Name, and a speech relating to mobile phones before One. Sunday Bloody Sunday's speech segment began with Bono calling for David Hicks, an Australian held by the US in Guantanamo on suspicion of being a terrorist, to be returned to Australia in order to receive "a fair trial". On a lighter note, Bono made a funny comment at the start of his One speech: "look at that beautiful moon! Oh, it's a spotlight." Some great photos: U2gigs. *** Edge throwing some classic rock'n'roll shapes. Edge made funny noises on his guitar while chirping like a cricket into Bono's microphone. Kite: Edge used one of his Gibson 70's Les Paul customs in cream colour and Bono used what looked like a black Gibson Hummingbird acoustic. Walk On: Bono used his Gretsch Irish Falcon, Edge used one of the Music Rising guitars, the black one with the Music Rising logo on it.
The Saints Are Coming:

The Saints Are Coming (video) version 2 is released - November 7, 2006 - Directed by Chris Milk. Version 2, with additional footage. BBN was cut out, more Army helping the Red Cross and the people of NOLA thanknig the troops backing home to support them, 'Mission Accomplished' banner, 'Troops Greeted as Liberators'. More Larry. "The Saints Are Coming," is currently No. 27 on Billboard's airplay-based Modern Rock chart.

2010-10-31T19:14:00.002Z

UPDATE - OCTOBER 30 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: a radio controlled truck / repeating Dutch lines / Larry is showered with champagne by the roadies / a bit of "Rain" / a site to promote Best Of / at TRL program / "ATYCLB" is released / an INXS-shirt in Providence / U2 was the winner of the Award of Awards category and guitarist The Edge was honoured with the Innovation in Sound award / BONO - The U2 frontman sits down for Rolling Stone 40th anniversary to talk about the future, the Buzzcocks and reasons to compromise / U2 perform at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 25th anniversary concert

"October" tour - october 30, 1981- U2 perform in Amsterdam, Holland at the Paradiso. Support for the sold out gig is "Phantom Limb". Bono announces Larry Mullen's 20th birthday and leads the crowd in singing "Happy Birthday". Backstage, Bono presents Larry with his gift--a radio controlled truck.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 30, 1984 - U2 perform in Rotterdam, Holland at the Sport Paleis Ahoy. The 16,000 tickets for the venue sold out in two hours. U2 play two of the best shows of the tour so far. Bono finally masters the dramatic 'I´m wide awake' part in 'Bad'. He tries to repeat the Dutch lines that he learned in Hazttem in 1982, saying that he wished he could speak Dutch but couldn´t manage it. Indeed, his pronunciation has become even worse.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 30, 1987 - Chicago / IL - Rosemont Horizon - The third night, Bono allows two girls who have a "THERE IS BUT ONE FLAG -- THE WHITE FLAG" banner on stage, during Edge´s solo guitar in 'New Year´s Day.' They hug Bono, who momentarily withdraws because of his sore shoulder. Edge watches, pale-faced, but he recovers, apologizes to the two girls and continues with the show. During the encore performance of "Party Girl", Larry is showered with champagne by roadies (Larry cracks up laughing) as Bono sings, "Happy Birthday". Support for all three nights is "The BoDeans.

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - october 30, 1992 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Dodger Stadium. On the first night it drizzles, and Bono sings a bit of "Rain". "It Never Rains In Southern California" opens "When Love Comes To Town". Especially when Edge took the second verse of Stand By Me...totally AWESOME.

"Island Records web site opens to promote Best Of collection - october 30, 1998 - Island Records opens up a website at http://www.island.co.uk/u2/ to promote the Best Of U2 album coming out in the next week. The web site features a contest giveaway, archive pictures, and an interactive game in which contestants try to maneuver U2 through the streets of Dublin away from their "admirers."

"ATYCLB promo" tour - october 30, 2000 - New York, NY - MTV Studios. Elevation, Beautiful Day, New York, Elevation, Happy Birthday. U2 appear live from the balcony of MTV Studios for the TRL program.

"All That You Can´t Leave Behind" - october 30, 2000 - U2's 10th studio album, All That You Can't Leave Behind, is released worldwide. It will go on to debut at #1 in 22 countries, but not in the U.S., where it debuts at #3 despite having the largest first-week record sales for any U2 release in the U.S.

"Elevation" tour - october 30, 2001 / Providence, RI - Dunkin Donuts Center - A fan gives Bono an INXS t-shirt during 'Stuck In a Moment,' which Bono gladly holds up to show the crowd. During 'Bad,' Bono climbs up into the lower level behind the stage. He talks with a little girl who is rendered speechless aside from being able to tell Bono 'I love you.' ...New Year´s Day featured Edge not only on his unparalleled guitar, but also on keyboards. Edge wears Yankees t-shirt.

Bono honors Midnight Oil at ARIA music awards - October 29, 2006 - Oils attack music industry for ignoring 'complaint rock' ... Bono from supergroup U2 honoured Midnight Oil with an introduction to their award. "If Midnight Oil could mean any one idea, it would have to be that Australia could be more, for more people, and that the only obstacle to that is indifference," Bono said.

U2 was the winner of the Award of Awards category and guitarist The Edge was honoured with the Innovation in Sound award - October 30, 2006 - London - U2 joined a constellation of musical stars at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London today for this year's Q Awards. Larry Mullen helped kick things off by presenting one of the day's first awards, for Track of the Year, to off-beat duo Gnarls Barkley for their hit Crazy. Edge was presented with the Innovation in Sound award by the event's host Jonathan Ross, in recognition of his unique contribution to the band's sound in particular and to the development of rock n roll music in general. The climax of the whole event was the presentation of a very special one-time-only Q Award Of Awards: Band of Bands, given to U2. **** The Edge's Q Award Speech - Read the speech Edge made today when he collected the 'Innovation in Sound Award' at the 2006 Q Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel: "If you have an inquiring mind, if you are drawn naturally towards the frontier of scientific and technological discovery. If you are the kind of person who finds themselves asking the question why? Far less often then why not? you should probably head for Silicon Valley and get a job at Microsoft. If however you are lucky enough to have grown up during one of the most inspiration periods of rock music history, during the era of guitar players like John McGeogh, Stuart Adamson, Will Sargent, Bill Frizzell, Tom Verlaine, Richard Lloyd, Kevin Sheilds, Noel Gallagher, John Squire - and to have found a group of musical collaborators who make it possible for you to find a creative voice, then you just might end up having the kind of charmed existence that I feel I have had over the last few decades. Thanks to Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, Bono, Adam and Larry and Paul for making it possible." **** Larry´s quote: This will be our last Q Awards" states U2 sticksman Larry Mullen as the band accept The Award of Awards. "Because we can't afford to fly The Edge over from LA." Bono intervenes to give a rather more eloquent thank you. qawards **** Q Awards - The Q Award of Awards - Chosen by Q magazine - Presented by Paul Rees, editor of Q - Winner: U2 - Today, U2 received the special one-time-only Q Award Of Awards: Band of Bands accolade for polling most votes from Q readers through the history of the Q Awards. qawards **** Q Awards - Innovation In Sound awarded to The Edge - Sponsored by Creative Zen - Chosen by Q magazine - Presented by Jonathan Ross - Winner: The Edge - The Q Innovation In Sound Award this year is presented to The Edge. Known as Dave Evans to his mum and dad, The Edge took on the role of U2's guitarist when he answered an ad to join Larry Mullen Jr's band in late 70s Dublin. His trademark guitar sound - perfected with liberal use of the echo pedal - put U2 at the forefront of the new wave and took them into stadiums worldwide. As a multi-instrumentalist, Edge's talent has been showcased at notable events such as Red Rocks, Live Aid and the Zoo TV tour, while taking U2 into new sonic territory across albums like Achtung Baby and Zooropa. Along with his songwriting and vocal duties with U2, The Edge has also explored production and soundtrack work, most notably on 1987's The Captive. Q salutes The Edge's commitment to sound production today with this special award.

BONO - The U2 frontman sits down for Rolling Stone 40th anniversary to talk about the future, the Buzzcocks and reasons to compromise. - October 30, 2007

Exclusive Audio: Bono grapples with the question "If you could only pursue U2 or activism, which would it be?" ... rollingstone - full interview - Lizie Bravo took this pic from this moment

U2 perform at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 25th anniversary concert - October 30, 2009

Setlist: 1.Vertigo / Rock 'n' Roll High School (snippet) / 2.Magnificent / 3.Because The Night / 4.Because The Night / 5.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / 6.Mysterious Ways / 7.Where Is The Love? / One (snippet) / 8.Gimme Shelter / 9.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 10.Beautiful Day - Songs from 6 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted): · Cover songs (4 songs) · All That You Can't Leave Behind (2 songs) · Achtung Baby (1 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (1 songs) · No Line On The Horizon (1 songs) · The Joshua Tree (1 songs) - U2 perform at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame's 25th anniversary concert. Bruce Springsteen joins U2 for Because The Night and I Still Haven't Found; Patti Smith also joins for Because The Night. Due to missed cues, Because The Night is repeated in full, and the intro is done a third time. Mysterious Ways segues into Where Is The Love?, which is performed with the Black Eyed Peas. Bono inserts lyrics of One at the end. Gimme Shelter is performed with Mick Jagger and Fergie. Stuck In A Moment is performed with Mick Jagger. **** U2 performs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concerts. Because The Night is done with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. The first try is a wreck, so they do it again and then redo the intro a third time. Springsteen stays on stage for I Still Haven't Found. Black Eyed Peas join U2 for Where Is the Love, with Bono singing a bit of One at the end. Mick Jagger and Fergie sing Gimme Shelter with U2 as their backing band. Jagger stays on to duet with Bono on Stuck In a Moment. Though U2 are given a one-hour slot and said to have 12 songs planned, their set is shorter. A setlist distributed before the show says U2 will play for 41 minutes (the actual time is longer due to the Because The Night redo). Soundchecked: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (with Bruce Springsteen), Because The Night (with Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith), Where Is The Love? (with the Black Eyed Peas), and Gimme Shelter (with Mick Jagger). PICS: picasaweb

2010-10-31T18:52:00.002Z

UPDATE - OCTOBER 29 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Rosemont Horizon´87 / "Rattle And Hun" premieres in Madrid / two songs were written in Minneapolis / U2 at David Letterman show / Bono with Stipe and Moby / 84TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR: "Angel Of Harlem" (played with a male fan, who received Bono´s shades as a present)-Edge was so happy-'Six Strings and an IQ of 250' is Edge with new shirt-fans were raised on the music of U2 / Vertigo´s stage in Brisbane / Bono honors Midnight Oil at ARIA music awards / Edge wrote about NOLA and Music Rising on U2.com (Band-blog) / National Goegraphic announces U23D / Edge attended Bruce Springsteen's show / U2 album delayed

"October" tour - october 29, 1981 - U2 perform in Tilburg, Holland at De Harmonie.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 29, 1987 - Chicago / IL - Rosemont Horizon - On the second night, "Silver and Gold" is performed. Bono talks about the song, how it originally appeared on the "Sun City" Anti-Aparthied album. "A song about a man just at the point where he feels violence is the only way out. When we think of the life of the black man in South Africa, we can understand that...And I look into my own sould, and I can understand the wish and the want, to take up arms against those bastards. And yet, there is another way. There is another way to get these bastards by the balls. It's spelled M-O-N-E-Y. That's what brought them there in the first place, as they dug the earth for diamonds, for gold. And that's what's going to get them out of there!" During "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", Bono reminisces about the first time U2 played in Chicago: "I remember that club[The Parkwest] felt like the biggest room in the whole wide world. And I said to Edge, 'How can we ever play to more than a thousand poeple?' A year later I said to him, 'How can we play to more than three-thousand? Or five thousand-people?' Well, I think we've got the whole world here tonight, and it feels okay by me."

"Premiere of "Rattle And Hum" in Madrid" - october 29, 1988 - U2 and tour manager Dennis Sheehan attend the premiere of "Rattle & Hum" in Madrid, Spain at Cine Gran Via. Proceeds are donated to Amnesty International. Bono and The Edge make a speech about Amnesty International, and sing a quick verse from "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For".

October 29 1997 John Robert Hector is released from custody after being charged with harassing U2's Adam Clayton in Toronto, Canada. Hector has no comment except that "Madonna is the greatest." Amongst Hector's claims is that he helped design the Achtung Baby cover.

"POPMart" tour - october 29, 1997 - U2 perform in Minneapolis, Minnesota. For the first time during POPMart, U2 are not supported by Howie B. Bono tells to the crowd that he wrote "I Threw A Brick Through A Window" and "Stranger In A Stange Land" in their hometown in U2´s earliest shows. Then came another surprisingly intimate moment -- "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," a Bic lighter anthem that Bono recast into a gospelly tune. And the concert become increasingly intimate with Bono's soulful heroic wails and a three-song acoustic set on a ministage at the end of a long runway. "Staring at the Sun," the band's recent single, was a true pop moment with wonderful pop harmonies, and the Edge soloed on guitar and vocals on "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

"Late Show with David Letterman" - october 29, 2001 - New York, NY - Ed Sullivan Theatre - New York, Stuck In a Moment. U2 performed for the first time on 'The Late Show with David Letterman.' The program bends its rules (which typically limit musical guests to one song of 5-minutes or less) and U2 plays two songs. After the performance, Bono sits down for a brief chat with David Letterman.

"New York against Violence concert" - october 29, 2001 - New York, NY - Hammerstein Ballroom. Helpless / Knocking on Heaven's Door. Bono joins Micheal Stipe and Moby onstage for a medley of two songs at the second annual New York Against Violence concert. The other members of U2 were not involved in this performance.

84TH SHOW - 'VERTIGO' TOUR - DALLAS - OCTOBER 29, 2005: "Angel Of Harlem" (played with a male fan, who received Bono´s shades as a present ) / Edge was so happy / 'Six Strings and an IQ of 250' is Edge with new shirt / fans were raised on the music of U2! October 29, 2005 / Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center - Damian Marley - City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., The Ocean, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment, Angel of Harlem, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono adds a bit of Patti Smith's 'Rock and Roll Nigger' to Vertigo. As they often are, 'Bullet with Butterfly Wings' and 'See Me, Feel Me' are included as snippets in The Electric Co. Bono continues the recent tradition of bringing a young fan on stage during Sunday Bloody Sunday. During the encore, Bono brings a male fan on stage to play guitar with U2 on Angel of Harlem. Bono gives the fan his shades at the end of the song. It's the first time Angel of Harlem has been played this year. **** 'Six Strings and an IQ of 250.' is Edge with new shirt! Blinding Lights at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas, gives way to Vertigo, as Bono introduces the band, 'drums, bass and six strings and an IQ of 250. Who is this man ? Who is this man?'...This tour is racing by and it seems to be the arrival of Electric Co that signals a gear change each night, as Edge, now racing around the ellipse, breaks into the sound that he invented and patented with just six strings and that IQ....'Driving into Dallas Texas, shining city, right out there, glass and steel / So it's 25 years My it's been fun / Twenty five years since we arrived here in a blue bus coming off the freeway / with big ideas.. about to meet you.'...Miracle Drug;Sometimes you Can't Make it On Your Own; Love and Peace or Else; Sunday Bloody Sunday; Bullet The Blue Sky and Miss Sarajevo. At the time if few knew U2, everybody knew Bob Marley, the first Third World superstar as he became known, and labelmates with U2 from day one. Tonight, his son is on stage with U2 and the pride is mutual. 'We're so proud to be here with Damian Marley and his band of merry pranksters,' says Bono. 'Thanks for coming out.' Dedicating Sometimes to Bob Hewson ('I still miss him'), the memories are flowing again but it's the future that is most important to this band, not just the future that our scientists will bring us in medicine (Miracle Drug) but also a future we have to find where we live together in Love and Peace....'now it's wrapped around my head.. my heart.. CoeXisT... It's getting harder to hold onto. You will hold on to it, won't you now Dallas?'...'Hey son,' smiles the singer, pulling a little boy out of the crowd, ' You sit down there son of Abraham.' This little boy is the future where we remember we are all sons of Abraham as Edge fires open the scary sonics of Bullet the Blue Sky, driving this dark and dizzying song to its close, Bono crawling blindfolded towards his microphone before a dedication to the US military. Luciana Pavarotti is not here tonight we learn but Bono is and, to compensate, 'I've been at the pasta.' It is a startling and moving Miss Sarajevo that follows, still earning its place in the set night after night. It segues neatly in to Pride which is sung not just for Martin Luther King and his dream but also for Rosa Parks' dream. Bono's definitely freestyling a little tonight, playful in new and surprising ways, even though the set list is not markedly different from recent nights. Edge and Adam, both in striking new shirts, are looking pretty heroic and Larry, well, he usually looks pretty heroic anyway. 'Crazy Texans / Thank you thank you / Take out your phones / Seriously, I'm not kidding / Turn this place into a Christmas tree in the middle of October / Look close under the Christmas tree / Its Dallas, Texas / We're gonnna change the world. It's the truth!'...how we live in a world of such inequality - when we have the tools to change things. 'One day it will look as ridiculous as Rosa Parks being arrested on a bus... to have 3000 people dying a day of a mosquito bite.'Praising the US's response to the crisis of Hurricane Katrina, he dedicates One 'to the people of Louisiana and all along the Mississippi'....Edge and Bono start Stuck In A Moment alone and the arena takes off when Larry and Adam join them. But four instrumentalists is not enough. 'Can we get a another guitar down here ?' asks Bono, wondering if anyone might have a spare somewhere. 'What do you know?' he asks a young man who has climbed onto the stage and walked into his moment in pop history. 'Angel of Harlem!' Who knows how long since they played this one-time U2 standard, but as Edge and Bono wonder back to the stage, Bono remarking that he hopes this works, it all comes back to them and the rendition is inspiring. 'It was a cold and wet December day / When we touched the ground at J.F.K. / The snow was melting on the ground / On B.L.S. I heard the sound / (Of an angel). / New York like a Christmas tree / Tonight, this city belongs to me, / (Angel)....' **** U2 marries religion and politics - Neon is back. U2 says so. The world's biggest rock band - or at least the most revered ¿ bathed American Airlines Center in shimmering light Saturday night. It was an arresting visual backdrop for the Irish quartet's soaring wall of crystalline sound....For the former, drummer Larry Mullen played a tom-tom on the circular catwalk , and Bono donned a headscarf that read, "Co-Exist." He looked like an ersatz Steve Van Zandt. Images of the Jewish star, the cross, and other religious symbols played across the stage in drapes of light. And during "Sunday Bloody Sunday," the singer brought a kid on stage and called him "a son of Abraham." Religion and politics: For U2, it's a natural marriage.... **** **** Edge so happy! "...First of all, I have never seen Edge so happy and into it. He was smiling all the time and dancing around like crazy. It was great to see him so engaged....I LOVE Electric Co. It was intense. Edge's guitar was ringing and Bono's voice was fantastic. It was my favorite song of the night by far....mentioning (Bono) Dallas all night even said "y'all". Skipping to a great part. One of the encores was Angel of Harlem. What a treat! Didnt expect that one. Pulled this guy from the crowd to play guitar. He walked from the catwalk to the stage and played with the band. He even began to walk the stage and not stay near Bono which was cool. He walked over to Adam's side and gave the crowd the hang loose sign and they yelled back at him. Then Bono told him to sing the chorus and he did with Bono. He then walked over in front of Larry then Bono told him to sing the song without Bono's help and he did. Then the kid got down on his needs in a "im not worthy" pose. Bono made him get up and the kid asked Bono to trade sunglass. Bono did! And i dont know if he gave them back. What a souviener. This was another highlite...." by u2 warrior on interference ****" I was the girl ...during WOWY and it was bloody amazing! The best night of my life.... and it was my first U2 concert! Anyway, the friend I was with got pictures of me onstage with Bono, but she DIDN'T get any of him kissing my cheek or my hand...So, if anyone got pictures of that, it would be really appreciated if you could send them to me - epaxsunday@yahoo.com. Thanks so much!" - by ExaudiaSunday on: interference - Happy Birthday Larry" banner "...i'm hoping that someone got a picture of me holding up the 'happy birthday larry' banner i made. i was on the outside of the ellipse left of center, and as larry was walking over to the drums for 'love and peace' i held it up as high as i could with the help of some friends, and we yelled "LARRRRY!" he heard us and saw the banner. he stopped briefly right in front of us, put his hands together and gave a little nod. i had my camera in hand but was too excited to take a picture LOL! today i'm totally worn out. complete zombie lol...." by ABEL on interference **** "Happy Birthday Larry" banner - "...i'm hoping that someone got a picture of me holding up the 'happy birthday larry' banner i made. i was on the outside of the ellipse left of center, and as larry was walking over to the drums for 'love and peace' i held it up as high as i could with the help of some friends, and we yelled "LARRRRY!" he heard us and saw the banner. he stopped briefly right in front of us, put his hands together and gave a little nod. i had my camera in hand but was too excited to take a picture LOL! today i'm totally worn out. complete zombie lol...." by ABEL on interference

Vertigo´s stage in Brisbane - October 29, 2006 - Brisbane, the next city of blinding lights has the Vertigo´s stage in the building. Look for some photos: lyptonvillge

Bono honors Midnight Oil at ARIA music awards - October 29, 2006 - Oils attack music industry for ignoring 'complaint rock' ... Bono from supergroup U2 honoured Midnight Oil with an introduction to their award. "If Midnight Oil could mean any one idea, it would have to be that Australia could be more, for more people, and that the only obstacle to that is indifference," Bono said. abc

Edge wrote about NOLA and Music Rising on U2.com (Band-blog) - October 29, 2006: "29.10.2006 - Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope...While watching the fallout following Pope Benedicts recent controversial speech it struck me that the world's most precious and increasingly rare form of real estate, suffering erosion at a pace even more startling then the Arctic ice cap, is our old friend common ground. Sadly this seems to be particularly true of the city of New Orleans where a lack of a common purpose and political consensus has hampered the rebuilding of certain areas of the city, notably the lower ninth ward. When it comes to the lower ninth what you see definitely depends on where you stand. If you are a member of the New Orleans police force the lower ninth ward has always been a trouble spot. If you are in government it has historically been an economically challenged area with one of the worst levels of unemployment. If you are part of the army corps of engineers working on rebuilding the Levy system it is a low lying area that will always be vulnerable to flooding. If, however, you love music the lower ninth ward was one of the areas of New Orleans with the richest musical heritage, supporting countless musicians and musical traditions going back centuries. On a recent trip to the famous Jazz Fest I was reminded just how rich and vibrant the local music scene is. It's all there, the various combinations of African syncopated rhythms and European melody; Jazz, Gospel, R'nB, Zydeco and Rock and Roll, all still evident here in their original form before anyone decided that they were distinct genres, giving credence to the idea that America's greatest contribution to world culture first came together on the streets of New Orleans when the African funeral procession drummers mixed it up with the hymn singers of the Christian funeral service. In New Orleans today the importance of their music culture is one thing that everybody can agree on. Everyone accepts that it is unique to the area, the heart and soul of the city, and that since much of the know-how to make this music gets passed on within the extended families, churches, and social clubs of areas like the lower ninth ward, that to allow these areas to lag behind in the rebuliding process risks the the loss of this precious musical heritage forever. Everyone in New Orleans wants to see this music culture preserved even if the more fundamental issues of how and when the various quarters of the city should be rebuilt is the subject of much heated debate. Everyone understands that live music brings a huge economic benefit to the city and bringing it back makes economic sense, but translating that aspiration into a practical strategy remains elusive. Music Rising has achieved an incredible level of local support because it focusses exclusively on rescuing the music culture of the region. More than just being a catalyst for hope we believe that music can become the sound track and the clarion call to rebuild the entire city, not just the areas that the property market dictates. Wherever there is live music playing you will see an outpouring of hope and optimism for the future, in it's absence there is uncertainty and despondency. When considering the restoration plan from a music culture perspective all socio-economic divisions evaporate. Music is color-blind and totally egalitarian. The restoration of the lower ninth becomes a priority. Not just because it ought to be but because it deserves to be. Support for Music Rising is support for the restoration of the music culture of the Gulf Coast, is support for the restoration of New Orleans along fair and equitable lines. The Music Rising partners all believe that music has always bound New Orleans together, and if it is allowed to can lead the city forward to a better future. The Edge."

National Geographic announces U23D to 2008 - October 29, 2007 - NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CINEMA VENTURES TO RELEASE 3ALITY DIGITAL'S 'U2 3D' - New 3-D Film Stars U2's Vertigo Tour - WASHINGTON/LOS ANGELES (Oct. 29, 2007)— National Geographic Cinema Ventures (NGCV) President Lisa Truitt announced today the first major international NGCV release, "U2 3D," opening in late January 2008 in 3-D only, in REAL D, IMAX 3-D and other digital 3-D theaters worldwide.

Edge attended Bruce Springsteen's show - October 29, 2007 - Los Angeles - Springsteen fans talking about their g-g-generation ... "It's a great place for this show; it was perfect," said the Edge, the U2 guitarist, who was milling about backstage after the show. "He does have quite a lot of good songs too, doesn't he?"

U2 album delayed - October 29, 2008 - U2 still haven't found what they're looking for with their new album - it has been delayed until early 2009. The supergroup were due to release their latest offering in time for the lucrative Christmas market but fans may now have to wait until after New Year's Day. "We still don't have a release date for this album, the band are still working," a spokeswoman for the band said. She added: "It might be early in the New Year." It would be U2's first album since the How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb in 2004. Large parts of the current record were recorded in Dublin's Hanover Quay Studios. Earlier this year, U2 released a 3D concert movie, U23D, which had its world premiere in Dublin.

2010-10-31T17:44:00.003Z

UPDATE OCTOBER 28: "War" t-shirt / "Lost Luggage?" / five minutes firework / U2 visits "Ground Zero" / Bono sings with Lanois / Bono attends Eminem concert / Live 8 DVD gets premiere launch / 83rd 'VERTIGO' show: Dikembe Mutumbo, Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens were at the attendance-white cowboy hat / Hands of famous people / Bono and Ali in Monaco / BONO'S A PRI'MATE' !

"October" tour - october 28, 1981 - U2 perform in Leiden, Holland at Stadsgehoorzaal.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 28, 1984 - U2 perform in Brussels, Belgium at Vorst Nationaal. On the second night, Bono discusses Belgium's mandatory conscription: "I think everybody here has to join the army at some point, is that right? Well, this particular person spent the last week in a barracks under arrest for wearing his "War" T-shirt. They actually lock you up in a cell, just for one of these...I wish you well in all your efforts to stop all that nonsense." Support is "The Alarm".

"The Joshua Tree" - october 28, 1987 - U2 perform in Chicago, Illinois at the Rosemont Horizon. In three sold-out dates, U2 perform in front of 51,998 people. The band are surprised by the thunderous applause that accompanies them on stage, and that the crowd confidently sing along to every song. On the first night, "Southern Man" is played for the third time on the 3rd leg of the "Joshua Tree" tour. "You know," Bono improvises, "we started playing our own songs because we couldn't play anybody else's songs...we still can't. When I was 17, I just about learned to play this song on an electric guitar. And I said, 'One day, maybe, if I learn the other chords, I'll go far...' I thought these great singers and songwriters in rock & roll bands had some tricks up their sleeves--but there's no tricks at all. Just three chords, and the truth." Bono again invites a guitarist up from the crowd, who does an extensive solo ("This guy is too good! Hey Edge, I think we better get him off quick!") and introduces him to the crowd, "He says his name is Big Dave. Hey, what was the name of the band again that you played for? 'Lost Luggage'?...Well, I still haven't found the luggage I'm looking for..."

"LoveTown" tour - october 28, 1989 - U2 perform in Adelaide, Australia at Memorial Drive Stadium. On the second night, a five minute fireworks display accompanies "Bullet The Blue Sky". During "Love Rescue Me", Bono asks the fans outside of the stadium, "Even you people hanging on to the trees and down the back, sing with me: sha-la-la-la..." Support is "Weddings Parties Anything" and B.B. King.

"U2 visits 'Ground Zero'" - october 28, 2001 - Prior to tonight's concert in East Rutherford, NJ, U2 visits 'Ground Zero' in New York city -- the site of the World Trade Center attacks of September 11th.

"Elevation" tour - october 28, 2001 - E. Rutherford, NJ - Continental Airlines Arena - Bono tells the crowd that the band visited 'Ground Zero' today - the site of the WTC attacks. 'Please' is again played with Bruce Brody guesting on piano (Edge and Bono), just like last night's show at Madison Square Garden.

"Bono sings with Lanois in London" - october 28, 2003 - Bono joins Daniel Lanois on stage at Shepard's Bush in London. They sing "Falling At Your Feet."

"Bono catches Eminem live" - october 28, 2004. NME reports that Bono is in attendance tonight at an Eminem concert in New York city.

Live 8 DVD gets premiere launch - October 28, 2005 - Bob Geldof has been named the 2005 Man of Peace Sir Bob Geldof said the concerts had "worked magnificently" politically. Bob Geldof has attended a London screening to launch the DVD of the Live 8 concerts which were held in July.Geldof has said he wants the DVD to be "the biggest-selling DVD of all time" when it is released on 7 November. The full line-up from the UK and US concerts are on the DVD, along with excerpts from shows in other countries.

83rd 'VERTIGO' show - October 28, 2005 / Houston, TX - Toyota Center - Damian Marley - Dikembe Mutumbo, Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens were at the attendance / white cowboy hat! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns, The Ocean, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment, With or Without You, All Because of You, Fast Cars, Yahweh, 40. Bono thanks Houston Rockets basketball player Dikembe Mutombo, who is at the show, for his work with The One Campaign. Other local celebrities at the show are Houston Astros Craig Biggio and Roger Clemens. Bono puts on a white glittery cowboy hat from the audience, but has it on backwards **** Some photos on: U2-Vertigo-tour

Hands of famous people - October 28, 2006 - Anton Corbijn in Holland to present pictures he took of hands of famous people, they have been made into postcards to promote a telephone helpline. There are 10 cards, one of Edge and one of Bono & Bob Geldof. They are given out at Dutch postoffices this week. Watch something on youtube

Bono and Ali in Monaco - October 28, 2006 - U2 lead singer Bono arrives with his wife Ali Hewson at attend the 40th anniversary of Monaco AMADE in Monte Carlo October 28, 2006. AMADE, the World Association of Children's Friends, is an internationally recognized non-profit child-advocacy NGO, the World Association of Children's Friends (AMADE in French) that was founded in 1963 by HSH Princess Grace of Monaco to seek the promotion and protection of children's rights on an international level. The association was set up with the aim to develop and support humanitarian aid programmes, and foster ethical and legal reflection in the area of the rights of the child.

BONO'S A PRI'MATE' - October 28, 2007 - U2's Bono (pictured right, inset) monkeys around with Finn, 21 months, the son of filmmaker Ed Burns and supermodel Christy Turlington, at a Halloween party in TriBeCa's Washington Market Park yesterday.
interference

43rd show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - October 28, 2009 - B.C. Place Stadium - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas

Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.Get On Your Boots / 3.Magnificent / 4.Mysterious Ways / 5.Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet) / 6.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet) / 7.Happy Birthday / 8.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 9.No Line On The Horizon / 10.Elevation / 11.In A Little While / 12.Unknown Caller / 13.Until The End Of The World / 14.The Unforgettable Fire / 15.City Of Blinding Lights / 16.Vertigo / 17.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Two Tribes (snippet) / 18.Sunday Bloody Sunday / 19.MLK / 20.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) / encore(s): 21.One / Amazing Grace (snippet) / 22.Where The Streets Have No Name / 23.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 24.With Or Without You / 25.Moment of Surrender - Songs from 8 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted). · No Line On The Horizon (7 songs) · All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs) · Achtung Baby (4 songs) · The Joshua Tree (3 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2 songs) · The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs) · Cover songs (1 songs) · War (1 songs) - The last show of the 2009 tour suffers from several minor problems. Bono has microphone trouble early in the show and his voice struggles to get through Elevation. The ISS video drops out during In A Little While, leaving only Frank DeWinne's voice to close the song. Since it's the final show, Bono has a long list of Thank Yous that includes Edge's mom, who's at the show, 'for being our first crew member.' Bill Gates is also there, and Bono leads the crowd in singing Happy Birthday to him early in the show. One includes the 'Hear us coming' coda. PICS: U2tours - Surrender in Vancouver: The band have been in Vancouver for a couple of days, they arrived early for a crew party to say goodbye to the 2009 360° Tour. Tonight they said goodbye to the fans, who have come out in record-breaking numbers night after night over the last few months. And a great show in Vancouver to finish with - the BC Place is right next to the venue where the band shot the video for City of Blinding Lights on the Vertigo Tour, all those years ago. (Well, four of them anyway.) Great to see lots of the tour staff arriving on stage for a moment in the spotlight U2.com - U2 wraps up tour with spectacular Vancouver show - The energy was high and an emotional Bono was in fine voice, writes Marsha Lederman

2010-10-30T23:50:00.002+01:00

UPDTE - OCTOBER 27 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Shaking Brussels (earthquake?) / premiere of "Rattle And Hun"-1000th anniversary of Dublin / "Don't go too far, allright!" / Bono saying to Mexicans / Toronto: Howie B's last date on U2's POPMart tour / FarmClub / Bono and Edge sing 'Please' with Bruce Brody on piano / Official (full) video 'The Saints Are Coming' premieres at U2.com and Youtube!

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 27, 1984 - U2 perform in Brussels, Belgium at Vorst Nationaal. The amplification system used by the band sets off nearby earthquake alarm systems at the Belgium Royal Observatory. When asked, Bono blames it on Adam.

World Premiere of the "Rattle and Hun" during the celebration of the 1000th b-day of Dublin - october 27, 1988 - World premiere of the "Rattle and Hum" rockumentary at the Savoy Cinema on Dublin's O'Connell Street. Tickets for the concert are 50 pounds, and the show raises more than 40,000 pounds for "People In Need", a charity set up to help the homeless. More than 5000 people gather outside the cinema to hear the band perform a short four song set. The impromptu performace becomes U2's celebration of the 1000th birthday of Dublin City. AFter the movie's premier U2 return to the street to perform "Angel of Harlem" and "Stand By Me"--Bono heavily improvises the lyrics to both songs, and is accompanied by the two or three thousand fans who have remained. In the next week, U2 will attend another three premieres -- Madrid, London, and Los Angeles.

"LoveTown" tour - october 27, 1989 - U2 perform in Adelaide, Australia at Memorial Drive Stadium. The illness that struck Bono, and that forced the band to reschedule the October 22, 24, and 25, 1989 dates in Sydney has disappeared. These Adelaide shows are outdoor shows--U2's first in Australia. During the soundchecks that are performed at the Stadium, fans watch from the surrounding hills and Bono and The Edge offer "Hello"'s and other greetings. The soundchecks are planned so that the band can play toward the watching audience. During the concert, hundreds of fans sit in the hills and watch the show. While singing to "I Will Follow", Bono falls off the stage and is barely saved from serious injury by security who manage to catch him. The guest guitarist on "People Get Ready" plays several solos, and finally Bono shouts, "Don't go too far, allright!".

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - october 27, 1992 - U2 perform in El Paso, Texas at the Sun Bowl. The show is aired via satellite to Sherry in Huntington Beach, California. Sherry won a US-MTV contest, and is accompanied by a large group of screaming friends. She asks Bono why as the band gets more famous, his pants get tighter. His reply is that he's recently discovered apple pie and that the band will break up and he will move to Las Vegas to start a solo act. "When I'm going through my fat Bono period, will you come and see me?" Bono talks of going south of the border and into Mexico and what he experienced: "We could see all the people standing at the border, could see their plight, could see their looks on their faces as they wanted to come into America - this supposed land of milk and honey. And as an Irishman, I understood that feeling, that wish to leave your home and to go far away to make something of yourself. Well...that America turns out to be over the next ten years we'll wait and see. But I hope you'll find what you're looking for..." Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"POPMart" tour - october 27, 1997 - Toronto ON, Canada - Skydome - Main Set: Mofo, I Will Follow, Gone, Even Better Than The Real Thing, Last Night On Earth, Until The End Of The World, New Year's Day, Pride, I Still Haven't Found-Stand By Me, Desire, Staring At The Sun, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Miami, Bullet the Blue Sky, Please, Where the Streets - Encore(s): Discotheque, If You Wear That Velvet Dress, With or Without You, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me, Mysterious Ways, One-Unchained Melody. Howie B is arrested at Toronto, Canada's Pearson International Airport. He is stopped for possession of an illegal substance, rumored by many to be marijuana. Toronto, October 27th is Howie's last date on U2's POPMart tour. Howie B is deported back to the UK.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - october 27, 2000 - Los Angeles, CA - Universal Studios - Elevation, New York, Stuck In a Moment , Beautiful Day, Bad. U2 perform and are interviewed for the FarmClub.com TV show.

"Elevation" tour - october 27, 2001 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - Please (Bono, Edge, Bruce Brody), What's Going On (Bono, Edge, Larry). Bono and Edge sing 'Please' with Bruce Brody on piano. Two fans get engaged during 'Still Haven't Found' and Bono wishes them well. About 20 FDNY and EMS workers are brought on-stage during 'Walk On.' One has a sign: 'Tuesday Bloody Tuesday, 9-11-01'. They stay on-stage the rest of the night, even after the band has left, and many take the mic for spoken tributes to their friends and family. The show is videotaped by someone on-stage with a small, handheld camera.

Official (full) video 'The Saints Are Coming' premieres at U2.com and Youtube - October 27 2006:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my dear Netinho! As my youngest nephew (today, 10-years-old), I wish you all the gladness in this world, with your sister Maria, your dad and your mum ... be happy and fun 4ever!

2010-10-30T23:39:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 26 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The first time on the cover of Hot Press / "Fire" / A fan plays better than Bono / "Sunday Bloody Sunday" at Skydome / The "tree" in New Zealand is destroyed / U2 play on KROQ-FM / The U2iPod in San Jose: Original Of The Species, All Because Of You / U2 won top tour for "Vertigo" tour - top draw and top Boxscore for Croke Park, Billboard Touring Awards / 'Royalty in the House' (Edge, Bono and B.B.King) !

"Early Ireland" - october 26, 1979 - U2 are featured the first time on the cover of Ireland's Hot Press magazine.

"October" tour - october 26, 1981 - U2 perform in Paris, France at Elysee Montmartre, playing "Fire" as the last song.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 26, 1987 - U2 perform in Kansas City, Missouri at Kemper Arena. Bono reminisces during "Southern Man": "...We'd come into town, maybe four five years ago. We played the Uptown Ballroom and put on a great show. I was nineteen and we were really good that night. I thought Kansas City was out of sight, celebrate!". Later on during the song, he says, "We came to this city in 1981 or '82, and I think the band were the only people in the Uptown under the age of drinking. There were some poeple outside saying 'Bono, I can't get into see you, man!' I said, 'I can't even get into see me, man!'" A fan gets on stage to jam with the band for the rest of the song, and plays better than Bono does. Support is "The BoDeans".

"POPMart" tour - october 26, 1997 - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - U2 begins the third leg of the PopMart tour -- and second in North America -- with the first of two shows at Toronto's Skydome. As he did for the last few shows of the European tour, Edge continues to sing a solo, acoustic version of "Sunday, Bloody Sunday" from the b-stage, replacing the nightly karaoke sing-along.

Tree on New Zealand's One Tree Hill is destroyed - october 26, 2000 - Continuing a bad week for U2-related trees, the famous lone pine tree at New Zealand's One Tree Hill site is destroyed after being deemed unsafe. The tree had been attacked twice since 1994 and suffered enough damage to cause it to lean heavily to one side.

"ATYCLB" promo tour - october 26, 2000 - Los Angeles, CA - Universal Studios - Elevation, New York, Stuck In a Moment , Beautiful Day. U2 perform and are interviewed live on KROQ-FM.

"Introducing: The U2 iPod" - october 26, 2004. Bono and Edge join Apple Computer chairman Steve Jobs in San Jose, California, today to introduce two new results of the new U2-Apple partnership. First is what Jobs calls a historical moment in music: the introduction of the first-ever "digital box set." Called The Complete U2, it's a collection of more than 400 U2 songs that will be sold exclusively on Apple's iTunes Music Store at a cost of $149. The second announcement is the creation of a U2-themed iPod, the first time Apple has produced a branded version of its super-popular digital music player. The unit is colored black with a red Click Wheel to match the branding of U2's upcoming album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb. The signatures of each band member are engraved on the back. The unit has 20GB of storage and comes with an "exclusive" U2 poster. It's priced at $349 and will be available to ship in November. Bono and Edge speak during the event, and also perform two new songs: "Original of the Species" and "All Because Of You." Bono, Edge, and Jobs also appear live on CNBC-TV after the event where they're interviewed about today's announcements. During the interview, Bono reveals that no money has changed between U2 and Apple during the current partnership.

U2 won top tour for "Vertigo" tour - top draw and top Boxscore for Croke Park, Billboard Touring Awards - October 26, 2005 - U2 Dominates Billboard Touring Awards - U2 came away with the most honors at last night's (Oct. 26) Billboard Roadwork '05 Touring Awards, winning top tour for its Vertigo trek, top draw and top Boxscore for its June 24-27 dates at Croke Park in Dublin. The event took place at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. Other big winners include Clear Channel Entertainment, which was honored with top promoter; Jam Productions, winner of top independent promoter; Principle Management, which received the top manager award; and William Morris Agency, the winner of top agency. The top festival of the year was the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tenn., while top package was awarded to the Kenny Chesney, Gretchen Wilson, Uncle Kracker and Pat Green tour. The year's top small venue tour was Bruce Springsteen's Devils & Dust outing and the breakthrough act was Rascal Flatts. The top arena of the year was New York's Madison Square Garden, while the top amphitheater went to Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts in Mansfield, Mass. House of Blues Chicago won top club. The top small venue of the year with resident booking was The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, while the top small venue of the year with non-resident booking was the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. As previously reported, the Dave Matthews Band received Roadwork '05's Humanitarian Award for the band's philanthropic efforts. Pioneering promoter Jack Boyle, chairman emeritus for Clear Channel Entertainment and founder of Cellar Door Concerts, received the Legend of Live Award. Awards are based on box office performance reported to Billboard Boxscore from Nov. 20, 2004 through Sept. 30, 2005.billboard

'Royalty in the House' (Edge, Bono and B.B.King) - October 26,2008

Love Came Back to Town in LA last night as Edge and Bono joined the mighty BB King onstage for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Founders Award. Watch the video. It was twenty years ago that U2 and BB King released When Love Comes to Town on 'Rattle and Hum'... and then went on the road together. Last night Edge, Bono and BB played it again and it sounded just as good. U2.com - photos: interference

2010-10-30T23:03:00.003+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 25 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: to Belgian-French TV / in a circus tent and rain / a baseball style / Levi is born / Edge´s guitar sounding celestial / 82nd 'VERTIGO' show: many references to Rosa Parks-Excellent Edge and Larry during 'War' trilogy-'Bad'-phenomenal closer / Yoko to Bono: 'You are John's son' / Bono honoured at Aids fundraiser / 42nd show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - Rose Bowl - Pasadena - CA. - USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas (streamed live online-youtube) !

"October" tour - october 25, 1981 - U2 perform in Herenthout, Belgium at Zaal Lux. Before the show U2 perform "I Fall Down" and "Gloria" on "Generation 80" for the Belgian/French TV station RTBF1.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 25, 1984 - U2 perform in Paris, France at Espace Ballard. U2 perform in a circus tent, orignally set up for the movie "Diva". The weather outside is humid with heavy rains. The tent leaks in several areas, and U2's equipment is covered in plastic during the show. Edge´s guitars are out of tune while a fragile song like 'The Unforgettable Fire' comes to nothing due to malfunctioning keyboards. "40" is performed quickly as Bono is warned that the PA system may short out because it has become so wet. Support is "The Alarm".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - October 25 1987 U2 perform in St. Louis, Missouri, at the St. Louis Arena. On this night, the St. Louis Cardinals play against the Minnesota Twins in the World Series. Bono walks on stage wearing a St. Louis Cardinals' baseball jersey and cap. "Well, as far as I'm concerned," he says to the cheering audience after "I Will Follow", "St. Louis has already won the World Series!" Support is "The BoDeans".

Levi is born - october 25, 1999 - Edge and Morleigh Steinberg give birth to their second child, a boy. It is Edge's first son. No name is announced, but reports circulate that the boy is named Levi.

"Elevation tour" - october 25, 2001 - New York / NY - Madison Square Garden - During 'Stay,' Bono wears a FDNY cap given to him by a fan. During the encore, he wears an FDNY t-shirt. The lyrics of several songs continue to be altered in tribute to the victims of the Sept. 11 attacks. Bono also sings a short bit of 'Everybody Hurts' during 'Bad.' The same MLK video from the previous night is played again during 'Pride.' - '...The concert often verged on becoming a religious ceremony, with the Edge's distinctive chiming guitar never sounding more celestial. For secular baby boomers like me, raised on the idea that music can save your soul, emotionally charged shows like this have provided the only opportunities for catharsis during the past few weeks....' by David Talbot - Salon.com - U2 elevate New York. This night Edge wears "Born-free/eagle" shirt.

82nd 'VERTIGO' show - October 25, 2005 / Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills - Institute. many references to Rosa Parks / Excellent Edge and Larry during 'War' trilogy / 'Bad' - phenomenal closer! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, Gloria, The Ocean, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - MLK . Encore(s): The First Time, Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, Crumbs From Your Table, Bad. Bono makes repeated references throughout the show to Rosa Parks, the civil rights pioneer who died earlier in the day. He dedicates One to her memory and adds MLK as a eulogy at the end. Vertigo includes a bit of Patti Smith's 'Rock and Roll Nigger', and bad includes a bit of her 'Power to the People.' **** U2 pays tribute to Rosa Parks in Detroit: DETROIT, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- U2 paid tribute to the late Rosa Parks at its concert Tuesday outside Detroit, the civil rights pioneer's hometown. Playing at the Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit, U2 frontman Bono invoked Parks' name in "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" and "Where The Streets Have No Name." He then dedicated "One" to Parks, telling the 20,000-plus in attendance that "because of her quiet dignity and strength, America became a better, changed country." He added that the "journey of equality continues today. We will carry it on. God bless you in your rest." Parks made history in 1955 in Montgomery, Ala., when she refused to give up her seat on a public bus to a white man, as law dictated. She became the rallying point for a boycott that was one of the first successful demonstrations of the civil liberties movement. Parks died Monday at the age of 92 in Detroit, where she'd lived since 1957. Her funeral will take place November 2nd at the city's Greater Grace Temple church. upi. **** Excellent Edge and Larry during 'War' trilogy / 'Bad' - phenomenal closer!
"...their Detroit surprises, they did not disappoint. Deviating from the standard setlist, they delivered with "Gloria", Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses", Crumbs From Your Table", and "Bad". Bono seemed to be active on the catwalk and his voice was in fine form. 'People have the Power', sung U2's frontman Bono during the end of Tuesday's sold out show at the Palace. But it was the dynamic power of U2's music which carried the night. U2's swing through the Motor City did not disappoint as Bono remarked of the special relationship between the band and the fans in Detroit. U2 weaved old and new in a fast paced 2 hour show with some pleasant surprises from the standard setlist: 'Gloria', 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses' (acoustic) and 'Bad'. And Bono showed the goodwill ambassador he is with several references to Rosa Parks, the Civil Rights Pioneer from Detroit who passed away Tuesday. His dedication of the song 'One' was well received by the 20,000 fans in attendance. U2 is like a fine wine that improves with time and ages gracefully. After 25 years on the concert circuit, U2 showed why they are the top band in the land. - Highlights: Vertigo, truly an awesome rocker which sounds even better in concert. This song will be a permanent addition to their setlist for future tours....War Trilogy, Love & Peace, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet - Excellent, showcases the great skill of 'The Edge' & Larry Mullen....Sometimes You Can't Make It on Your Own - Bono's dedication to his father and his story about his father conducting music with his mother's knitting needles made it powerful. Bad - Phenomenal closer!" **** Photos on: U2gigs

Yoko to Bono: 'You are John's son' - October 25, 2005 - "Yoko came up to me when I was in my twenties, and she put her hand on me and she said, 'You are John's son.'" U2 rocker BONO was thrilled YOKO ONO saw her late husband JOHN LENNON in him.

Bono honoured at Aids fundraiser - U2 frontman Bono has been honoured with an award for his humanitarian work at an Aids charity fundraiser in New York. October 25, 2007

Bono has won several awards for his charity work **** Singer Alicia Keys, who co-founded the Keep A Child Alive charity, described Bono as "an amazing man" at the event. "He is an inspiration and single-handedly made it cool to have something to speak about," she told the Associated Press news agency. Bono said he was "proud" but would rather be giving an award than receiving one. "Rock stars always want to do two things. They want to have fun and change the world. If they can do both at the same time, you're okay," he added. Keys said Bono "works tirelessly at really having a cause and fighting for it". The Black Ball fundraiser was also attended by stars including Gwen Stefani and Sheryl Crow. The annual event generates all the charity's operational costs for a year. The Keep A Child Alive charity provides anti-retro viral medication to children and families in Africa with Aids. Bono was also awarded with the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa last month. Bono and Keys recorded a version of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush's Don't Give Up for the charity in 2005. bbc - photos: interference - interference - wireimage - rexfetures - David Bowie, Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Jay-Z, Clive Davis and Mike Mills of R.E.M were there.

42nd show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - October 25, 2009 - Rose Bowl - Pasadena - CA. - USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas

- Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.Get On Your Boots / 3.Magnificent / 4.Mysterious Ways / 5.Beautiful Day / In God's Country (snippet) / God Only Knows (snippet) / The Maker (snippet) / 6.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet) / 7.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 8.No Line On The Horizon / 9.Elevation / 10.In A Little While / 11.Unknown Caller / 12.Until The End Of The World / 13.The Unforgettable Fire / 14.City Of Blinding Lights / 15.Vertigo / It's Only Rock 'n' Roll (But I Like It) (snippet) / 16.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Two Tribes (snippet) / 17.Sunday Bloody Sunday / 18.MLK / 19.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) / encore(s): 20.One / Amazing Grace (snippet) / 21.Where The Streets Have No Name / 22.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 23.With Or Without You / 24.Moment of Surrender - Songs from 7 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted). · No Line On The Horizon (7 songs) · All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs) . Achtung Baby (4 songs) . The Joshua Tree (3 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2 songs) · The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs) · War (1 songs) - U2's only California show of the tour is filmed for DVD and streamed live online. It's the first time a major artist has offered a full concert for free on YouTube, and the live stream is nearly flawless. Beautiful Day includes short bits of In God's Country, God Only Knows, and The Maker. One includes the 'Hear us coming' coda. In Moment of Surrender, Bono raps similarly to how he did during Saturday Night Live (Sept. 26). Dozens of stars are at the show, including Stewart Copeland (The Police), Dave Stewart, Pierce Brosnan, Paris Hilton, Demi Moore, Alyssa Milano, and others. It's the largest concert crowd ever at the Rose Bowl. **** Ten Million Streams, 188 Countries - 28 October 2009 - On Sunday night 97,000 fans at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena were joined by millions more all over the world with the live webcast on YouTube. The live webcast was a record breaker. 'This was a big win for the YouTube community. Nearly 10 million streams came in from U2 fans across 188 countries, making this the largest streaming event in YouTube's history.' And we're now streaming the entire show. Sit back and enjoy... U2.com **** U2 concert broadcast live on YouTube drew in millions from 16 countries on the Web (a crowd of 100,000 - YouTube page that hosted the concert has received over 7 million views so far - a promotional clip for the concert alone received 2.7 million views) - By Amy Eisinger - DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER - Tuesday, October 27th 2009, 9:50 AM ... numbview **** U2 concert is YouTube's largest streaming event - Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:01PM EDT - NEW YORK - YouTube's webcast of a U2 concert was watched by nearly 10 million people, the video site's largest streaming event ever. The Google Inc.-owned site said that the concert was watched around the world. It was shown live from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Sunday. Chris Maxcy, head of music partnerships at YouTube, called the event "a big win" for the site. The full 2 1/2-hour concert is available on YouTube. The rebroadcast video has been watched by more than 1.1 million viewers. **** As he took to the stage, lead singer Bono said: "Thank you Los Angeles. Thanks to everyone watching on YouTube all over the world - seven continents." ... The singer introduced his bandmates as famous characters from Hollywood history. Drummer Larry Mullen was "James Dean", while bassist Adam Clayton was Clark Gable as Gone With The Wind's Rhett Butler. "Every horror movie needs a mad scientist," Bono continued as he introduced The Edge, "and ours is just to my right. "He wants to boldly go where no guitar players have ever gone before. He's Mr Spock to us, he's The Edge to you." The singer went on to compare himself to "Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Devito with a little bit of Dennis Hopper thrown in". ... Meanwhile, the band have been speaking candidly about the mixed reaction to their recent album, No Line On The Horizon. Although it among the best-selling albums of the year to date, it has underperformed compared to their previous records. It has been certified platinum in the UK - meaning 300,000 sales - while in the US it has shifted just over 1m copies. Those figures mean it is the band's least successful album since the experimental Zooropa in 1993. Speaking before Sunday's concert, Bono admitted the album had lacked a big, commercial hit like Vertigo or Beautiful Day. "We weren't really in that mindset," he said. "We felt that the album was a kind of an almost extinct species, and we should approach it in totality and create a mood and a feeling, and a beginning, middle and an end. "And I suppose we've made a work that is a bit challenging for people who have grown up on a diet of pop stars." "The commercial challenges have to be confronted," bassist Adam Clayton added. ... numbview

Happy Birthday, my dear sister Sandra. God Bless you and your so cute family: your son Fabricio and daughter Mariana.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEVI! Be happy and fun 4ever! God Bless you and your dad, mum, sisters .... Enjoy this day!

2010-10-30T22:36:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 24 - THIS DAY U2'S HISTORY: Edge´s eyepatch / "One" to governor Mechun / U2's first show in NY since the Sept. 11 attacks is filled with tributes to the city / 81st 'VERTIGO' show: 'Humpty Dumpty' / Humanitarian Award to Music Rising / Chris Milk's interview about The Saints Are Coming / Music Rising won the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) PRism Award for Ongoing Entertainment Organization; Music Rising also won a PRism Award of Excellence in the non-profit campaign category / U2’s Bono to Write For “New York Times” in 2009 / U2’s Bono to Write For “New York Times” in 2009 / 'My Favourite Thing in the Whole World' (Larry and Lanois with a funny The Edge-U2.com video)!

"October" tour - october 24, 1981 - U2 perform in Deinze, Belgium at the Brielpoort. Edge wears eyepatch during this show.

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - october 24, 1992 - U2 perform in Tempe, Arizona at Sun Devil Stadium. Bono dedicates "One" to former Governor Ed Mechum, who had refused to recognize Martin Luther King day as a holiday in Arizona in 1987. Bono also performs a full acoustic version of "Suspicious Minds", the only time it will performed during the 1992-93 tour. The typical White House call takes a turn for the bizarre as the operator misunderstands Bono and asks him if his name is "Miracle Man". "No," Bono replies, "We need miracles but I just have mirror balls." The operator quickly hangs up. Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"Elevation" tour - october 24, 2001 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - At the start of the concert, The Edge, the band's guitarist, stepped onstage wearing a New York Yankees T-shirt, and the crowd's already considerable excitement ascended from there. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" - You could recognize the song by any one its musical elements played alone -- The Edge's guitar, Adam Clayton's bass or Larry Mullen's propulsive drumming -- but the chorus transforms it into an anthem: "How long, how long must we sing this song?" Bono asks. His plaint had special meaning on Wednesday, the day after the Irish Republican Army had announced it would begin to dismantle its cache of weapons. "Today is a great day for us because the IRA has put its arms to bed," Bono said. "There is no going back. We want to thank these men for making this choice." U2's first show in NY since the Sept. 11 attacks is filled with tributes to the city. Bono brings fans on stage three different times - during 'Stuck' a male fan helps sing the song; a female fan plays and sings during 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door' (full band); and a girl gets on stage during 'New York' and is carried by Bono. During 'One', video screens show the names of hijack victims, and a list of NYPD and FDNY personnel who died in the rescue is added. Bono paused to praise the United States: "Poles, Jews, blacks, weirdos, rock stars, peanut sellers. Nobody looks at you funny," he said. Names of those killed on Sept. 11 began to roll up the screen behind him: Darlene Flagg . . . Shuyin Yang . . . Zoe Falkenberg and hundreds of others. Bono began to sing -- "One love, one life, when it's one need in the night" -- and we nodded and sang along. An MLK video shows during 'Pride,' a la Zoo TV. U2 played also: What´s Going On, Angel Of Harlem (full band-electric).

81st 'VERTIGO' show - October 24, 2005 / Detroit, MI - Palace of Auburn Hills. Institute. 'Humpty Dumpty.'City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co., I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Walk On (acoustic), Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of, With or Without You, All Because of You, Original of the Species, Yahweh, 40. Bono jokes about technical problems during Electric Co. by singing a bit of the nursery rhyme 'Humpty Dumpty.' Photos: U2gigs

Humanitarian Award to Music Rising - October 24, 2006 - It's announced, that, November 8-9 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City - BillBoard Touring Conference ... 3 Doors Down members Brad Arnold (lead vocals) and Matt Roberts (lead guitar) will take part in the keynote Q&A session "Rebirth of a Region: Concerts Return to the Gulf" at the Billboard Touring Conference, being held on November 8-9 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City. Ray Waddell, Billboard's senior touring editor, will moderate this discussion on November 8. ... The awards are based on actual box office performance from December 1, 2005 to September 30, 2006. This year's Humanitarian Award will go to Music Rising; the musical instrument replacement fund founded by U2's The Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, and Gibson Guitar chairman Henry Juszkiewicz, with MusiCares and the Guitar Center Foundation. Music Rising has successfully put more than 2,000 instruments in the hands of musicians who lost their means of livelihood in the wake of Katrina. ... prweb

Chris Milk's interview about The Saints Are Coming - the video October 24, 2006 - MTV News Exclusive: Catch A Sneak Peek Of U2/ Green Day 'Saints' Video - Clip features Superdome performance, Abbey Road recording sessions - Last month, as Green Day and U2 took the stage at the Louisiana Superdome, they were not only being watched by millions in the city of New Orleans and around the world, but by director Chris Milk and his small army of cameras too. For weeks, Milk followed the two bands' every move from their initial meeting at London's Abbey Road Studio, where they recorded their version of "The Saints Are Coming," a single that benefits Music Rising (see "Green Day, U2 Take Historic Collabo One Step Further By Re-Enacting Beatles' Abbey Road LP Cover"). Milk then tracked their somber tour of New Orleans' still-ravaged Ninth Ward and continued to shoot them when they stepped onto the stage at the Superdome, where they blasted through a chill-inducing version of "Saints" - And now he's in the final stages of compiling all that footage into the master version of the "Saints" video, a task that is proving to be quite the undertaking. "We have footage from Abbey Road, when they recorded the song, plus news footage from when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans and shots from the Superdome performance, where I had three cameras rolling," Milk told MTV News. "The whole thing is a tremendous effort. But it's absolutely a dream come true. I'm not sure how I can ever do another video again after this." The clip will combine the stark black-and-white footage Milk shot at Abbey Road with the Superdome performance and "conceptual images" — heavily edited newsreel footage that Milk said would "make a commentary on the Katrina disaster ... from the standpoint of how things can and should be done in the future." "I don't want to give too much of it away, but there's definitely a message [in the video]," Milk added. "But it's also important to make sure that it complements the song, so it starts off somber and dark, and then you're transported to the Superdome performance, which is big and bright and powerful." According to a spokesperson for Interscope, U2's record label, the video for "The Saints Are Coming" could premiere in full on MTV as early as this week. Caroline Galloway, a spokesperson for Music Rising, told MTV News that there are no immediate plans to make the "Saints" clip available for download, though she said fans can still get the Green Day/ U2 version of the song — along with footage shot in and around New Orleans — on Rhapsody.com. She also added that the Superdome performance served as the official launch of phase two of Music Rising's mission, which will provide musical instruments to churches and schools throughout the Gulf Region. For more information, check out MusicRising.org. vh1

Music Rising won the PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) PRism Award for Ongoing Entertainment Organization; Music Rising also won a PRism Award of Excellence in the non-profit campaign category - October, 24, 2007 - Music Rising's staff recently visited New Orleans and was able to see Music Rising in action. Children at Andrew Jackson Elementary performed with their new instruments provided by Music Rising and the vibrant choirs of Corpus Christi Church and the New Israel Missionary Church rejoiced in song.

U2’s Bono to Write For “New York Times” in 2009 - October 24, 2008 - In addition to penning “50-60 songs” for U2’s upcoming album, Bono will also use his literary skills by frequently contributing to the New York Times Op-Ed section in 2009. NYT editor Andrew Rosenthal told journalism students at Columbia University that Bono will write between six and ten pieces for the newspaper, ranging on topics from Africa to poverty to the music of Frank Sinatra. Asked about Bono’s fee, Rosenthal said the Irishman would be working for free, but it’s not like Bono needs a journalist’s salary anyway. The editor also expressed an interest in reacquiring Queen guitarist Brian May to pen some columns. This isn’t Bono’s first foray into journalism: Bono guest-edited an issue of Vanity Fair back in June 2007 and UK’s The Independent in May of 2006. More recently, he blogged for the Financial Times during the United Nations Milliennium Development Goals event earlier this year

'My Favourite Thing in the Whole World' (Larry and Lanois with a funny The Edge-U2.com video) - October 24, 2009 - Edge turns the camera on Larry in the band's latest instalment from the studio. ("Come on lads! Are you not finished yet? How long is this album?" * Edge likes red drums)

2010-10-30T22:13:00.004+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 23 - THIS DAY - U2' HISTORY: "MLK" after "Wire" / The show ends with "With Or Without You" / ATYCLB-promo in London / The Joshua tree has fallen / U2 Singer Moves Merchandising Traffic / RED: $5,2 billion - 363 programs - 131 countries / U2.com premieres the video of "The Saints Are Coming" / CTIA and U2's The Edge Rally Global Audience to Demonstrate Enormous Potential of Mobile Video Messaging / Bono and Damien Hirst / 41st show - U2 360º TOUR - 2nd leg - Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas

"October" tour - october 23, 1981 / Brussels, Belgium. Ancienne Belgique. Main Set: unknown

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 23, 1984 - U2 perform in Nantes, France at Saint Herblain Hospatlier. "MLK" is put back into the set list, and is played after "Wire". Still, the crowd doesn't seem overly responsive to the song. In a Melody Maker interview, Adam Clayton is asked about touring: "There's an awful lot of people all around the world that want to see us, and why should we just end up playing for London and New York who see everyone who comes through? I like to be able to tour in other places. It's not always fun, it's not always together, but you have to accept that as part of the problems of going to these places." Support is "Big Audio Dynamite".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 23, 1987 - U2 perform in Lexington, Kentucky at the Rupp Arena. During "Pride(In the Name of Love)" Bono vocalizes his feelings about scalpers, "If there's any scalpers in this building, they are NOT welcome. We decide what a U2 concert is worth!" "40" is not performed on this night, and the show ends with "With Or Without You" with Bono singing 'how long to sing this song' a couple of time at the end of the song. Support is "The BoDeans".

"ATYCLB - promo" tour - october 23, 2000 / London, England - BBC Maida Vale Studio. Elevation, New York, Stuck In a Moment , Beautiful Day, She's a Mystery To Me. U2 perform and are interviewed live on BBC's Radio 1.

"Joshua tree has fallen over in California desert" - october 23, 2000 - U2 fans confirm a rumor thathad started earlier in the month -- the Joshua tree depicted on The Joshua Tree album has fallen over. The tree had become a landmark of sorts for U2 fans over the years, many of whom spent days searching through the California desert for the tree's location.Those who discovered it managed to keep the location secret in an attempt to make sure the casual fan, or U2 basher, didn't find the tree and try to damage it in some way.

U2 Singer Moves Merchandising Traffic - October 23, 2006 - Since U2 singer Bono announced the RED campaign to raise money to benefit the Global Fund to Fight AIDS on The Oprah Show, 66.3 percent of people registering to join the RED Web site clicked through to merchandise partners' Web sites, according to a metrics company techweb

RED: $5,2 billion - 363 programs - 131 countries - October 23, 2006 - "Now customers can buy the best music player in the world and do something to help the world at the same time," Steve Jobs, the CEO of Apple, stated in a press release. ... According to Apple, the program has raised more than $5.2 billion to donate to more than 363 programs in 131 countries.

U2.com premieres the video of "The Saints Are Coming" - October 23, 2006 - On Abbey Road, last september...U2 and Green Day to benefit Music Rising. Actually, 13.437.563 people watched the video.

CTIA and U2's The Edge Rally Global Audience to Demonstrate Enormous Potential of Mobile Video Messaging - October 23, 2007 - Campaign Will Feature Exclusive Ringtone and Video from The Edge, Delivered to Mobile Devices by Vantrix - CTIA WIRELESS I.T. & Entertainment® 2007, taking place this week at San Francisco’s Moscone Center, is embarking on a common short code (CSC) campaign designed to start a mobile video revolution. CTIA attendees will receive an exclusive video and downloadable ringtone from U2's The Edge via mobile phone text messaging this morning. Music videos, song tracks and ringtones are among the most popular multimedia content sold on mobile devices today. To further demonstrate the lure, legendary musician The Edge, from the band U2, has produced an exclusive video for CTIA‘s CSC campaign. He has also recorded an exclusive ringtone that can be downloaded after watching the video and passed along to others, at no charge.

Bono and Damien Hirst - october 23, 2007:

41st show - U2 360º TOUR - 2nd leg - October 23, 2009 - Sam Boyd Stadium - Las Vegas, Nevada, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas

Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.Get On Your Boots / 3.Magnificent / 4.Mysterious Ways / 5.Beautiful Day / In God's Country (snippet) / 6.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet) / Viva Las Vegas (snippet) / 7.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 8.No Line On The Horizon / 9.Elevation / 10.In A Little While / 11.Unknown Caller / 12.Until The End Of The World / 13.The Unforgettable Fire / 14.City Of Blinding Lights / 15.Vertigo / All These Things That I've Done (snippet) / 16.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet) / 17.Sunday Bloody Sunday / 18.MLK / 19.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) - encore(s): 20.One / Amazing Grace (snippet) / 21.Where The Streets Have No Name / 22.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 23.With Or Without You / 24.Moment of Surrender - Songs from 7 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted): · No Line On The Horizon (7 songs) · All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs) · Achtung Baby (4 songs) · The Joshua Tree (3 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2 songs) · The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs) · War (1 songs) - The guest list is a who's who of family, statesman, and celebrities: President Bill Clinton, Bobby Shriver, Sean Penn, Paris Hilton, Larry Mullen's father, Morleigh Steinberg and Anne Acheson, etc. (Too many to name.) Terry Lawless is shown on the videoscreen as he plays during Unknown Caller. In A Little While features a new ending, with ISS astronaut Frank DeWinne speaking the final verse (on videotape). One includes the 'Hear us coming' coda. The show features a number of video and other elements that are new in the last couple weeks, including fan-submitted videos during Unknown Caller. **** 'Dream beneath the desert sky...' - 'Desert sky, dream beneath the desert sky.' We were briefly In God's Country tonight, as Bono slipped in some lines from a 1987 Joshua Tree classic into a 2001 classic Beautiful Day. Pretty incredible line up of special guests at the show tonight - led by President Bill Clinton, who got quite an ovation when Bono credited him for igniting the campaign to cancel the debts of the poorest countries. Also in the house tonight rock'n'roll royalty in the persons of Chris Martin of Coldplay and Brandon Flowers of The Killers as well as Hollywood royalty with Sean Penn, Jessica Alba, Elizabeth Shue and Kate Bosworth. (And a technology and design monarch in Apple's Jonny Ive.) Audience in fine voice and looks to be some new video making its way into the set... but we won't say too much about that. After all, everyone can see it for themselves... on Sunday night. ... U2.com

Earlier, the former president (Bill Clinton) played golf at Bali Hai with guitarist The Edge of U2. ... !lvrj

October 23, 1940: was born in a small city from my estate of São Paulo, my mum...she loved U2, she sung 'With Or Without You', cause was a track of a Brazilian soap-opera named Mandala (1988). Her name...Maria Georgina: she was a huge Catholic person and she passed way: december 5, 1995; but I had enough time, with her and the ill, to show her a new song by U2, which she was considering the best of U2, this song is Miss Sarajevo. I explained her the lyrics...and she said me, that could have any relation with the Virgyn of Medjugorje....rest in peace my mum...and it's you when I look in the mirror!

2010-10-30T22:03:00.003+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 22 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: the band no longer has time to do simple things like that anymore / 'Bono, with those three chords, you can change the whole world' / Bono´s laryngitis / 80th 'VERTIGO' show: Paul O'Neil was at the attendance-two young boys on stage during 'Sunday Bloody Sunday'-a fan (Alan) played Party Girl with U2 and Bono sprayed champagne-Edge and Bono signed a mag during the show / U2 sign billion-dolar deal

"October" tour - october 22, 1984. U2 perform in Bordeaux, France at Pattinoire. During the previous evening, U2 attended a fair that was passing through the city. "There was this big wheel, and we went to the top of it and could see all over the city of Bordeaux," Bono explains during the concert, and continues on to say that the band no longer has time to do simple things like that anymore. The new set list seems to be converting more fans--U2 are starting the show with "11 O'Clock Tick Tock" and "I Will Follow".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 22, 1987. U2 perform in Champaign, Illinois at the University Assembly Hall. Bono jokes with the crowd, "Why is it everyone keeps booing when I pick up this guitar? I don't play guitar too good but I play it kinda my way. Edge taught me three chords on this guitar...C, A-Minor and an F. He said, 'Bono, with those three chords, you can change the whole world.' Well, if not change the world, maybe get invited to a lot more parties, that's for sure. 'And if you practice real hard', The Edge said to me, 'Maybe you could play Curtis Mayfeild's "People Get Ready".." The guitar-great walks on stage and performs the song with the band. When he leaves he screams his love for some woman in the crowd. Support is "The BoDeans".

"LoveTown" tour - october 22, 1989. U2 are scheduled to play in Sydney, Australia, but due to a bout with laryngitis, Bono is unable to perform. The show is rescheduled for November 17,1989.

80th 'VERTIGO' show - october 22, 2005 - Pittsburgh, PA - Mellon Arena - Damian Marley. Paul O'Neil was at the attendance / two young boys on stage during 'Sunday Bloody Sunday' / a fan (Alan) played Party Girl with U2 and Bono sprayed champagne / Edge and Bono signed a mag during the show ! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Happy Birthday, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Party Girl, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono brings two young boys on stage for Sunday Bloody Sunday. One is dedicated to former Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill, who went to Africa with Bono on a 10-day trip in 2002. O'Neill is at the show tonight. Bono sprays champagne over the crowd during Party Girl. Bono and Edge signed a magazine, which the Man on 'Party Girl' had on the hands
"...PARTY GIRL SHOWED UP TONIGHT! Bono & Edge were on the catwalk and pulled a young man from near us, saying "where is the man who wants to play Party Girl? Where is the Party Girl Man?" This guy was awesome! ! ! They all went up to the stage and proceeded into this really great rendition...Bono said "I think this is going to work!" Then he had a bottle of champagne brought out and proceeded to spray the audience before drinking some, and handing the bottle to Party Girl Man. He was handed a magazine by someone in the crowd, I could see a U2 cover but it wasn't the new Rolling Stone. He said, Sure, we can autograph this for you! He signed it and then took it over to Edge and had him sign it before returning it. No dancing women on stage, but he did bring up 2 little boys together, very touching. Had them sit down and he sang to them. Miss Sarjevo - nothing I have read prepared me for how moving it is in person! Bono nailed every note....The Edge was on fire tonight!!!!! Dancing around, clowning with Bono, he played like a man possessed. Early reports from Security that Bono would not get out of the car to sign/pose/greet on the way in, because he was ill. Silly us, we thought it might be kind of a bummer show...but he really was "on" and seemed to be having a blast. At one point he stopped, looked around at the crowd and said "This is crazy!" interference - U2gigs - U2 brings powerful music and message to mellon Arena: article by post-gazette

U2 sign billion-dollar deal - U2 have jumped on the same lucrative bandwagon as Madonna and Shakira, with a deal with promoters Live Nation, that could earn them more than $1billion. U2 could earn more than 500 million after signing a new contract, a sum that equates to more than AUS$1.2billion. The Irish rock band have made a deal with promoters Live Nation, which will entitle them to 1.56 million shares in the company worth around 10 million. The 12-year deal - which means frontman Bono will be 60-years-old before he finishes touring could see the band earn closer to the staggering amount of 500 million in shared revenue. The group will continue to make albums for record label Mercury Records. U2 were reported to be signing a 50 million deal with the concert promoters back in April. As well as handling the groups tours, Live Nation which also has deals with Madonna, Jay-Z, Nickelback and Shakira - will also handle merchandising, digital and branding rights and will run their website and fan club. The company first worked with The Joshua Tree hitmakers in Toronto in 1980 and have been organising their live events since 1997. Bono said: "We've been dating for well over 20 years now. It's about time we tied the knot. "We feel we have a great website but we want to make it a lot better. We want a closer, more direct relationship between the band and its audience and Live Nation has pledged to help us with that. Live Nation's chairman Michael Cohl added: "U2 has created some of the greatest rock music of all time. It has long been our intention to consolidate and extend our relationship. U2 whose last tour was in 2006 - will hit the road towards the middle of next year.

2010-10-25T22:14:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 21 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: brawl out the show / 1st ever performance of "Slow Dancing" / "Bad" - "Old Man" / "October" lyrics return to Bono in Portland / Bono speaks in Philadelphia / U2 frontman BONO admires Italian designer Giorgio Armani / Bono - NYC !

"October" tour - october 21, 1981. U2 perform in Hemel Hempstead, England at the Pavilion. Like the night before in Leeds, a brawl breaks out during the show.

"LoveTown" tour - october 21, 1989. U2 perform in Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Center. This second night is hampered by Bono's viral infection, originally diagnosed as a simple fever. Support for both shows is "Weddings Parties Anything" and B.B. King. After the show, the band travel to Triple-M studios for an interview on "The Midnight Show". During the interview, Bono mentions that Peter Garrett of "Midnight Oil" is one of the great voices in Australian music, while Jason Donovan makes him "want to throw up". For the first time, U2 perform "Slow Dancing" on the air--they dedicate it to the person they wrote it for--Willie Nelson. "I think he's a great singer," Bono says, "and I want to write a great song for him. It's just been written recently, so I thought it might be nice to plya it for people." Bono only sings the first verse of the song, stops and admits he hasn't finished the song yet. Nelson would finally record it with U2 some 8 years later in Dublin. Returning to the hotel, Bono suffers from what is eventually diagnosed as severe laryngitis. The doctors examining him order him to take a weeks rest, which results in the rescheduling of the Sydney, Australia shows planned for October 22, 24, and 25, 1989. While being interviewed on MTV Australia, Adam assures their fans that "if there's any way that Bono can sing, he will. It's very frustrating for him to be struck down by an illness."

"ZOOTV" tour - october 21, 1992. U2 perform in Denver, Colorado at Mile High Stadium. Another sell out for U2 in Denver is recorded as 54,450 fans buy tickets for the show. During Larry's performance of "Dirty Old Town", the microphone cuts out and he is forced to start over. Bono adds a few lines of John Denver's "Annie's Song" to the end of "Angel of Harlem". "Bad" includes a few lines of Neil Young's "Old Man". Bono rants at the end of "Desire", "I believe in love, I believe in love, love and money! I believe in poetry, electricity and cheap cosmetics! I believe in the sky over my head, and my silver shoes on my feet! I believe in you! I believe for you! I have a vision! I have a vision - now and forever, big time, primetime, all the time, I have a vision - television! That's all folks!" Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

"Bono speaks in Portland and gets back his October lyrics" - october 20, 2004. Bono speaks at the Rose Garden tonight in an appearance for the World Affairs Council-Oregon's International Speaker Series. The main topic is AIDS, debt, and third world poverty, but Bono begins his speech by telling the crowd of more than 4,000 that earlier in the day two females had returned to him the contents of a briefcase that was stolen when U2 first played Portland in 1981. The briefcase itself wasn't returned, but numerous personal items such as photos, letters to and from Ali, a passport, and perhaps most importantly in terms of the band, his unfinished lyrics for the October album. During the speech, Bono refers to the return of his belonging as "an act of grace," and adds "You will never know how much that means to me."

Bono speaks in Philadelphia - october 21, 2005 - With the band on a day off, Bono travels from Washington, DC, to Philadelphia to speak tonight at an event hosted by the World Affairs Council of Philadelphia. When the helicopter he had planned to take becomes unavailable, Bono hops on an Amtrak train for the trip north. During the evening, the council gives Bono its International Statesman Award.

U2 frontman BONO admires Italian designer Giorgio Armani - October 21, 2006 - Because he's "in control of his own destiny". The Irish rocker has admitted a fondness for expensive clothing, including Armani's signature ranges and denim brand Rogan - who also happen to make jeans for wife ALI HEWSON's ethical clothing range, Edun. He says, "Giorgio Armani is my favourite designer, and I like the fact he is not owned by anyone else. He's a 70-year-old man in control of his own destiny. "The other thing I can't do without is Rogan jeans - they're about GBP300 a pair, but they're DAVID BECKHAM's favourite."

Bono - NYC - October 21, 2007:

2010-10-25T22:09:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 20 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: 'Boy' is released / brawl / 70 minute set / first time that Bono performs without a sling / the crowd is overly zealous / 79th 'VERTIGO' show: "Out Of Control"-Happy B-Day to Pavarotti-Condoleeza Rice was at the attendance! / 40th show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - North America - University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas -

"Boy" album - october 20, 1980. U2's debut album, "Boy" is released in Ireland and the UK. It eventually peaks at #52 in the British Charts. The single "I Will Follow" doesn't even come close to entering the UK Top 40.

"October" - october 20, 1981. U2 perform in Leeds, England at Tiffany's. Bono almost ends the concert when a brawl starts during "Another Time, Another Place". Bono shouts, "One more from you, and we're getting off this stage, OK?" Bono then requests that security look after the victim. Support is "Comsat Angels".

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 20, 1984. U2 perform in Toulouse, France at the Palais Des Sports. The set list is only 15 songs long--resulting in a 70 minute set. "Gloria" is dedicated to the fans who couldn't get inside the venue.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - october 20, 1987. U2 perform in Iowa City, Iowa at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena. This is the first time that Bono performs without a sling since his accident on stage September 20, 1987 in Washington, D.C.. Support is "The BoDeans".

"LoveTown" tour - october 20, 1989. U2 perform in Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Center. This first night's show is a good one, except the crowd is overly zealous. Security at several times in the night, are forced to push fans back from the stage. Screams of "I love you" can be heard throughout the night over the microphone.Support for both shows is "Weddings Parties Anything" and B.B. King.

79th 'VERTIGO' show - october 20, 2005 - Washington, DC - MCI Center - Damian Marley - "Out Of Control" / Happy B-Day to Pavarotti / Condoleeza Rice was at the attendance! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., Out of Control, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Happy Birthday, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Walk On (acoustic), Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, With or Without You, All Because of You, Bad. Though it's a week past his birthday, Bono gets the crowd to sing Happy Birthday for Luciano Pavarotti because the band wants to 'send it to him on film.' Bad includes a bit of Patti Smith's 'People Have the Power.' U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice is in the audience. **** Some photos: U2tours * U2gigs

40th show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - North America - October 20, 2009 - University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas - Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.Get On Your Boots / 3.Magnificent / 4.Mysterious Ways / 5.Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet) / 6.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Dirty Old Town (snippet) / 7.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 8.No Line On The Horizon / 9.Elevation / 10.In A Little While / 11.Unknown Caller / 12.Until The End Of The World / 13.The Unforgettable Fire / 14.City Of Blinding Lights / Mofo (snippet) / 15.Vertigo / 16.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet) / 17.Sunday Bloody Sunday / Rock The Casbah (snippet) / 18.MLK / 19.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) - encore(s): 20.One / Amazing Grace (snippet) / 21.Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet) / 22.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 23.With Or Without You / 24.Moment of Surrender - Songs from 7 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted): · No Line On The Horizon (7 songs) · All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs) · Achtung Baby (4 songs) · The Joshua Tree (3 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2 songs) · The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs) · War (1 songs) - Bono dances with three sisters during In A Little While. They stay on stage and sit near Larry during Unknown Caller, and Bono lays across their laps during Edge's guitar solo. 'One' includes the 'Hear us coming' coda. At different times during the show, Bono namechecks Muhammad Ali, Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, and John and Cindy McCain, all of whom are at the show. PICS: U2gigs - eastvalleytribune

2010-10-25T21:43:00.003+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 19 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: "MLK" could not be used to open a concert / Bono, Edge and Adam to Amnesty International / ATYCLB-promo in Paris / 'Kite' is dedicated to Ali's dad-'Please' makes its first appearance of the tour, segueing into 'Streets' like it did on the PopMart Tour / Bono Discusses the World's Poor With Bush / 78th 'VERTIGO' show: A young girl during "Sunday Bloody Sunday"-Bono told about DATA and ONE campaign / Hit Factory converted into condominiums / Bono&Ali and Adam in London (Bono´s wife Alison hosts charity t-shirt launch)!

"Boy" tour - october 19, 1980. U2 perform in London, England at the Lyceum Ballroom, as support for "Slade". The still 'flu stricken band recieves awful reviews for their performances over the past few days.

"October" tour - october 19, 1981. U2 perform in Birmingham, England at Locarno. Support is "Comsat Angels".

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 19, 1984. U2 perform in Marseilles, France at Marseilles Stadium. The set list is completely different from the night before in Lyon, France. U2, realizing "MLK" could not be used to open a concert, now open with two energetic songs, "11 O'Clock Tick Tock" and "I Will Follow".

"U2 stumps in Dublin for Amnesty International" - october 19, 1998. Bono, Edge, and Adam kick-off an Amnesty International campaign in Ireland with a public appearance on O'Connell Street in Dublin. The band signs a petition in support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Amnesty hopes to get one million Irish signatures on the petition before it is presented to the United Nations in December. Bono tells the gathered crowd, "One of the greatest problems in the world is the cynical idea that the world can't be changed and that politics and economics are too complicated to deal with. But with Amnesty it's simple; you can write a postcard and make a gigantic difference to the life of someone who is in jail or suffering human rights abuses."

"ATYCLB-Promo" tour - october 19, 2000 / Paris, France. ManRay. U2 perform at a promotional event in front of about 600 fans and invited guests.

"Elevation" tour - october 19, 2001 / Baltimore, MD - Baltimore Arena. Graham Parker & The Figgs. U2's first-ever show in Baltimore is opened by veteran Graham Parker, who fills in for Garbage at the last minute. Parker plays a brief set before his band's planned gig at a local club. Bono brings a male fan on stage to play guitar during a full-band version of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door.' 'Kite' is dedicated to Ali's dad, who is in attendance. 'Please' makes its first appearance of the tour, segueing into 'Streets' like it did on the PopMart Tour.

Bono Discusses the World's Poor With Bush - October 19, 2005 - U2 Frontman Bono Has Lunch With Bush at the White House, Talks About the World's Poor. Before getting on stage before his fans in a Wednesday night concert, U2 frontman Bono bent President Bush's ear about the world's poor. The rock star and the president had lunch in the private dining room off the Oval Office, ordering from the menu at the same mess hall where White House staffers get their lunch. Bush, dressed in the classic presidential uniform of suit and red tie, also showed Bono, dressed in his trademark black jeans and sunglasses, around the Oval Office. usinfo

78th 'VERTIGO' show - october 19, 2005 - Washington, DC - MCI Center - Damian Marley. A young girl during "Sunday Bloody Sunday" / Bono told about DATA and ONE campaign! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co. - Send in the Clowns, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - In a Little While, Beautiful Day - Many Rivers to Cross, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else,, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One - Ol' Man River. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Bono brings a young girl on stage during Sunday Bloody Sunday and sings the 'no more' shout with her. After meeting with Democratic leaders yesterday and President Bush today, Bono's speech before One is lengthier than normal tonight. He thanks the DATA and ONE Campaign staff, and talks at length about AIDS, debt relief, and rebuilding Africa. (Larry put down his drumsticks to time Bono's speech and 'One,' and Bono later told the crowd Larry had clocked the intro and song at 15 minutes.) **** Photos on U2-Vertigo-tour

Hit Factory converted into condominiums - October 19, 2006 - The New York studio where artists like Bruce Springsteen, U2, Madonna, John Lennon, LL Cool J, and others recorded some of their biggest hits before it shut down in 2005, is being converted into condominiums. spin

Bono&Ali and Adam in London (Bono´s wife Alison hosts charity t-shirt launch) - October 19, 2006 - When it comes to fighting world poverty, Bono and his wife Ali Hewson make quite a team. The pair were in London this week to promote their fashion label's ONE t-shirts, profits of which will go to workers in the African country of Lesotho. The philanthropic U2 frontman, real name Paul David Hewson, was the picture of pride as he wrapped his arms around Ali who was hosting the launch party in exclusive department store Harvey Nichols. And the pair were in no shortage of homegrown and international celebrities to help highlight their cause. Heath Ledger and Michelle Williams were among the A-listers who had modelled the t-shirts for a series of black and white photos, while Sex And The City's Kim Cattrall joined former 007 heart-throb Pierce Brosnan and actress Patsy Kensit for Wednesday's star-studded soiree. The black and white t-shirts are made by Edun – the socially conscious clothing brand created by Ali, her rocker husband and New York designer Rogan Gregory – as part of the Make Poverty History campaign. They cost £28, £7 of which will go to the Apparel Lesotho Alliance To Fight Aids to provide education and medicines for factory workers and their families. Adam was there, too, with Susan Smith. hellomagazine

hellomagazine

2010-10-25T21:39:00.001+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 18 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The cold in Brussels / at Bristol / U2 open with MLK / a birthday cake to Morleigh / Bono hosts a dinner at his home for Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume / Bono visits The Hill / Photo of Bono and Pope John Paul II (wearing Bono´s sunglasses) appear / U2 won Best Single for 'Vertigo' / Bono today in the Court (Nana Mouskouri) / U2 Launch Internet Scavenger Hunt for 'U218' Lyrics / 39th show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - North America - Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Norman, Oklahoma, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas !

"Boy" tour - october 18, 1980. U2 perform in Brussels, Belgium at the Klarick. All band members are now suffering from Bono's cold, which later turns out to be the 'flu.

"October" tour - october 18, 1981. U2 perform in Bristol, England at the Locarno. Support is "Comsat Angels".

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - october 18, 1984. U2 perform in Lyon, France at the Espace Tony Garnier. U2 open with "MLK", and the song is drowned out by the crowds cheering. However, the band quickly realize that the crowds are used to U2 storming the stage. The setlist is a mix of new songs, with older songs occasionally mixed. The French crowd seems unsure of the new "U2" and at the end of the night, the band hears booing amongst the people singing "40". For the next date, in Marseille, France on October 19, 1984, the set list is completely revamped.

"ZOOTV" tout - october 18, 1992. U2 perform in Kansas City, Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium. At the soundcheck, U2 perform a few new songs, including a grungy type number with heavy guitar and drums. Bono also performs a new acoustic piece and performs "Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" acoustically. At that evening "The Sugarcubes", who have replaced Big Audio Dynamite II, introduce themselves with "We are the Icecubes from Sugarland!". Tonight is celebrated Belly Dancer Morleigh Steinberg's birthday, and during "Mysterious Ways", Bono presents her with a birthday cake. The crowd join in for a round of "Happy Birthday". The ZooTV Video Confessionals include an adopted girl who wonders if her biological parents are in the crowd. Support is B.P. Fallon, "The Sugarcubes", and "Public Enemy".

Bono hosts dinner for Nobel Peace Prize winner Hume - october 18, 1998 - Bono hosts a dinner at his home for Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume, who attends with his wife. Also present are many Irish entertainment celebrities, including Adam, Edge, and Paul McGuinness.

Bono visits The Hill - october 18, 2005. On an off-day before two shows in Washington, DC, Bono meets with House and Senate democrats on Capitol Hill today, reportedly urging the politicians to fund the U.S.'s commitments to poverty, AIDS, and Africa.

Photo of Bono and Pope John Paul II (wearing Bono´s sunglasses) appear - October 18, 2005 - From the book 'Do zobaczenia w raju' by Arturo Mari, photographer of Pope John Paul II. The book´s title means "See you in paradise" and was publised last Saturday in this Polish journal. Look for the photo, here

U2 won Best Single for 'Vertigo' - October 18, 2005 - Vertigo Tops Digital Awards - Vertigo was named 'Best Single' at Digital Music Awards in London. The Awards 'celebrate the way you listen to, watch, download, and enjoy your favourite music and artists online, on your mobile, via digital radio and on interactive TV.'

Bono today in the Court (Nana Mouskouri) - October 18, 2006 - Dublin - Bono told he looked like singer Nana Mouskouri before Lola Ca$$hman joined the team, but look here the real Nana Mouskouri. thesun

U2 Launch Internet Scavenger Hunt for 'U218' Lyrics - October 18, 2006 - U2 prepared to launch a worldwide internet competition called "Hunt the Lyric," in which fans looked for hidden lyrics on various web sites for a chance to win an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii to see the final show of the Vertigo Tour with special guests, Pearl Jam. In the competition, which runs for two weeks beginning Monday (Oct. 23), fans use clues posted on U2.com to locate hidden lyrics from the band's forthcoming album, U218, on various websites. Each lyrical excerpt have one letter highlighted, and fans had to collect all letters and use them to answer a specific question. Those with the correct answer entered to win the trip. Participating sites were listed on U2's site and a winner was announced Nov. 6.

39th show - U2 360º Tour - 2nd leg - North America - October 18, 2009 - Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - Norman, Oklahoma, USA - Support Act: Black Eyed Peas - Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.Get On Your Boots / 3.Magnificent / 4.Mysterious Ways / 5.Beautiful Day / God Only Knows (snippet) / 6.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet) / 7.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 8.No Line On The Horizon / 9.Elevation / 10.In A Little While / 11.Unknown Caller / 12.Until The End Of The World / 13.The Unforgettable Fire / 14.City Of Blinding Lights / 15.Vertigo / 16.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (snippet) / 17.Sunday Bloody Sunday / 18.MLK / 19.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) - encore(s): 20.One / Amazing Grace (snippet) / 21.Where The Streets Have No Name / All You Need Is Love (snippet) / 22.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 23.With Or Without You / 24.Moment of Surrender - Songs from 7 U2 albums have been played during that show (snippets not counted): · No Line On The Horizon (7 songs)- · All That You Can't Leave Behind (5 songs) · Achtung Baby (4 songs) · The Joshua Tree (3 songs) · How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2 songs) · The Unforgettable Fire (2 songs) · War (1 songs) - In the first list of 360° Tour concerts published on U2.com on 9 March 2009, this show's date was given as the 19th of October. It was one of numerous shows to then be quietly removed from the tour itinerary. It was re-announced on 6 April, and was the only date changed out of all those removed. It was U2's first concert in Norman or anywhere in Oklahoma since the 10 June 1983 concert on the War Tour. The setlist contains only the second performance of In A Little While on the second leg of the 360° Tour, and the reappearance of Unknown Caller after an absence of almost a month. - Oklahoma Stands Up - 18 October 2009 - Very different vibe here in Norman, with a smaller stadium floor enhancing the 360 vibe. The Black Eyed Peas on their first date with us got things off to a great start for 60,000 Oklahomans and things just got better. Highlights might have been: 'Crazy' - never fails to surprise people who haven't heard the live version ; the little boy in green stripes who gets up on stage for his moment in the spotlight for Unforgettable Fire; MLK ('A message of love from Oklahoma') and a very special introduction to Moment of Surrender. 'For the past few days, all over the world, people have been standing up against extreme poverty,' explained Bono. 'Last year 1.6m people stood up, there's about 60,000 of you here tonight so let's see if we can break a record..' Strangely for the climactic moments of a U2 show, he then invited everyone to sit down and, on the count of three, to stand up. A big success, with the audience unanimous in bellowing 'Stand Up' on cue. 'This is happening in Africa and India, and now Oklahoma yes... from all of us, thank you so much.' ...
U2.com

2010-10-25T21:24:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCTOBER 17 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The cold in Apeldoorn / talking with Dutch fans / U2 gets stamped by Irish Post Office / 77th 'VERTIGO' show: Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa join U2 to 'People Get Ready'-Brazilian fan talks at mic with Bono during With Or Without You / Bono walks through the Upper West Side !

'Boy' tour - october 17, 1980 U2 perform in Apeldoorn, Holland at the Gigant. Bono, suffering from a cold, is barely able to finish the concert.

'October' tour - october 17, 1981 U2 perform in Bracknell, England at the Sport's Center. After the show, U2 return to the venue floor to talk to some Dutch fans who are following part of the tour. Support is "Comsat Angels".

'U2 gets stamped by Irish Post Office' - october 17, 2002 - U2 appears on an official Irish stamp for the first time when An Post, Ireland's Post Office, issues a set of stamps commemorating Irish Rock Legends. The set includes a U2 stamp, and stamps for Van Morrison, Phil Lynott, and Rory Gallagher.

77th 'VERTIGO' show - october 17, 2005 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center - Damian Marley - Bruce Springsteen and wife Patti Scialfa join U2 to 'People Get Ready'! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, I Will Follow, The Electric Co., I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): Walk On (acoustic), Fast Cars, People Get Ready, With or Without You, All Because of You, 40. During the encore, Bono announces that they want to play 'People Get Ready', but says they need an extra guitar player. The crowd erupts when Bruce Springsteen strolls on stage to reprise a collaboration that first happened in September, 1987, at Philly's now-demolished JFK Stadium. Bono calls Bruce's wife, Patti Scialfa, on stage to help with vocals. They play an extended version of the song with mostly made-up lyrics, eventually leaving only Bruce (playing Bono's Irish Falcon guitar) and Larry on stage to close out the first encore. The planned setlist has the show ending with Original of the Species and Bad, but the band plays All Because of You and 40 instead. **** 'This Can't Be A Monday Night..' ...a night to remember in Philadelphia. And what most of us will remember most of all will be Bruce Springsteen singing People Get Ready with U2! As Larry and Edge were introduced in Vertigo, the singer slipping in some Patti Smith along the way, you knew this was going to be a full throttle show because Bono needed water even before Elevation. 'Here's a couple of songs we wrote when we were teenagers,' he explained as every teenager in the audience began wondering at the possibility. I Will Follow received an ovation, flying in to Electric Co where Edge played to Larry and Bono doused himself with water. It's an electric night already, this crowd are pumped, this band are giving it everything. 'This can't be a Monday night, This can't be a Monday night. Is every Monday night like this in Philadelphia?'...Sarajevo is christened 'the capital of CoeXisT' (it was New York last week, but who's complaining ?) and Pride and Streets lift spirits even higher, the smile on Adam's face returned by every face in the house. The Mayor of the city gets honourable mention for helping host Live 8 earlier in the summer and One brings the cellphones out and the house down....another surprise, Curtis Mayfield's People Get Ready. 'Okay where's the man with the sign up saying 'People Get Ready'? asks Bono. 'There you go! This one's for you.' Of course, on previous tours, this was the moment when a guitarist would be plucked from the audience but tonight as Bono announces, 'We need a guitar player...', they have just the man walking on from side of stage. 'Who is this man? Who is this man?' asks Bono and everybody in the house knows this is indeed The Man as Bruce Springsteen wanders into U2, a guitar around his neck bearing the familiar legend 'The Goal is Soul'. * 'People get ready / Cos the boss is in town / He don't suffer no fools / Or kiss no clowns / The boy is from New Jersey / But he feels home round here / New York...they're gonna shed some tears.' *As Bono sings his new version, Bruce plays the chords before taking up the vocals for the traditional version.* 'People get ready, there's a train a-comin' / You don't need no baggage, you just get on board / All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin' / Don't need no ticket, you just thank the Lord' * Edge and Bruce duet on guitar for a moment before Bono takes the vocal again. * 'People get ready / He's a funky brother / Plucking that old guitar / Like you know that he can / People get ready / Cos there is no other / Bruce springsteen is back in town' * And then it's time for another guest, again introduced in song. * 'People get ready / For trouble and strife / You know the boss / Has brought the wife / People get ready / She's a little shy / But a red haired girl / Just a bit of encouragement / And we'll get her there / 'Beautiful girl from the Jersey shore / With a voice like an angel / You know we love you some more / Walk like a Princess / And you talk like a gypsy / And I can't believe that you're / Gonna stand next to me' * And so Patty Scialfa, to another great ovation, joins U2 and husband Bruce on stage. It's a piece of rock'n'roll history, as Philadelphia gets ready and finally Bono leads Patty off while Edge and Bruce finish up. * 'People get ready there's a train to jersey..' sings Bruce and then the moment is over. And still there was time for With or Without You, All Because of You and 40. Wow! That was a night to remember. **** People Get Ready!!! Dedicated to Me!! "I am still in shock ... every show I go to I bring a sign that says "People Get Ready C-Am-F" ... every show Bono has seen it and given me a wave or a shout. Tonight at the show (Philly 10/17), Bono came on stage and asked "where is the guy with the sign, people get ready ... this one's for you" I was in total shock ... and the Boss came out to play.... it was surreal .... whoever was there so me go crazy at the tip of the ellipse...Bono dedicating a song to me played by the band and Bruce ... unreal ... Thanks U2!!!! I'll be sure to thank him at Penn when he comes Friday (I'm a studen there)" by njelevation06 on Interference **** "Kiss me I'm Brazilian" with the Irish and Brazilian flags. "Words can't describe last night's show in Philly where we were fortunate enough to get into the ellipse, get about 8 feet from the stage, see Springsteen join the boys on People Get Ready and then have Bono basically sing WOWY to my wife and talk to her and had her speak Portuguese into the mic (She had a flag we made that said "Kiss me I'm Brazilian" with the Irish and Brazilian flags)..." by satchelg on Interference **** Some photos: flickr * U2gigs

Bono walks through the Upper West Side - October 17, 2007 in New York City: photos: interference

2010-10-25T21:17:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - OCOTBER 16 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Groningen / King´s Hall / Smile Jamaica / fans invited to the rehearsal-'Bono, I can see those fighter planes in your head....' / the love for Operator Two / Bono phones to John Hume / UF shirt / U2 on CD:UK 2004 / 76th 'VERTIGO' show: A little boy (Owen) on stage-a pink rose-'Hey, it's our song. It's OK if we screw it up' / Edge and Bono at a party hosted by Elevation Partners

'Boy' tour - october 16, 1980 - U2 perform in Groningen, Holland at the Vera.

'October' tour - october 16, 1981 U2 perform in Stoke, England at the King's Hall. Support is "Comsat Angels".

'Smile Jamaica' benefit - october 16, 1988 - U2 perform in London, England in the Dominion Theater at the "Smile Jamaica" benefit. Other performers include Chris Rea, Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers, Keith Richards, Robert Palmer, and "The Christians". The show is a benefit concert for the victims of Hurricane Gilbert, which destroyed one out of every five homes in Jamaica. U2 promote the event by releasing press advertisements for "Rattle & Hum" along with the message, "Jamaica needs your help. Support the Hurricane Appeal. Call to make your donation from 11th October." U2 perform a 20 minute set consisting of four songs which will appear on the new album: "All Along The Watchtower", "Angel Of Harlem"(they are joined by "The Rumour Horns"), "When Love Comes To Town"(with Keith Richards who adds long guitar solos to the song) and "Love Rescue Me"(joined by Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers who sing a verse). The version of "Love Rescue Me" appears on the B-side to the "Angel of Harlem" single that is released December 1, 1988. Procedes from the single are donated to the "Smile Jamaica Fund".
When Love Comes To Town:

"LoveTown" tour - october 16, 1989. U2 perform in Melbourne, Australia at the National Tennis Centre. The seven shows orginally started as two, and then an additonal three were added. Another two were added when ticket sales for the additional three were extremely quick. On this concert, a group of fans listening to the soundcheck are invited in by the band. Those without tickets are given tickets, and drinks are served to everyone. The band rehearse several songs, including "Bullet The Blue Sky", "Where The Streets Have No Name", "Van Diemen's Land"(performed solo by The Edge), and "Dancing Barefoot", a B-side to the "When Love Comes To Town" single. "She's a Mystery To Me" is also soundchecked, but is not performed that evening. After the soundcheck, Bono starts complaining of soreness in his throat. Before going on stage, he sees a doctor backstage who tells Bono that he has a fever. In the intro of "Where The Streets Have No Name", Bono explains the story to the crowd and adds, "Now, do I look like a man who has the fever? Well, tonight I take that as a compliment actually!" The performance of "Bullet The Blue Sky" is again charged: "Neighbours, everybody needs good neighbours...so Kylie Minogue comes up to me, see...so Jason Donovan comes up to me, see...so the President of the United States comes up to me, and he wants to ask me a question. He says, 'Bono, we don't get 'Neighbours' over here in the USA...that's why I'm in such a bad mood across the borders, see....that's why I don't think too mcuh about what my Panzer Divisions are doing in Central America, Bono. If I could see Kylie and Jason, I would be happy, the world would be at peace tonight! I love that tune...I think that could be a big hit over here on the BillBoard Hot 100!!' And I look at The Edge, he looks into my eyes, and he says, 'Bono, I can see those fighter planes in your head...." Play to them Edge, SHOW ME WHAT YOU CAN SEE!" Champagne is brought out during "Party Girl" to end the seven nights in Melbourne. Support for all seven shows is "Weddings Parties Anything" and B.B. King.

"ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - october 16, 1992 - U2 perform in Dallas, Texas at Texas Stadium. Before "Redemption Song", Bono says that you have to be either black or Irish to sing it. Bono again declares his love for Operator Two over the phone to the White House. Support is B.P. Fallon, "Big Audio Dynamite II" and "Public Enemy".

"Bono phones in congrats to Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume" - october 16, 1998. Bono phones the Irish TV program "The Late, Late Show" to congratulate guest John Hume, who along with David Trimble was named a co-winner of the 1998 Nobel Peace Prize earlier in the day for their efforts towards bringing peace to Northern Ireland.

"Elevation" tour - october 16, 2001 / Chicago, IL - United Center - Garbage. Edge´s shirt this night is UF-shirt.

"CD:UK" - october 16, 2004 / London, England - Riverside Studios. Vertigo, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, City of Blinding Lights, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own. U2 performs a brief set that's recorded for the CD:UK television programme. Vertigo, which is done with pre-recorded music and Bono singing live, is expected to air a week from now. Bono wants to red Sometimes You Can't Make It... because the crowd is too loud the first time. They try it again at the end of the set with Bono explaining that it's an emotional song and he wants to sing it without the clapping and screaming from earlier in the set.
The interview:

76th 'VERTIGO' show - october 16, 2005 - Philadelphia, PA - Wachovia Center - Damian Marley - A little boy (Owen) on stage / a pink rose / 'Hey, it's our song. It's OK if we screw it up.' ! City of Blinding Lights, Vertigo, Elevation, The Electric Co., The Ocean, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, Beautiful Day, Miracle Drug, Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own, Love and Peace or Else, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Bullet the Blue Sky, Miss Sarajevo, Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name, One. Encore(s): The First Time (acoustic), Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of, Fast Cars, With or Without You, All Because of You, Yahweh, 40. Damian Marley -- Bob's son -- makes his first appearance opening for U2, and Bono marks the occasion by singing a bit of 'Exodus' (and a bit of 'In a Little While') during I Still Haven't Found. He brings a young boy on stage during Bullet the Blue Sky and they walk together around the ellipse. Out at the tip, Bono asks the boy, Owen, to remove the COEXIST headband from Bono's head. Later in the show, Bono also tosses his sunglasses to Owen. **** a little boy on stage / a pink rose: Bob Marley's son Damian opens for U2. Bono slips in a bit of Exodus in I still haven't found, while Damian and band watch from VIP section. He gives his sunglasses to a boy called Owen, who is pulled on stage during Bullet. He let the boy lead him around the catwalk, and when they reached the tip, he asked the boy to take his co-exist headband off. Attempting a bit of In a little while and fucking it up Bono says 'Hey, it's our song. It's OK if we screw it up.' Someone handed Bono a pink rose. He puts it in a bottle of water in front of Larry's kit, then he turns back around toward Larry and winks. **** Edge was smiling ear to ear while the whole place was going bonkers: during Streets (from the back side of Larry)-- when the lights pop on in the middle, Edge came running up the catwalk and was behind Larry. And when the lights came up, Edge's face just lit up and he was smiling ear to ear while the whole place was going bonkers. **** Photos on U2tours

Edge and Bono at a party hosted by Elevation Partners - October 16, 2008 - San Francisco - Bono and Edge were at the party last night at Sam's Chowder House, a highly-rated restaurant overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which was hosted by Elevation Partners, and might have doubled as the company's annual meeting (which has happened in October in past years). The restaurant owner, said, "It was fascinating. It was wild." Now you know!"

2010-09-27T02:10:00.003+01:00

Haiti: Accounting for the Money
By Nicole C. Lee, Esquire
September 26, 2010

President Obama showed positive leadership after the catastrophe in Haiti by pledging the resources of the U.S. government to our neighbor in need. Yet, eight months after the quake, many of the country's Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) remain without food, water, sanitation and shelter. Additionally, civil society and local Non-Governmental Organizations in Haiti report that many international NGOs responsible for policy and programs have been less proactive and seldom prioritize working directly with Haitians.
Following January 12, the world stepped up. Millions of dollars were raised and billions pledged to rebuild Haiti . I am sad to report that, according to the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Haiti, debt relief outstanding, as of August 2010, the U.S. had disbursed none of its pledged $898.4 million from the March 2010 Haiti donors conference.
Unfortunately, the U.S. is not alone in its inaction. Excluding debt relief, the top 22 donors pledged $2.6 billion just for fiscal year 2010 alone, yet by August, only 20 percent of this ($538.3 million) has been disbursed. Distrust and racism has led to historic under-funding of the government of Haiti. By August, only $144.9 million of $538.3 million pledged had gone to the government of Haiti. It is a positive step, despite the low numbers pledged in total. Unlike other instances where direct funding to the Government of Haiti has been nearly non-existent, this change can hopefully build capacity and infrastructure and prevent future catastrophes. Support of the government is important. But, with less than 0.33 percent of pledges in humanitarian aid being spent, we see a deep disconnect.
Haiti advocates are deeply concerned that without immediate investigation, strong oversight and accountability of funds, both private and public failures may further the impact of the devastating quake.
My frequent visits, and receipt of daily reports from partners, remind me that the emergency phase is not over. While reconstruction and rebuilding must move forward, conditions on the ground remain appalling. The majority of those affected by the Earthquake are living in the same conditions they did in January. People’s ability to access basic goods (including safe and secure housing, food, water, sanitation and healthcare) remains extremely limited. With little to no income over the last eight months, those affected by the quake are forced to take drastic measures to provide anything for their families. Additionally, an increasing number of threats and incidents of gender based violence are being recorded. The situation on the ground requires immediate action to remedy the precarious situation of people today.
Questions should be raised for USAID, NGO partners, and contractors who have been granted millions of dollars with questionable results. It is imperative that the U.S. government hold USAID, and their partner organizations, accountable for the money spent as well as outstanding commitments. In addition, the standards being set for acceptable minimums are offensive and inadequate. For example, the UN Shelter Cluster has reported that 100 percent of the country's shelter needs have been met. To the UN this has meant 1-2 tarps and a couple of sticks, in a tropical country during the hurricane season. If this is considered 100% shelter coverage then we must ask: what are the standards for the response in Haiti ?

There needs to be a serious investigation by independent parties of on-the-ground activities of large NGOs and the amount of money given to these organizations. Many of the NGOs, who received money, are trained as professional first responders. It is worrisome that experts in emergency relief work are now weighing the importance of long-term development assistance. Relief work operates under the guise of immediate action, much different than development work, which includes long-term planning and consultation.

Nicole C. Lee, Esquire is the President of TransAfrica Forum

theskanner

2010-09-25T21:43:00.001+01:00

Storm shreds aging tents in Haiti earthquake camps

Girl ties her hair next to her tent
A girl ties her hair next to her tent after it fell down due to heavy rain at a camp for earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010. A storm blasted through Haiti's capital on Friday, killing at least five people as it tore down trees, billboards and tent homes, authorities said

By JONATHAN M. KATZ, Associated Press Writer Jonathan M. Katz, Associated Press Writer – 1 hr 34 mins ago
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The sudden, powerful storm that ripped through Haiti's battered capital destroyed thousands of tents in the homeless camps where more than 1.3 million people live eight months after the earthquake destroyed their homes, shelter officials said Saturday.

The death toll from Friday afternoon's storm stood at five people, including two children, and hundreds of people were reported with varying degrees of injury, Civil Protection chief Marie Alta Jean-Baptiste told The Associated Press.

Preliminary U.N. estimates had more than 2,000 tents damaged or destroyed; international shelter officials said that number could rise beyond 5,000 when assessments are complete.

The storm's effect was exacerbated by the flimsiness of tarps and tents that have been baking, soaking and flapping in the Caribbean elements since the Jan. 12 earthquake killed at least 230,000 people and left millions homeless. Hundreds of thousands of families continue living on the streets of the capital waiting for temporary housing or money to find new apartments.

"Many of the tents that were destroyed had reached their end of lifespan," said Gerhard Tauscher, shelter cluster coordinator for the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Reconstruction has barely begun despite billions of dollars pledged for Haiti in the wake of the disaster. Less than 15 percent of money promised at the U.N. donor's conference in March has been delivered. The United States, which spent more than $1.1 billion in humanitarian aid after the quake, has not delivered any of its promised long-term funds.

Wood and metal temporary shelters fared much better in the storm, suffering minimal damage. But few of the earthquake homeless have those.

Instead they continue living in tarps and tents, sometimes reinforced with metal or wood. As many as 10 percent of such shelters were destroyed in some areas of the capital by the sudden squall, with damage concentrated in central urban areas, Tauscher said.

Camp-management facilities including office tents, clinics and childcare spaces were shredded, especially in camps perched on the steep hillsides between downtown Port-au-Prince and the suburb of Petionville.

"(Our) infrastructure has been ripped up: the house, the office, child-friendly spaces. The clinic held up pretty well and there wasn't any one person hurt. But trees fell and the place looks an absolute mess," said Emmett Fitzgerald of the American Refugee Council, who manages the 26,000-person camp at Terrain Acra.

There was less damage to the north of the city at the Corail-Cesselesse camp, where residents used tools to drain water away from tents and shore up sagging homes with help from international aid and security teams, manager Bryant Castro said.

The storm was not part of any tropical system but rather a standard early-fall Caribbean storm caused by cold and dry conditions in the upper atmosphere, U.S. National Hurricane Center senior specialist Stacy Stewart told AP.

Windspeed and rainfall data were not immediately available. Based on the reports of uprooted trees and damaged tents, Stewart estimated winds might have reached 60 mph (100 kph) — a violent storm, but far below hurricane strength.

Haiti has not suffered a direct hit from a hurricane or tropical storm this year, but months of hurricane season remain. Forecasters are watching the remnants of Tropical Storm Matthew off the coast of Central America, which could transform into a "monsoon low" and threaten the Western Caribbean next week.

The impoverished nation was extremely vulnerable to damage from passing storms even before the quake. Port-au-Prince's Cite Soleil slum was flooded by rains in 2007. In 2008, four named storms struck in the space of a month, killing nearly 800 people and plunging the coastal city of Gonaives under water for weeks.

yahoo

2010-09-25T20:16:00.004+01:00

UPDATE - AUGUST 20 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Lorely Festival in 1983 / Negativland´s atittude / Larry´s "Whiskey In The Jar" / Expo2000 in 1997-"Suspicious Minds" / U2 announces ATYCLB / Bono and Ali in Sarajevo / Bono and Queen Rania join the Sarkozys for dinner in France / The Edge shares U2's secret backstage life with the world! It's access to all areas with The Edge's Twitter account / 23RD SHOW U2 360° Tour - 1st leg: Europe - Don Valley Stadium - Sheffield, England !

August 20 1983 U2 perform in St. Goarshauren, Germany at the Loreley Ampitheatre, as part of the Loreley Festival. Other performers of note include "The Stray Cats", Joe Cocker and Steve Miller. The concert is shown live on WDR-TV, the first time U2 has performed live on TV. The show is later aired on radio in Germany on the "Rockpalast" radio series. The show has a major impact on U2 sales in Germany, and as a result two singles "Two Hearts Beat As One" and "40" are released in Germany only. The "40" single carries a sticker that says "The discovery of Loreley 1983". U2 listen to the radio recording of the concert and decide that certain songs were performed better here than at the Red Rocks concert on June 5th, 1983. Five songs from this show make it onto the "Under A Blood Red Sky" EP: "I Will Follow", "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Electric Co.", "New Year's Day" and "40".

'Negativland releases U2 single' - AUGUST 20, 1991. Electronic band Negativland releases a single called "U2" on the SST record label. The song is a collage which includes unauthorized samples of U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" song from 1987, plus outtakes of radio host Casey Kasem trying to introduce U2's song on his "American Top 40" program. The Negativland track catches the attention of Island Records, however, more for its packaging -- the letter "U" and the numeral "2" appear in large type, while "Negativland" appears in small print at the bottom.

"ZOOTV" tour - august 20, 1992. U2 perform in Foxboro, Massachusetts at Foxboro Stadium. The three concerts have U2 performing in front of approximately 150,000 fans. The first two shows sell out in one day and a third date is added. The gross earnings for the three shows is close to $4.5 million US. On the first night, Bono asks the crowd if anyone in the crowd had been present at the now infamous Paradise Theater show in 1980. As the almost 55,000 fans cheer, Bono laughs and replies, "I think we've got 55,000 liars here!" Larry performs "Whiskey In The Jar" tonight, much to the delight of the crowd. Support is B.P. Fallon, "Primus" and "Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy".

"ZOOTV-Zooropa" tour - august 20, 1993. U2 perform in London, England at Wembley Stadium.

"POPMart" tour - august 20, 1997. U2 perform in Hannover, Germany. U2 christens the site in Hannover, Germany, where "Expo 2000" will begin a little less than 3 years away, on June 1, 2000. Edge´s karaoke this night is "Suspicious Minds"

'U2 announces All That You Can't Leave Behind' - august 20, 2000. U2 announces All That You Can't Leave Behind as the title of their next album on the band's official web site. They also confirm a late Autumn release date and the full track listing for the album.

Bono and Ali in Sarajevo - August 20, 2006 - The 12th Sarajevo Film Festival in the Bosnian capital.

Bono and Queen Rania join the Sarkozys for dinner in France - August 20, 2008 - After a summer of entertaining star pals such as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Robert De Niro aboard his yacht in France, there was another high profile engagement in store for rock star Bono this week. The U2 frontman and human rights campaigner was invited to join Queen Rania of Jordan at a dinner organised by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife Carla Bruni at her family villa in Cap Negre, in the Var region of the French Riviera. Bono rendezvoused with the elegant Jordanian royal - who has been holidaying nearby in St Tropez - at a point close by the Bruni's property. The pair then boarded a helicopter which took them to their hosts. On their first proper break since their February wedding, the President and his First Lady have been unwinding in the south of France since the start of this month. They've been dividing their time between Carla's family estate and the official presidential summer residence of Fort of Bregancon, in the picture-perfect village of Bormes-les-Mimosas. source: hellomagazine

The Edge shares U2's secret backstage life with the world! It's access to all areas with The Edge's Twitter account - By KELLY FINCHAM, IrishCentral.Com Editor - Published Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Edge is giving fans a backstage pass to U2's 360 Tour with an exclusive Twitter feed. The U2 guitarist has been posting amazing bird's-eye photos of the group's tour from right behind the scenes. It's close-up and personal as the Edge shares what it's like to be part of the world's biggest rock band. Fans get the red-carpet treatment from the photographs which show Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam shuttling from stage to stage. From the giant tunnels underneath the European stadiums to the fleet of cars waiting to whisk the boys away, the snaps make you feel like you're along for the ride. The Edge shares pictures of himself and Bono relaxing at the band's base in Eze in the South of France, brings us into the band's dressing room, the wardrobes and access to all areas backstage. He even catches Adam Clayton by surprise in the make-up chair. The Edge won't be putting any photographers out of business any time soon, but the pictures are fantastic. For all you "Almost Famous" fans out there, this is the Twitter account for you! Visit the Twitter page, and let The Edge know IrishCentral sent you! And by the way, don't log on at work ...you will find that hours of your life will disappear clicking through the pictures. Can't wait to see what he posts when they get Stateside.
irishcentral - abcnews

23RD SHOW U2 360° Tour - 1st leg: Europe - August 20, 2009 - Don Valley Stadium - Sheffield, England - Support Acts: Elbow, The Hours

Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.No Line On The Horizon / 3.Get On Your Boots / 4.Magnificent / 5.Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet) / 6.Elevation / 7.I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Movin' On Up (snippet) / 8.Happy Birthday / 9.Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of / 10.Unknown Caller / 11.The Unforgettable Fire / 12.City Of Blinding Lights / 13.Vertigo / 14.I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Reverend Black Grape (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet) / 15.Sunday Bloody Sunday / Oliver's Army (snippet) / 16.Pride (In The Name Of Love) / 17.MLK / 18.Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) / 19.Where The Streets Have No Name / Gloria (snippet) / 20.One / 21.Mysterious Ways - encore(s): 22.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 23.With Or Without You / 24.Moment of Surrender - U2's first outdoor concert in Sheffield, and their first in the city since 17 June 1992. 300th performance of Beautiful Day. Happy Birthday is sung by Bono, Edge, and the crowd for Willie Williams. A very brief snippet of Gloria is at the end of Streets; it is the first time anything from October appears in any manner at a 360° Tour concert. PICS: flickr - U2gigs - Radio coverage: iloveu2ontheradio

2010-09-20T16:12:00.003+01:00

THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: The Baggot Inn stops / refuses rumor of U2´s last tour / Jimmi Rodgers / 'London Calling'-red shirt #7 / Lynott statue to be unveiled / Music Rising has earned the Billboard magazine Humanitarian Award/ Bono with Queen Rania of Jordan / Edge and Bono debut new U2 song on BBC Radio 1 !

'Live music stops at The Baggot Inn' - august 19, 1995. Dublin's Baggot Inn hosts its final live concert performance after 26 years of shows by some of Ireland's top artists, including the young U2 (The Hype), Christy Moore, Luka Bloom, Something Happens, An Emotional Fish and many more, plus international artists like David Bowie and Tracy Chapman. The Inn is under the ownership of Irish Soccer team manager Jack Charlton and others, who plan to turn the Baggot Inn into a sports and music bar by St. Patrick's Day, 1996.

'Island refutes rumors of U2's last tour' - august 19, 1997. Island Records issues a press release refuting a recent report in the Sunday Times newspaper that PopMart will be U2's last world tour.

"The Songs of Jimmie Rodgers - august 19, 1997. A Tribute" is released. Bono performs the track, "Dreaming With Tears in my Eyes".

"Elevation" tour - august 19, 2001 / London, England - Earl's Court - PJ Harvey. A snippet of 'London Calling' is added at the end of 'Elevation'. Edge wears red shirt #7, this night.

Lynott statue to be unveiled - August 19, 2005 - A campaign by fans of iconic Thin Lizzy frontman Phil Lynott to have a statue erected in his memory comes to fruition tonight when it is unveiled in Dublin's city centre. Roisin Dubh - the trust set up to commemorate Lynott's life and work - commissioned the statue, which has been paid for by Lynott's supporters. It was unveiled this evening on the corner of Grafton Street and Harry Street by Lynott's mother Philomena and the Lord Mayor, Councillor Catherine Byrne. Born in Birmingham in the UK and brought up in Dublin, Lynott started playing in groups in the Crumlin area before forming Thin Lizzy in 1969. The band had hits with The Boys Are Back in Town, Whiskey in the Jar and Rosalie, and is considered to be the first successful Irish rock group to make it on the international scene, paving the way for the likes of U2....His devoted mother said his music would leave an everlasting effect on the people of Ireland. 'He took a very old ballad The Whiskey in the Jar and gave it a good bit of rocking,' she laughed. 'I think after that he changed the course of history really, and he opened up great opportunities for all the up-and-coming young bands, and now one of those bands is known as the best band in the world. You know the boys from U2. He loved them, and they were all young boys. Whenever he went on tour he would take young Irish bands with him.'

Music Rising has earned the Billboard magazine Humanitarian Award - August 19, 2006 - Music Rising has earned the Billboard magazine Humanitiarian Award and to be honored at the Third Annual Billboard Touring Conference & Awardson November 8 and 9 at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York. Founded by U2’s the Edge, Gibson Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, and music producer Bob Ezrin, Music Rising is a program designed to replace the instruments lost and destroyed during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Bono with Queen Rania of Jordan - August 19, 2008.

U2 frontman and world peacemaker Bono is spotted hanging out with none other than the stunningly beautiful Queen Rania of Jordan. The two were leaving the Bruni family estate after having lunch with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, in Cavaliere, France, on Monday. bauergriffinonline - interference

Edge and Bono debut new U2 song on BBC Radio 1 - August 19, 2009 - (By Mat Mcgee) - Bono and Edge spent more than an hour doing a live interview today on BBC Radio 1 with host Edith Bowman. The conversation was fun and loose, but also included the world premiere of an unreleased oldie along with a few interesting comments from B&E. Audio from the show is avilable on BBC website. You can drag the slider at the bottom to move ahead in the interview. Here are the highlights with timing notes: * Bono & Edge start at 35:30. Edge brings Edith Bowman flowers, and Bono brings a copy of a book called Enough They talk about the tour and recent shows for a while. * At about 48:00, they talk about the Spider-Man musical and Bono exclaims, "It is gonna happen!" *At about 1:03, Edge mentions that he's been listening to some old, unreleased songs from The Unforgettable Fire. Bono asks if he has a copy with him, and when Edge says he does, Bono suggests they play it on-air. (They don't play it for a while, though.) *At 1:12:15, they start playing "Guess the U2 intro," and Edge schools Bono on identifying the beginning of U2 songs. Pretty funny stuff. *At 1:20:15, Bono reveals that just yesterday they recorded a video piece in which the astronauts in the International Space Station sing "Your Blue Room." Bono says the piece might be in the show by Cardiff. *At 1:37:45, they talk about the new track from The Unforgettable Fire sessions. It was originally called "White City" and they did some work on it back in France a couple weeks ago, Edge says. Bono seems to say that the track has new vocals, but the music is from 1984. It's now called "Disappearing Act." They play a bit of the song at 1:38:30. *At 1:39:45, Edge says they have a new album to work on after this tour; it's not finished yet. Bono, apparently in all seriousness, says the band would like to put out an album "every year." Suggest you listen to the audio pronto; it may only be available for a week. And, for what it's worth, Dan Lanois mentioned "White City" in this 1991-Propaganda interview. source: atu2 **** 'Disappearing Act' on Radio 1 - 19 August 2009 - Taking part in a leisurely lunchtime chat for Bowman's Radio 1 lunchtime show, Bono explained what it's like getting a call from one of the astronauts on the International Space Station ('Well, I'm hanging upside down at the moment, but I managed to get a line out...') and dropped a big hint that the astronauts may be 'performing one of our songs in space.' Edge said that if he couldn't make a U2 show one night, he'd nominate Jimmy Page (his co-star in the new film 'It Might Get Loud') to take his place. Bono revealed that the very first idea for the 360 stage production came during a meal ('It started in a restaurant, putting forks together...') And Edge explained that Disappearing Act was originally called White City and was started with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois during the session for The Unforgettable Fire in 1983. 'We discovered it six months ago, did some work on it in France and it's now finished.' Expect it as part of the bonus material for the remastered edition of 1984's The Unforgettable Fire, later this year. **** 'Disappearing Act' on Radio 1 - 19 August 2009 - Taking part in a leisurely lunchtime chat for Bowman's Radio 1 lunchtime show, Bono explained what it's like getting a call from one of the astronauts on the International Space Station ('Well, I'm hanging upside down at the moment, but I managed to get a line out...') and dropped a big hint that the astronauts may be 'performing one of our songs in space.' Edge said that if he couldn't make a U2 show one night, he'd nominate Jimmy Page (his co-star in the new film 'It Might Get Loud') to take his place. Bono revealed that the very first idea for the 360 stage production came during a meal ('It started in a restaurant, putting forks together...') And Edge explained that Disappearing Act was originally called White City and was started with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois during the session for The Unforgettable Fire in 1983. 'We discovered it six months ago, did some work on it in France and it's now finished.' Expect it as part of the bonus material for the remastered edition of 1984's The Unforgettable Fire, later this year.

2010-09-20T01:02:00.004+01:00

UPDTE - AUGUST 18 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Adam watches one of the opening acts-Larrys sings 'Dirty Old Town' / 'Numb' in Wales / 'Daydream Believer' / 'I am nothing' in Earl´s Court / ITV's new football show..."Beautiful Day" / Jacknife Lee is rumored to work with U2 during the September to recording sessions / Bono wearing Michael Stipe's glasses !

"ZOOTV" tour - august 18, 1992. U2 perform in Saratoga Springs, New york at the Saratoga Raceway. The venue falls short of a sell out by a little less than 5,000 seats. Adam Clayton watches one of the opening acts, "Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy" from the stands relatively unnotieced. Larry performs "Dirty Old Town", "an Irish traditional song. I'll do a very bad rendition of it for you now." Support is B.P. Fallon, "Primus" and "Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy".

"ZOOTV-Zooropa" tour - august 18, 1993. U2 perform in Cardiff, Wales at Arms Park. Edge sings 'Numb.'

"POPMart" tour - august 18, 1997. U2 perform in Nurenberg, Germany, at Zeppelinfield. Edge´s karaoke this night is 'Daydream Believer.'

"Elevation" tour - august 18, 2001 / London, England - Earl's Court - Kelis. A small snippet of 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' is included at the end of 'With or Without You'. The concert ends with Bono repeating 'I am nothing' at the end of Walk On. Edge wears burgundy shirt # 7, this night. ITV's new football show, "The Premiereship", debuts tonight with a shortened version of "Beautiful Day" as the theme song.

Jacknife Lee is rumored to work with U2 during the September to recording sessions - August 18, 2006 - ....the rumors continue...Garret (Jacknife Lee) is soon to begin work with the Editors on their new album and will rejoin U2 for a month in September for what is sure to be another highly creative recording session....

Bono wearing Michael Stipe's glasses - August 18, 2007

futurepicenter

22ND SHOW U2 360° Tour - 1st leg: Europe - August 18, 2009 - Hampden Park - Glasgow, Scotland - Support Acts: Glasvegas, The Hours - Lance Armstrong attends U2’s only show in Scotland. During Walk On the PA dies. The band continue playing as if unaware the audience can’t hear them. The problem is quickly fixed. - Setlist: 1.Breathe / 2.No Line on the Horizon / 3.Get On Your Boots / 4.Magnificent / 5.Beautiful Day / 6.Elevation / 7.I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For / 8.Stuck in a Moment / 9.Unknown Caller / 10.The Unforgettable Fire / 11.City of Blinding Lights / 12.Vertigo / 13.I’ll go crazy if I don’t go crazy tonight (remix) / 14.Sunday Bloody Sunday / 15.Pride / 16.MLK / 17.Walk On / 18.Where the Streets Have No Name / 19.One / 20.Ultra Violet (Light My Way) / 21.With Or Without You / 22.Moment of Surrend
The £20million coffee table-shaped scenery wows 65,000 fans in Glasgow. U2's 45-gig 360° World Tour needed 68 trucks to transport 400 tons of equipment to Scotland - Guitarist The Edge said: "We're spending the money on our fans." The Edge said the band had planted 20,000 trees. thescottishsun

2010-09-07T16:52:00.003+01:00

UPDATE - AUGUST 17 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: A baby-boy to Bono&Ali / a portion of 'Vertigo' / Universal Deutschland shows DVD-ZOOTV / Edge and Morleigh appear wearing Michael Stipe's sunglasses !

"Bono and Ali give birth to their first boy" - august 17, 1999. Bono and Ali give birth to their child, a son. The boy is named Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q Hewson. They already have two daughters, Jordan and Eve.

"Second new song clip hits the web" - august 17, 2004. For the second time this summer, a portion of what's thought to be one of U2's new tracks is made available by fans online. This time it's a 90-second clip of what's believed to be "Vertigo", the first single from U2's upcoming album. This track is said to have been recorded by fans outside Bono's house in the south of France, and the voices of those fans are the most prominent sound heard. But just like the "All Because of You" clip in early July, online fans are generally pleased with what they hear from U2 in the new clip.

Universal Deutschland shows DVD-ZOOTV - August 17, 2006 - Universal Deutschland shows the covers and two trailers of DVD-ZOOTV. Some screenshots:u2TOUR.DE

Edge and Morleigh appear wearing Michael Stipe's sunglasses ... August 17, 2007

Happy Birthday Elijah! God Blesses you and your family and friends, with health, peace, love, a lot of love!

Happy Birthday my brother Fabio! I wish your dreams come true! God Blesses you, your wife, your little Maria and Netinho! Be sure, always we´re together, despite the distance!

2010-09-07T16:18:00.002+01:00

UPDATE - AUGUST 16 - THIS DAY - U2'S HISTORY: Elvis Presley passes away / 1st time in Slane Castle / The Kitchen / 'Suspicious Minds' for Elvis / ONE campaign and EDUN, new shirt to benefit Lesotho: 'The Power In Your Pocket' / A Day In The Life Of Edge (by Bono) / Irish folk singer Ronnie Drew dies at 73 !

Elvis Aaron Presley - august 16, 1977. The King of Rock 'N' Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley passes away.

"Boy" tour - august 16, 1981. U2 perform in Dublin, Ireland at Slane Castle, supporting "Thin Lizzy". U2 plays its first show ever at Slane Castle outside Dublin, and its only Irish show of 1981. They are on the supporting bill for the annual Slane Festival, which is headlined this year by Thin Lizzy. The band performs five tracks from the forthcoming October album, but none have lyrics that match what will eventually be released on the record. During the encore, the band sings "Happy Birthday" for The Edge's girlfriend Aislinn.

"ZOOTV" tour - august 16, 1992. U2 perform in Washington, D.C. at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium. On this second night, Bono asks for George Bush, and when unable to get through to him Bono asks to leave a message: "Could you just tell the President to watch more TV?" A full version of "Can't Help Falling In Love" is played at the end of the show, which features the crowd singing along. Over these two dates, U2 perform in front of over 97,000 fans. Support is B.P. Fallon, "Primus" and "Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy".

"Clarence Hotel fire forces The Kitchen evacuation" - august 16, 1995. More than 100 people are evacuated from The Kitchen, the basement nightclub below the U2-owned Clarence Hotel in Dublin, when a fire is spotted on the hotel's roof. No one is inside the hotel itself, which was undergoing renovations at the time.

"POPMart" tour - august 16, 1997. Wiener Neustadt, Austria - Airfield - Paradise Now. On the 20th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, U2's PopMart show in Vienna, Austria is filled with tributes and references to the King. After performing an acoustic version of "His Latest Flame," Bono jokingly tells the audience, "We ain't gonna kill him a second time!" Before "Last Night on Earth," Bono speaks at some length about Presley while images of pills appear on the video screen. Edge's karaoke is Elvis' "Suspicious Minds." And after the closing song, "One," Bono sings "Can't Help Falling In Love" and just as he did during the Zoo TV tour, tells the audience "Elvis is still in the building."

ONE campaign and EDUN, new shirt to benefit Lesotho: 'The Power In Your Pocket' - August 16, 2006 - EDUN, the socially conscious clothing brand created by Ali Hewson, Bono and New York clothing designer Rogan Gregory, has partnered with ONE: The Campaign to Make Poverty History to launch a new ONE T-shirt made by EDUN at Nordstrom stores and Nordstrom.com ($40 retail). The project will help fight global AIDS and extreme poverty, and bring fair trade and AIDS treatment to factory workers and their families in Lesotho, Africa. The ONE T-shirt made by EDUN, will be available at Nordstrom on September 11, 2006. The tee will be sold exclusively at Nordstrom (USA),Harvey Nichols (UK), Printemps (France) and Isetan (Japan) as well as online at one.org, edun.ie, nordstrom.com.

A Day In The Life Of Edge (by Bono) - August 16, 2007 - A remarkable new film, shot and directed by Bono, in which the man they call The Edge takes us on a tour of one ordinary day in his life. (more) In this ground-breaking, high-quality (hand-held) documentary, discover for the first time what life is really like for the guitarist in a legendary rock'n'roll band: see how he responds when he is awoken by the singer two hours before he intended being awoken; learn about his choice of caffeine intake and his strenuous fitness regime; see how he dramatically turns the table on the 'pavarotti' who stalk the lives of the celebrated with their long lenses - and then how he chases them down the beach; discover who has the most clothes backstage and find out just how much earlobe a U2 crew member should reveal. 'I don't want to be in the news,' Edge complains from under his pillow, as Bono rouses him at the crack of dawn. But for one day in Miami, in the middle of a a rock'n'roll tour, Edge is the news. Edge unexpurgated and uncut - you've never seen anything quite like it. View A Day In The Life of Edge in three parts. 'I like to exercise regularly, maybe once or twice every four to six weeks.' - View Part 1: 'Three chords and the trout' - View Part 2: 'Chasing The Pavarotti' - 'Notice how many clothes the singer has compared to how many I have...' - View Part 3: 'Follow The Yellow Tape Road'
U2.com

Irish folk singer Drew dies at 73 - August 16, 2008 - Ronnie Drew, the legendary Irish folk singer and musician, has died at the age of 73, his family has announced. Drew, the founder of The Dubliners, had been battling ill health for some time. In a brief statement, his family confirmed he passed away at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin at 1400 BST on Saturday. ... Earlier this year, members of U2 joined fellow Irish musicians Sinead O'Connor, Shane MacGowan, Christy Moore and others to record a tribute song The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew. All profits from the release of the single went to the Irish Cancer Society. Speaking at the time of the recording, U2 frontman Bono said: "Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects. "This is a big fight for him. But like any fighter, it's easier if there's a crowd cheering." ... full article - bbc - Ronnie Drew, 1934- 2008 - 'Ronnie has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens...' Bono has paid tribute to the great Ronnie Drew, who has died aged 73, after a long illness. 'Weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs... that's what I loved about Ronnie Drew's voice and spirit. Music to inspire, to console... an optimism that was contagious... that's what U2 took from The Dubliners. 'Ronnie has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens... they need him up there... it's a little too quiet and pious. God is lonely for a voice louder than His own... then the bad weather will break...' Born in Dublin in 1934, Ronnie Drew founded the group that became The Dubliners and became one of the country's great musical voices. Earlier this year some of Ireland's finest musicians collaborated on 'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew', a track raising funds for The Irish Cancer Society at Ronnie's request. Take another look here - source: U2.com

2010-07-30T02:03:00.004+01:00

Haiti Rescue Baby Reunited With Mom After Six Months

By Monique Jessen | Thursday, July 29, 2010 9:01 AM ET

Baby Landina, brought to the UK for life-saving surgery after the Haiti earthquake is finally reunited with her mom in London

Six months after the Haiti earthquake, Marie Miracle Seignon, a native Haitian, had given up all hope of finding her beloved baby girl Landina. Living in one of the worst slums in the capital of Port-au-Prince, she had zero resources and had to assume her daughter was dead. But six weeks ago, she received the amazing news that Landina was alive and well.

As we previously reported back in March, Landina was rescued from the rubble of January's devastating earthquake in Haiti's capital and flown to Britain for a life-saving operation on her skull (she also had her arm amputated prior to leaving Haiti). With the help of Facing The World, a charity specializing in craniofacial reconstructive surgery for children, little Landina got better with each day that passed.

The next step was to try and find the little girl's relatives back in Haiti. With all the documentation having been buried under the hospital where she was found in Port- au-Prince, it seemed an impossible task but the charity persevered and with the help of a Channel 4 News journalist, Inigo Gilmore, the team finally tracked down Marie Miracle Seignon — Landina's biological mom.

According to Channel 4 News, Seignon (whose name means Mary Miracle) was eventually found as a result of a local radio appeal. But when her friend ran to tell her the amazing news, she didn't believe her. "She said 'this may sound like something from the movies but Landina is alive,' recalls Seignon, adding: "Even after the reporter came and showed me the pictures it was still hard to believe." Sponsored by the charity, Seignon flew to the UK (her first trip outside of Haiti) on Tuesday for an emotional reunion with 8-month-old Landina. Breaking down in tears, she said "this is a very happy moment."

Mom and daughter will stay in the UK for six weeks before returning home to Haiti and Landina's three siblings. But, with the living conditions being so poor in the slums and access to primary health care so limited, the charity is understandably concerned about Landina's future. And so, they have one last mission to complete before they say their goodbyes — they want to raise $190,000 for the little girl's education and upbringing.

Marie Miracle Seignon's smile and middle name says it all.

If you would like to donate to the Landina fund please visit Facing The World's

fundraising page here.http://www.justgiving.com/landina

tonic.com

2010-07-25T00:47:00.002+01:00

Report: Wyclef Jean may run for Haitian presidency

Haitian-born musician Wyclef Jean is overcome with emotion while discussing his recent visit to earthquake-stricken Haiti and how is organization, Yele Haiti, is helping with relief efforts, Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in New York. (AP / Diane Bondareff)

The Associated Press

Date: Saturday Jul. 24, 2010 7:36 PM ET

MONTREAL — A spokeswoman for Wyclef Jean isn't saying whether the hip hop star has plans to run for the Haitian presidency and wouldn't confirm a Canadian newspaper report that the musician is ready to throw his hat into the ring.

"We don't have anything to talk about at this point, that's for sure," Adrienne Jacoby told The Canadian Press in a telephone interview Saturday.

"I know there's always rumours flying (around), but we don't have anything definitive on our end, so if anything were to change, I'm sure a press release would be issued."

Jacoby, of Jean's charitable Yele Haiti Foundation, was responding to a report Saturday in an Ottawa-based newspaper that says the Haitian-born musician is poised to run for president.

French-language newspaper Le Droit reported that a source close to the Haitian government is "sure" the singer and producer will be a candidate.

Asked if Jean has ruled out a campaign for the president's office, Jacoby replied that she doesn't have the answer. But she didn't deny it, either.

"I don't really have that kind of association with him, so I don't get to ask him those questions," she said.

"As far as I know, no -- I have no comment."

Jean's charity helped with relief efforts following January's devastating earthquake, work that prompted many to ask him if we would consider leading the impoverished Caribbean nation.

Jean, 37, was asked Friday in an interview with Fox Business if he would run in the Nov. 28 presidential election.

"I would say right now, currently at this minute, no," responded the former member of the now-defunct Fugees.

Earlier in the week, the Haitian-American, who grew up in New Jersey, addressed the issue on his Twitter page.

"Just to Clear up the rumours I have not announce (sic) to the Press that I'm Running for President of Haiti," his tweet says.

The newspaper report said Jean is taking steps to formalize his candidacy, which must be registered by the first week of August.

It also says he is consulting his entourage and law experts to assure that his eventual candidacy is legal.

"They've asked me over again," Jean told Fox business when asked about rumours he was going to run for the Haitian presidency.

Jacoby said Jean's constantly asked about presidential aspirations because the people in Haiti love him.

"That's probably why the rumours always start flying around about him," she said.

The country is still struggling to recover from the massive earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and reduced cities to rubble.

Last week, a key U.S. senator criticized Haitian President Rene Preval in a paper, saying he has "demonstrated marginal capacity to lead his country's reconstruction."

Preval has been president for nearly 10 of the last 15 years. His tumultuous term is scheduled to end in February, when he will be replaced by the winner of November's vote.

ctv.ca

2010-07-20T22:44:00.001+01:00

Haiti still in need 6 months after earthquake
Posted - 7/19/2010 at 8:37AM by Naomi Pescovitz

TUCSON - Six months since the earthquake in Haiti, Tucson-based aid organization World Care says there has been a decrease in donations.

Describing it as "donor fatigue," they say donations have dropped since the first two months since the disaster.
Both World Care and Tucson doctors who recently volunteered in Haiti say the Haitian people still need our help.

"Do what you can. In my capacity, I gave medical care," Dr. John Hettiarachchy says.

Hettiarachchy spent a week volunteering in Haiti and came back on the Fourth of July. The video he captured there shows what the Haitian people still face, six months after the quake.

In Tucson, Hettiarachchy is an anesthesiologist. In Haiti he found he would have to put all his medical training to use, caring for a nine-year-old girl hit by a bus.

"They did not have an intensive care physician available so I functioned in that capacity," Hettiarachchy says.

"Over the course of a week, I was able to get her off the breathing machine, and discharged from the ICU with her family."

Dr. Luis Esparza volunteered in Haiti right after the earthquake. He went back a few weeks later.

"The air wasn't quite as bad but in terms of buildings and just organization it was still hopeless," Esparza says.

Esparza says now that it has been several months, the public should know Haiti still needs support.

"You don't ever hear about it anymore and the need there is still, it's so great that most people have no idea how bad the situation is there," Esparza says.

If you want to help in Haiti, World Care says they need hygiene supplies. Or you can make a monetary donation. World Care is located at 3538 East Ellington Place, Tucson, AZ 85713.

kvoa

2010-07-20T21:58:00.002+01:00

Daniel Lanois recovers from near-fatal accident
Last Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 | 4:40 PM ET
The Canadian Press

Surveying the damage inflicted by a motorcycle accident last month — his collarbone and pelvis fractured, six ribs broken and a still-worrisome amount of internal bleeding — Daniel Lanois cannot help but think of how lucky he is.

The crash that brought his summer to a screeching halt could have been much worse.

"Hey man, I'm lucky to be alive," Lanois told The Canadian Press on Tuesday in a telephone interview from California, where he's recuperating.

"It could have been spinal. Luckily, I was wearing a full-face helmet. It could have been a head injury. It could have been anything.

"I almost died."

Hit singer, songwriter and music producer Daniel Lanois, seen in an undated photo, says he's lucky to be alive after his motorcycle accident in Los Angeles in June. (Canadian Press)

'Old school accident'
The accident occurred on the first weekend of June in the scenic Silverlake enclave of Los Angeles. Lanois, 58, was riding his dazzling BMW HP2 Megamoto — a two-cylinder Supermoto with a sleek blue frame and white tank. He was en route to the Henry Fonda Theater in Hollywood, eager to hear a new band that had come highly recommended from a friend (he can no longer remember the act's name).

He was driving straight when somebody in front of him turned to abruptly pull into a corner store. Lanois sensed an impending collision and acted swiftly.

"I realized I was going to hit him, so I swerved to miss him," he recalled. "I missed him, but then I hit a static box on the sidewalk. It was like a little telephone box, and I smashed into that.

"That's it. I blacked out. When I came to, I was looking at the sky, and just people trying to help me. And somebody called 911, and that was it. They hauled me away.

"It was just an unfortunate accident. Old-school accident. Nothing crazy high-speed or anything. Just 35 miles an hour."

Lanois was then sequestered in intensive care in a California hospital for three weeks. Upon returning home, he was tended to by nurses, day and night.

'It's been kind of overwhelming and very sweet to receive so much attention.'
—Daniel Lanois

He wasn't able to walk, so with his bed parked in the foyer of his L.A. home, his assistant set up some rings — "like gymnastics," he notes with a laugh — to allow him to pull himself out of bed.

"The night nurse was quite impressed with that display," he says with another laugh.

Indeed, the unfailingly friendly Lanois is surprisingly sanguine about the life-threatening incident. The Quebec-born, Hamilton-raised producer chuckles often when recounting the details of the past month, whether marvelling at the way broken bones can fuse back together or kidding about soliciting sympathy for his condition.

"I'm using the Ray Charles technique," he joked, "which is [to] act more blind when the girls come 'round."

Lengthy road to recovery
But Lanois is still in the thick of a long recovery. He's most concerned about the amount of internal bleeding he may have suffered in the accident.

"The real problem is lots of bleeding around the lung," he said. "It has to be drained and monitored. A broken bone is not so bad, but internal bleeding is not so good.

Internationally celebrated music producer and singer-songwriter Daniel Lanois, seen posing with his star at the Canada's Walk of Fame gala in 2005, has already returned to work following his motorcycle accident, with a new Neil Young album set for release. (Tobin Grimshaw/Canadian Press)

"The main concern is my lung capacity. Because I think it's currently restricted by bruising around the lung, and there might be some dried blood laying in the bottom of the cavity there. So my lung is kind of bumping up against this big scab and scar tissue. So that's the concern, really.

"And I'm going to know better after I do a scan in a couple weeks."

There are signs of progress, too. Lanois regained his mobility 10 days ago, and he's hopeful that his broken bones will heal.

"I think the bones are going to be OK," he said. "I might look a little crooked, because the collarbone didn't mend straight, and neither did the ribs, so it's all a little cockeyed.

"But as long as I'm wearing my costume, you might not notice."

Lanois has been riding motorcycles since he was 16, and said this was his first accident. When asked whether he would ever ride again, he responded with a chuckle: "Well, I'm not going to ride this season."

He was more serious, however, about an outpouring of support from fans that lifted his spirits during a difficult recovery process.

"It's been kind of overwhelming and very sweet to receive so much attention," he said.

And of course, that attention hasn't only been flowing from fans. Lanois, who has won Grammy Awards for his collaborations with U2, Bob Dylan and Emmylou Harris, has received an outpouring of support from his peers as well.

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant sent Lanois text messages lightly chiding him for his chosen mode of transportation ("You don't have to be on a motorcycle to get lucky," Plant told him) while Lanois said he also commiserated with Bono, who was recovering from emergency back surgery.

Already back to work
The accident did threaten to derail a typically busy year for the tireless Lanois. He had to postpone the debut release from his group Black Dub (it's now coming in early November, he said) as well as a planned tour, which he now hopes to complete next summer. For now, he says he still must avoid air travel.

Still, the accident didn't keep from him resuming work on Neil Young's latest album, which Lanois says is "fantastic."

"We followed a simple philosophy: it's a solo record," he said of the latest work from the legendary Toronto-born rocker, which Lanois says will be out in late fall.

"So it does not have a band, but it's rocking. And he's really come in with the songs, they're terrific. I dare say it might be some of his best work in some time. We've really hit the motherlode.

"I've worked with Neil over the years in small doses … but we had never done something together from scratch. So let me put it this way: there's an automatic communication system that exists between two Canadian dogs. It's been a lot of fun, and we're very dedicated, and I think I finally met my match."

Lanois sounds relieved to be back to work. In fact, he resumed work on Young's record almost immediately upon returning home from intensive care. Never one to waste much time, Lanois certainly isn't going to start now.

"I've always tried to make every minute count," he said. "But maybe that thought applies more now than it did before."

Daniel Lanois, seen second from right, has received an outpouring of support since the accident from his fans and peers, including U2 (from left, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Bono and Larry Mullen, far right). (Reed Saxon/Associated Press)

cbc.ca

2010-07-04T23:29:00.001+01:00

Exclusive: Bono writing music for Brave?

June 28, 2010

New information suggests that U2 frontman Bono is writing music —possibly an original song— for a future Pixar feature, most likely Brave (in theatres June 15, 2012).

Bono may be working with U2's guitarist The Edge, with whom he's collaborated on previous non-band projects.

I won't be discussing sources for this story and, of course, it couldn't be further from being officially confirmed. But it does seem reasonably solid at this point.

A while back, a Pixarian or two let it slip on Twitter that Bono had been to the studio in Emeryville. Didn't think too much of it at the time and so can't recall exactly when this was. I'm sure it was within the past year.

Those tweets are nowhere to be found now, so if you remember when it was —what month— please let me know.

In February, former Pixar CFO Ali Rowghani, who at the time was leaving the studio to become CFO of Twitter, tweeted about Bono's visit as his "Pixar memory #5".

Yours truly is a huge U2 fan. They made a stop in Toronto last September on their U2 360° Tour and I was blown away by the show —they're one of the biggest acts on the planet right now. Very disappointed when it was announced last month that the next leg of the tour would be postponed until next year due to Bono suffering a herniated disc in his spine.

So, what's your take on Bono/U2 doing a song for a Pixar movie? "Beautiful Day"? Or will you feel "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of"?

pixarblog

2010-06-28T23:20:00.001+01:00

UN chief sends SOS on poverty, climate, Haiti
By John Heilprin
Associated Press Writer / June 28, 2010

UNITED NATIONS—Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon cautioned rich nations Monday upon his return from the G-20 summit in Toronto against balancing their budget shortfalls "on the backs of the world's poorest people."

The U.N. chief's appeal to step up efforts on poverty, climate aid, Haitian recovery and other development followed the weekend summit where the Group of 20 rich and developing nations backed a vow by rich nations to slash budget deficits in half by 2013.

Ban insisted that more, not less, world aid was needed because of the global financial crisis.

Specifically, he called on rich nations to make "concrete progress" in grappling with rising temperatures from greenhouse gases. He said they must honor their commitments at the Copenhagen climate summit last December to provide $30 billion by 2012 in "fast-start" aid for developing nations to deal with climate change.

"We are all concerned about rising budget deficits and public debt. But we cannot balance budgets on the backs of the world's poorest people. We cannot abandon our commitment to the most vulnerable," he told reporters at U.N. headquarters. "That is the message I delivered in Toronto, loud and clear."

Ban praised the summit's declaration to keep a strong focus on long-term efforts to reduce poverty and narrow the development gap between rich and poor.

He said he urged the summit to invest more in U.N. efforts to create jobs, promote agriculture, build public health systems and shift to clean energy sources.

"I am encouraged that in all these areas, leaders showed a growing unity of purpose. But of course, we must do more," he said, adding that he was "especially encouraged by the strong expressions of support" for the U.N.'s anti-poverty goals and summit planned for September.

He said G-20 leaders must "narrow their differences" on financial approaches before their next summit in Seoul in October.

Asked about Haiti's earthquake recovery effort, he acknowledged that very little of the $5.3 billion pledged in Haitian aid has actually been delivered. So far it's been less than 1 percent -- just $40 million from Brazil.

"I'm aware of the current situation of delivering aid to many needy people in Haiti. I'm concerned that this delivery of aid program has not been moving as expeditiously as we had planned," Ban said. "We will try to expedite this process."

But he said the commission co-chaired by former U.S. President Bill Clinton and Haiti's Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive "have moved the most vulnerable group of people to safer places," but worry that with the rainy season more people will have to be resettled soon.

Ban was departing later Monday on his third trip to Africa this month. It will include stops in Gabon to address its parliament and in Congo to express "solidarity" for its 50th independence celebration.

boston.com

2010-06-27T20:47:00.001+01:00

Baker: Haiti still needs donations, help

The Rev. Paul Baker of Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton, flew near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on a mission trip. Here, he stands in front of the Eglise Methodist D'Olivier church.

A Wahpeton church leader recently returned from a week-long trip assisting Haiti residents rebuild their lives.

At the end of May, the Rev. Paul Baker of Evergreen United Methodist Church flew to Fond Deux, an area 50 miles west of Port-au-Prince, to help construct the foundation of a church. According to his Web site, rebuilding the church will be essential for the community.

"It may be used as a community shelter during tropical storms and hurricanes," he wrote.
The Rev. Paul Baker of Evergreen United Methodist Church, Wahpeton, flew near Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on a mission trip. Here, he stands in front of the Eglise Methodist D'Olivier church. photo submitted

As a disaster relief coordinator on behalf of Dakotas United Methodist Church, Baker accompanied eight other church leaders from across the nation to help out and hold a health clinic at the site. He was asked to go on the annual trip because of his experience with natural disasters.

The trip was intended to introduce mission trip leaders to Haiti so they could go back and take others, said Baker, a first-time visitor to the country.

"Hopefully, it will just continue to multiply," he said.

It's been five months since the earthquake struck the Caribbean nation, which killed more than 200,000. Residents everywhere are still living in tents for fear of aftershocks, even if their home wasn't damaged by the earthquake.

"They'll go into the houses in the daytime, but they're afraid to stay there overnight, so tents are everywhere," he said.

As residents continue to rebuild in one of the poorest countries in the world, their progress is considerably slow without heavy equipment. Half of the machines at Fond Deux - Baker saw five total in the week he was there - were provided by the United Nations. Essentially they're trying to do it with picks and shovels, he said.

"You look at all these houses and buildings that are flat and you wonder if somebody died there," he said. "It was a sad experience. But it was also just exhilarating meeting the people and seeing how much hope they had. Their faith is extremely strong."

Last year, Baker helped coordinate the Dakotas United Methodist Church response to the 2009 flood. He also coordinated relief efforts for the city of Dickinson, which suffered from housing loss after tornadoes battered the area.

"People tend to forget within a few weeks or months after the disaster is over that it takes years to recover," he said. "It's so important to keep our eyes and ears open, even though it's out of the media. The disaster is still going on in people's lives."

Baker, who intends on returning to Haiti this winter, said he encourages others to donate.

"Any donations to a charity working in Haiti would be more than appreciated," he said. "I think it's important to go over there, too, to let them know you care if for no other reason."

wahpetondailynews

2010-06-26T21:15:00.002+01:00

Rebuilding Haiti
July 21, 2010
Gail Martin - Independent Editor

Marilyn McIlroy wants to help the people of Haiti rebuild.
McIlroy, who works with Evangelical Missionary Church of Canada World Partners/Global Initiatives, was in Haiti on the day of the fateful earthquake on Jan. 12. She was there as part of a medical mission team that claimed the life of Alma-area resident Yvonne Martin.
Since then, McIlroy has returned to Haiti once, in a “scouting mission” to determine how best to house the internally displaced people (IDPs) of Haiti.
It was April, three months after the earthquake, and Port-au-Prince was still like a war zone.
McIlroy said that Wall’s Guest House, the building in which Yvonne Martin lost her life, was still a pile of rubble. It’s only been in the last month or so that the rubble has been taken away, wheelbarrow by wheelbarrow.
During her trip, McIlroy connected with the villages that Martin’s team had intended to visit, and attended a memorial service in her honour.
“I had mixed feelings when I went,” said McIlroy. “But I had to go.”
Many of those who had expected Martin’s arrival mourned her passing, said McIlroy. In fact, at the time of the earthquake, villagers who were expecting the medical team tried desperately to get in touch with McIlroy and Martin, and feared the worst when they could not reach them.
They turned out to be right.
For McIlroy, returning to Haiti not only helped her with her own mourning and sense of loss, but also helped the Haitians who knew and loved Martin.
It was still tremendously difficult.
Smelling the cement dust that is still in the air, for instance, would bring back memories of the moments after the earthquake, said McIlroy.
“I had a heaviness in my chest, and my heart would beat rapidly,” said McIlroy.
Still, it was good to have the chance to return to Haiti and say a formal goodbye to her friend and colleague.
“It was a lovely memorial,” said McIlroy.
The second part of McIlroy’s visit, however, was designed to find ways to help Haitians recover from the earthquake. First and foremost, they need housing.
McIlroy said that when you reach the rural areas of Haiti, you can’t necessarily see the impact of the earthquake. Many of those who have left Port-au-Prince have moved to the rural areas. Some are living with relatives, while others have been taken in by various organizations. A few are in tents — a difficult place to be, considering the sweltering heat that is the norm in Haiti.
And all of these IDPs are living in crowded, difficult conditions, and many do not have any means of income.
EMCC hopes to help change that, by building pre-fab homes that will offer a permanent solution to the housing crisis — rather than “temporary” dwellings that are still being proposed by many aid agencies.
“It’s been six months,” said McIlroy. “Why are we looking at temporary housing, when these people need permanent housing?”
The houses that EMCC are proposing would be made of structural insulated panels that can be initially made in Canada, and shipped to Haiti, where they will be assembled. The total cost is $8,000 per home, compared to $2,500 for an average temporary structure. These houses are hurricane and earthquake-resistant, and are expected to last up to 30 years.
They also have an added advantage — they aren’t made of concrete.
“At this point, Haitians aren’t too keen at living in cement houses,” said McIlroy.
During her April visit, McIlroy checked with EMCC’s Haitian partners, to see if Haitians would be willing to live in these houses. She received approval, and the project is now at the next stage.
This week, four pre-fab houses will be shipped to Haiti, as prototypes that will be built as examples.
If EMCC is able to partner with other agencies working in Haiti, they hope to eventually build more than 1,000 homes in this manner, using local contractors in the construction of the homes. If the project is a success, they hope to eventually have a factory set up in Haiti, giving more employment to local workers.
McIlroy said that all of this work will be based on the premise that they are coming alongside the Haitian people — and not “helping” in any paternalistic role.
“We are working with them, not ‘supervising,’” said McIlroy. “It has to be something they want.”
For more information on the Homes for Haiti project, contact Lou Geense at EMCC Global Initiatives, at lgeense@emcc.ca, or by phone at 519-894-9800.
elmiraindependent

2010-06-25T23:36:00.004+01:00

Bono to return to stage in weeks - McGuinness
By Aoife Anderson

Wednesday June 23 2010

FIGHTING FIT: Bono is expected to shortly be back on stage for U2's world tou

BONO will be back on stage in a matter of weeks despite his recent emergency surgery, according to U2's manager Paul McGuinness.

The Irish rocker (50) was operated on after becoming temporarily paralysed -- forcing the band to cancel the start of the US leg of their 360° Tour and their headline slot at Glastonbury.

An optimistic McGuinness told the Diary: "He's making a full recovery. The doctors told me he's going to be fine. It was serious surgery but we expect him to make a full recovery. He's pretty fit."

McGuinness said there was no reason to believe the tour's massive stage production had anything to do with the singer's injury.

"It's a big stage to run around, but no," he said. "I'll be very relieved when I see him running around the stage again. The European leg of the tour starts in Turin on August 6 and that has not been postponed.

"Rescheduling the American leg is quite difficult because it is an outdoor show; we can't do it in the winter because it's the northern hemisphere.

"So what we're doing now is trying to seek availability of the buildings that we had already pretty much sold-out, so we're getting availabilities and routing a coherent tour for next summer in the US and Canada. We've nearly done it so I hope we'll be able to announce that shortly."

McGuinness insisted the rest of the band hasn't been enjoying an impromptu holiday while Bono recovers.

"No not really, they're doing some work and planning to do some recording. It never stops really," he said.

- Aoife Anderson

herald

2010-05-30T00:56:00.006+01:00

Ali Hewson: Edun regained

They live in a mass slum; she lives in luxury. But Ali Hewson – perhaps better known as Mrs Bono – is determined to bring a little bit of paradise to these African lives;and in so doing, she is breathing life back into her ethical-fashion company

By Craig McLean

In 2005, Hewson visited Lesotho, to check out the factories which Edun, her and Bono's ethical fashion company, had established in the southern African kingdom

As schools go in Africa's second-biggest slum, the children of Bidii Nursery are lucky. They're in class from 8am to 3pm and are fed basic meals. There are 90 of them, aged one to seven; 35 are orphans. The school roll, written in a jotter, includes kids who don't seem to even have a second name: Robert, Dennis, Brian.

The children have to share five teachers and one room of approximately 20ft by 20ft. The walls are bright with posters featuring lists of English words. The floor is hard-packed earth. The toilet is a flyblown hut out back. Neighbouring jerry-built developments are encroaching on the school's modest footage. And some of those children who have parents are leaving Bidii. Mum and dad can't afford the monthly school fees of 200 shillings – the equivalent of £2.

This is Kibera, a jam-packed mass of corrugated iron roofs, mud walls, twisty alleyways, 1.5 million people and no running water. It is a city within a city – Kibera billows out from the edge of Nairobi, capital of Kenya. Some westerners might know it from The Constant Gardener, the 2005 film about the corrupt practices of first-world pharmaceutical companies.

That's how I "knew" Kibera. But obviously I didn't really know it. The smell, the smoke, the crunch and squelch underfoot of rubbish and gnawed cornhusks, the swampily faecal pools, scrubby patches of Brussels sprouts, people crammed everywhere. The shop-shacks selling buckets of coal, handfuls of potatoes, grooming, surgery: Ongare Success Shop; Humble Beginnings Salon and Beauty Shop; Bongo Vibes Pub; Family Planning & Circumcision. It is a lot to take in.

Ali Hewson had no direct experience of the poverty in Kenya either. In 1985, shortly after U2's career-making performance at Live Aid, she and her husband Bono went to Ethiopia. In 2005, she visited Lesotho, to check out the factories which Edun, her and Bono's ethical fashion company, had established in the southern African kingdom. I was with her on that trip. Lesotho, a small mountain state decimated by Aids and unemployment, was overwhelming too.

But Kenya is new to her. She is here to visit Made, a fair-trade jewellery and accessories company established in London in 2005 by Bristol-born Gerson Barnett and his Italian wife, the designer Cristina Cisilino. Made wanted to use African skills and African raw materials – many of them reclaimed and repurposed (glass from beer bottles, rubber from flip-flops) – to create hand-made products for western boutiques and chainstores. And to create jobs for African people.

In 2007, Cisilino and Barnett took their principles and, along with their son, moved to Nairobi. Now they employ 65 local people to make necklaces, earrings, bracelets and bags that are sold in Whistles, Topshop and John Lewis. They play to the strengths of their Kenyan craftspeople: the Luo tribe are adept at metalwork, the Masai know how to work beads. And they work with visiting collaborators, such as the Dutch jewellery designer Natalie Dissel and Livia Firth, the wife of Colin Firth and co-owner of Eco boutique in London, using locally sourced and recycled raw materials.

Hewson wants to see how Made does things: how it runs as a business, how it turns the profits back to the local people; in 2008, Cisilino and Barnett founded a non-profit organisation, Made Africa, to promote and support educational and training projects. It sponsors Bidii school.

"They're very forward-thinking," Hewson says approvingly after a morning touring Made's airy, light-filled workshops a 10-minute drive from Karen, the Nairobi suburb named after Karen Out Of Africa Blixen, on whose former farmland the western outskirts of the Kenyan capital are situated. "They have developed new ways of designing and putting jewellery together. We can really work with that."

Hewson is impressed with "how they make everything here on the ground, from the bone beads to casting their own little parts for necklaces and bags. That's very exciting – we can send our creative director here and she can work with them."

Hewson is also in Africa to kick-start the relaunch, five years after its inception, of Edun. Despite the deep pockets which she, Bono and his brother Norman Hewson used to launch the company; despite the input of the well-regarded New York designer Rogan Gregory; despite the clout of the world's biggest rock star, it wasn't enough to make Edun the trailblazing profitable, ethical, desirable fashion brand Hewson wanted it to be. In 2007, the three shareholders had to pour money into the company, and in 2008, Edun parted company with Gregory. The company slipped off the fashion radar.

Then, last year, the luxury-goods conglomerate Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy (LVMH) bought a 49 per cent stake in Edun. A new creative director was hired: the Paris-based, Northern Irish designer Sharon Wauchob. And a new chief executive was appointed: Janice Sullivan, a no-nonsense fashion pro with stints at Calvin Klein and Donna Karan on her CV, came in to oversee Edun's New York headquarters.

Now it's all systems go again. Earlier this year, Edun, via Made, gave the pupils at Bidii box of crayons and asked them to draw pictures that could feature on a range of T-shirts. In the schoolroom, Hewson meets Fidel, four, who drew flowers and trees, and Kelvin, six, who drew footballers. They are two of the designs Edun has used on the T-shirts, part of a capsule collection showcasing the new, improved, better-funded, better-marketed Edun. They'll be in select shops – including Liberty in London and Brown Thomas in Dublin – next month, in time for the start of the World Cup in South Africa.

"If you were to ask any fashionista, she'd say, 'World Cup what?'" admits Sullivan, but, insists Hewson, "It's an opportunity." Edun's first full collection under the new regime, for spring/summer 2011, won't be unveiled until New York fashion week in September. But, given that news of the LVMH deal was announced last May, "we wanted not to go dark" in the interim. Hence the capsule collection, a kind of taster.

"It's an incredible thing that Africa is being trusted with the World Cup," says Hewson. "We wanted to be part of that celebration, and to celebrate the relationship with LVMH."

Which is nice. But not as nice as the $32,000 that the wholesale sales of the T-shirts – 100 per cent of the profits – have sent back to Bidii. "Maybe," says Hewson, "that will build their toilet and secure their garden so they have somewhere to play."

Edun has come a long way since its beginnings. In early 2005, I met Hewson, now 49, and Bono, now 50, who she started dating at school in Dublin 35 years ago. We spent an afternoon on the Luggala estate, 5,000 acres of County Wicklow wilderness owned by a member of the Guinness family. It was a short drive from the couple's home outside Dublin. They were launching Edun with a photoshoot for Vogue. Edun was Hewson's initiative, but Bono (no surprise) was doing the talking. '

"Having been involved in political processes," he told me, "you start to realise that revolution isn't going to happen with a big gang of people storming the Bastille any more. Change comes in tiny steps before it makes a big jump. And those tiny steps are people deciding where they spend their money. Shopping is becoming a political act. People are seeing that with their dollar or their pound, they can change a lot. They can close down giant petroleum companies by not putting their petrol in their tank. They can close down food companies – McDonald's is on its knees because people basically felt maybe they don't believe in what it stands for any more."

The fast-food giant wasn't really on its knees, but you could see what he was getting at. As well as Edun-branded items aimed at the purses of fashion-forward women in New York, Paris and London, there would be Edun Live, a diffusion line making African-sourced T-shirts. These bulk items would target the concert-merchandise business; U2 (of course) and Coldplay were lined up as early customers.

"We're just trying to do the right thing, and effect some change, without throwing a few bricks through a few windows," added Hewson. For all her previous campaigning experience – against the radioactivity that drifted across the Irish Sea from Sellafield, in support of the Belarus children poisoned by Chernobyl – and certainly compared with her rabble-rousing hubbie, the mother-of-four was a quiet, and quietly stylish, presence. She said that she didn't want her four children wearing clothes "that they don't know where they came from. We're offering a choice: these clothes are made with respect for the people who made them."

So Edun would be sourcing organic cotton in Peru, making denim in Tunisia, and machining clothes in Lesotho. Hence my trip with Hewson to the latter country a couple of months later. The Clothing Zone factory in the small border town of Butha-Buthe was housed in a former brewery. It employed dozens of local women on a fair wage in a well-ventilated environment. It was no sweatshop. At the town's Qalo high school, $10 from every Edun Live T-shirt sold would help build a water well. Butha-Buthe and Clothing Zone were a model for how Edun, on a macro level, might start changing the way the fashion industry operates.

Except it didn't work out that way. Sometime after a subsequent visit Hewson and Bono made to Butha-Buthe in May 2006, Clothing Zone closed. Why?

"There was some..." begins Hewson as we sit down to talk in her quiet Nairobi hotel at the end of a hectic day. She sips herbal tea throughout our interview and juggles phone calls from one (or more) of her children. "We were the only people in there giving orders in the end. And it was slowly being wound down." She believes that the South African owner, for motives she professes not to know, "was basically not paying attention to it". There were further factory problems at another site in Lesotho, in Uganda and in Madagascar.

Hewson also concedes that the Edun "mission" overshadowed the product. What does that mean? "We had a very pure idea that we wanted to work in Africa. So we brought our designers here [to Africa] and said, 'This is what you have to work with – they can do that stitch, they can use this material, and you can't have that button because we can't get it from here to there in time...' So we really limited the designers."

Edun hadn't quite reverted to the outmoded cliché of overly worthy, ethically groovy clothes – dungarees woven from hemp, hairshirts made of guilt – but "we just didn't pay enough attention to the aesthetic. It's important that we have beautiful clothes, and the mission part is secondary to that."

The net result was that in late 2007, it was reported that Edun had $3.6m in outstanding bank loans while the three shareholders were owed $7.9m. Not an issue, insists Hewson, and not just because she and Bono can well afford it. (U2's 360° tour was the highest-grossing tour in the world last year, taking $311m from 44 concerts; they'll have more than doubled that by the tour's end this coming October – should Bono's back get better, that is.) Edun is a "very strong business, a very ambitious business", she says. "The first five years of the company is about putting money in and building the trade. So of course we had to support it. We're still here supporting it now, because we believe in it. But yeah," she says in the smiley, even way she says everything, "it hasn't made money – it hasn't made a profit yet. But it's growing. It's growing."

It's growing with the help of LVMH, the luxury-goods house responsible for, its titular brands aside, Krug Champagne, Glenmorangie whisky, TAG Heuer watches, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs, Dior and several other top-flight fashion labels. Ali Hewson and Bono first met LVMH's all-powerful chief executive Bernard Arnault in mid-2007. The Paris-based fashion mogul came "with other friends of ours" to "our house" for lunch – probably the Hewsons' villa in the south of France, where the family spend time every summer. "He understood that there's a coming demand for ethically responsible clothing. So he was very interested in what we were doing, and wanted to know more. We met a couple of times after that, and it just took a while to sign the papers."

Over two years, in fact. But Hewson knew it was worth the long haul. "We knew we needed LVMH's muscle, its business know-how. Because what we were trying to do was really too pioneering. We weren't able to produce or deliver on time."

Did they really need its cash as well?

"Absolutely," Hewson fires back. Edun had to "reinforce" its staff, shake up its organisation, step up its game. Now it has an operation in China – a global manufacturing powerhouse, but one known for its questionable labour practices. So has Edun sold out its ethical principles? No, she insists. The "single biggest negotiation" between Hewson and Bono's lawyer and LVMH's legal team was over a compliance manual: a set of rules codifying certain standards that must be upheld by Edun: "The ability to come and go within the facility [ie: no locked doors], you can't take workers' passports..."

The Edun team was convinced that LVMH would follow through on the smaller company's founding principles. "And we always felt that they are honourable people – and the company is, completely. It's run in such a tight, ethical way. It's been an amazing company to be part of. Really supportive."

So Edun has come a long way. And so, since the weekend, has Hewson. She started off on a family holiday in "the Caribbean" – pressed, she concedes it was the millionaires' playground St Barts (she knew how that would sound) – then flew to New York, where the family has been living in an Upper West Side apartment since last September. There, she rendezvoused with Janice Sullivan and they flew together to London, before catching a connection to Nairobi.

Manhattan is a useful base for the family. Hewson and Bono's eldest children, daughters Jordan, 21, and Eve, 18, are studying at Columbia and NYU; U2's touring schedule made the east coast of America a good hub; and Hewson has been able to keep in close contact with the Edun base in the funky Tribeca neighbourhood, monitoring the post-LVMH overhaul. "I've been seeing how the operation was being upgraded on a daily, weekly basis. It's been amazing to see how far it has come in six months. I couldn't have done that if I was in Dublin, as I'd have to keep going backwards and forwards."

Not everyone is happy with the arrangement. Mum might be enjoying the daily walks across Central Park with her sons to their "really rigorous" Jewish school on the Upper East Side. But Elijah, 10, and John, nine, are missing their friends. They want to go home to Ireland, "fast". Unfortunately for them, the next leg of U2's tour is due to start in the US (and a planned trip back for Glastonbury is off thanks to their dad's bad back).

Bono, agit-rocker extraordinaire, is well used to the snarky comments of those turned off by his grandstanding. "He's always been sanguine about it," says Hewson. "He's always known, if you wanna get anything done you've got to stand in the firing line sometimes. He doesn't do it for the warm fuzzy feelings. He does it to actually bring some change about, and highlight issues that were being pushed under the carpet. And he does it very effectively. But," she adds, they both understand public fatigue at celebrity charity agitators. "Bono will say to you, 'I'm sick of Bono, and I am Bono.'"

Five years ago, Hewson told me she was uncomfortable with being a spokeswoman for Edun; with using her celebrity currency, such as it was. How does she feel now? "I suppose I'm more comfortable with it," she replies slowly, not sounding that comfortable. "But I still just want the clothes to stand for themselves." She wants to make a statement with fashion, but not in the way one might expect from the stereotype of a Rock Star Wife. "I've always wanted this company to be about the clothes and what it's doing. And not really about me. I much prefer to be in the background on everything."

Yet she is savvy enough to know that's impossible. From a PR point of view, she is one of Edun's greatest assets. But she'll keep putting her boots on the ground, inspecting the supply chain: after Kenya, she's off to a remote corner of Uganda to oversee an Edun fashion shoot, and to meet with representatives of a cotton farmers' collective that the label is supporting. Her and Bono's founding vision to help Africa help itself – business not charity, trade not aid, the fishing rod not the fish – drives her on. And then, as soon as possible, she'll be on a plane back to her kids in New York.

So, in five years, what has Ali Hewson learnt about fashion? "How tough it is!' she laughs. "I had no idea. It's a business you have to be passionate about. Or you just won't be able to stick it."

The stakes are high. If Edun doesn't work this time, Ali Hewson and Bono will have lost a few million from their huge fortune. But people in Kenya and Uganda will have lost a lot more. "They don't have an income. That's what's heartbreaking about factories that we've worked with closing. Hopefully, as Edun continues to grow, we can rectify some of that. Because it's people's lives. It's people's lives," Hewson repeats. "You see it in those kids today in that school. Made is doing an incredible thing supporting that school. Those are the things that do change people's lives forever."

To see and buy the Edun range, visit edunonline.com

independent

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Kids told U2 can set fashion trend
By Patricia McDonagh

Saturday May 29 2010

POP legend Bono and his wife Ali Hewson are gearing up to take the shops by storm this Christmas -- with a limited edition T-shirt depicting a child's vision of Dublin.

The U2 frontman and Ms Hewson are teaming up with Brown Thomas to launch the T-shirt, which will be exclusive to the store's adult fashion range, in November.

Brown Thomas launched a competition yesterday in a bid to find the winning picture that will eventually be placed on the garment.

They have asked 34 children, aged five and six years and in Junior and Senior Infants at St Edna's National School, in Whitefriar Street, in Dublin, to draw pictures inspired by their local community.

These resulting masterpieces will be showcased in an exhibition on Level 2 in Brown Thomas, Dublin, until Monday, June 14.

Customers will have a chance to vote for their favourite and the winning design will be styled by EDUN into a T-shirt and sold at Brown Thomas.

The fashion label, which was launched in 2005 by Ali and Bono, was founded on the premise that trade for aid is a way to create jobs and alleviate poverty. All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go to St Enda's National School.

- Patricia McDonagh

Irish Independent

independent

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Vote For Your Favourite

EDUN, the ethical fashion company founded by Ali Hewson and her husband Bono, is a socially conscious fashion brand whose mission is to help build trade with Africa by supporting community-based projects.

EDUN’s pre fall womenswear collection is launching exclusively at Brown Thomas.

Students aged 4 & 5 of St. Enda’s National School, Dublin 8 have been invited to design their own t-shirts, taking inspiration from what they love about where they live.

All 34 designs will be displayed in Brown Thomas Dublin, Level 2 and we are asking you to come instore and vote for your favourite design.

The winner will be announced on June 14th. T design will then be taken by Edun’s creative team and stylised to create an adult T-Shirt that will be sold in Brown Thomas in November.

All proceeds from the Limited Edition T-Shirt will go directly to St Enda’s with a small percentage to the Bidii School.

brownthomas.com

2010-05-26T22:37:00.001+01:00

Bono discharged from hospital & expected to make full recovery
25 May 2010

U2 have however been forced to cancel their Glastonbury headliner & postpone 16 US dates.

The U2 camp have confirmed that Bono has been discharged from hospital in Munich where he underwent emergency surgery last week following a back injury.

In order to fully recover, he’ll have to undergo eight weeks of recuperation, which has forced the band to postpone 16 U2360° Tour dates in America.

“Bono suffered severe compression of the sciatic nerve,” says the attendant physician Dr. Muller Wohlfahrt who also looks after the Bayern Munich football team. “On review of his MRI scan, I realised there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich’s LMU University Hospital on Friday.

“We’re treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes and while the surgery has gone very well, the coming weeks are crucial for a return to full health. In the next days, he will start a light rehabilitation programme, with increasing intensity over the next eight weeks. In our experience, this is the minimum time.”

Revealing the severity of the injury, Professor Tonn says: “Bono was referred to me by Dr. Muller Wohlfahrt late last week with a sudden onset disease. He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis in the lower leg. The ligament surrounding the disc had an eight mm tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had traveled into the spinal canal. This surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation.”

As for those postponed dates, manager Paul McGuinness rues that: "Our biggest and I believe best tour has been interrupted and we’re all devastated. For a performer who lives to be on stage, this is more than a blow. He feels robbed of the chance to do what he does best and feels like he has badly let down the band and their audience. Which is of course nonsense. His concerns about more than a million ticket buyers whose plans have been turned upside down, we all share, but the most important thing right now is that Bono make a full recovery. We’re working as fast as we can with Live Nation to reschedule these dates.”

Bono’s injury also means that U2 will have to cancel their Friday night headliner at Glastonbury on June 25. The singer called Michael Eavis personally to break the news.

“It was obvious from our conversation that U2 are hugely disappointed,” the Glasto boss proffers. “Clearly, they were looking forward to playing the Pyramid Stage as much as we were looking forward to watching them. At this point, we have no comment to make about possible replacements for U2's Friday night slot. Instead, we would simply like to send Bono our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.”

hotpress