Stop being nasty to the rich, says U2's drummer - Rock star Mullen bashes the begrudgers and heaps praise on wealthy for their charity efforts - By BRENDAN O'CONNOR Exclusive
Sunday June 21 2009
U2 drummer Larry Mullen believes rich and successful people are being unnecessarily humiliated when coming in and out of Ireland, describing this as "part of a new resentment of rich people in this country".
"We have experienced [a situation] where coming in and out of the country at certain times is made more difficult than it should be -- not only for us, but for a lot of wealthy people," he said. "So it wasn't personal. It was to do with the better-off being sort of humiliated."
Mullen was speaking in Howth the day before the Sunday Independent exclusively joined U2 in Barcelona last week as they convened for final rehearsals for their world tour and to see for the first time the phenomenal 360-degree stage they have built.
Exclusive interviews with all four of U2 in this week's Living section
Their current album, No Line On The Horizon, has sold five million copies and is set to be their most successful ever, and most dates on the tour sold out in record time.
"You see guys and they're bringing a huge amount of money into this country and they do not deserve to be humiliated. Humiliate me, I can deal with it. I can kind of understand maybe a rock and roll band. Fine, OK, I can live with that. But when I heard and saw Dermot Desmond coming in with his family, what a thing to have done with him. He brought huge amounts of money into the country."
When asked if this nastiness had made him think of leaving his beloved Howth, Mullen said: "I certainly thought that if... if this is what they experience, how can I tell people, how can I fly the Irish flag and tell people 'come to Ireland because it's great'?
"And I just think it is so, so Paddy, it's like Paddywhackery, you know you're going to get the guy -- what is all that about? Because we are so beyond that."
Mullen also praised the entrepreneurial and developer classes for their charity work and for all they have done for the country.
"Love them or loathe them, all those rich wives, all those rich guys with all those balls, all those women that you see organising this and organising that, without them we'd be in a very, very different state than we are now.
"A lot of people who are well off in this country make huge contributions with their time and with their money."
He also expressed his sympathy for restaurateur, Town Bar and Grill owner Ronan Ryan, after the recent Liveline programme, saying he had heard it while he was in and out of the shower. "He got eaten alive," he said.
Speaking of restaurateur Jay Bourke's admission he would be forced to close Eden in Temple Bar unless the Government got real on rent, Mullen said: "It's my favourite restaurant. I love that restaurant. It's been consistent and I'll be broken-hearted if that goes down."
Other members of the band also expressed concern that this was becoming a difficult country for entrepreneurs.
Adam Clayton, whose sister has lost her job due to the downturn, thought we needed better governance and support for entrepreneurs, while Bono cautioned against Irish people becoming "sour".
"Melancholy and bile are not our greatest traits," said the singer.
- BRENDAN O'CONNOR Exclusive
source: independent
22.6.09
11.6.09
U2 to call South of France home during European tour
Published Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 10:45 AM
The family men that make up U2 will call their summer houses in the South of France their home base during the European leg of their U2360 Tour this summer.
Ireland’s Herald reports Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton are all planning to grab their families and head to their vacation homes on the Cote D’Azur before their tour kicks off in Barcelona on June 30.
From there, the Irish mega band will have a private jet stationed at Nice Airport to transport them to gigs in countries from Spain to the Netherlands, and back to Ireland.
Bono and The Edge have neighboring villas in Eze Sur Mer, while Larry and Adam own homes in nearby neighborhoods.
In fact, U2 has pretty much taken over the Cote D’Azur, with band manager Paul McGuinness buying a villa in the area in 2002 after The Edge was married there.
When asked by “60 Minutes” in 2006 why U2 chose the South of France to camp out in, Bono replied: “They are very tolerant of loud, Irish people here, as you can see. I like to keep a low profile.”
U2’s frontman has equated the privacy on the Cote D’Azur with that on Ireland. “Our thing in being in U2 is like how do you be, but not have to have all that bulls**t that goes with being famous, and so answer number 1? Live in Ireland. Okay, that helps.
“Answer number 2 — live in the south of France. Why live in France? Because the French are so snobbish. The French are so into themselves they don't even notice you,” he joked.
Larry Mullen has poked fun of the band for sticking so close together – even while on vacation.
“What kind of band goes on holidays to the same place?” he’s said.
But Mullen was able to answer his own question: “We are a tight family, with all the pluses and disadvantages of that.”
The highly anticipated U2360 tour will make its world debut on the 30th in Barcelona, where the monstrous stage, dubbed “The Claw,” is already constructed. The band’s rehearsals are set to begin soon.
source: irishcentral
Published Tuesday, June 9, 2009, 10:45 AM
The family men that make up U2 will call their summer houses in the South of France their home base during the European leg of their U2360 Tour this summer.
Ireland’s Herald reports Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr. and Adam Clayton are all planning to grab their families and head to their vacation homes on the Cote D’Azur before their tour kicks off in Barcelona on June 30.
From there, the Irish mega band will have a private jet stationed at Nice Airport to transport them to gigs in countries from Spain to the Netherlands, and back to Ireland.
Bono and The Edge have neighboring villas in Eze Sur Mer, while Larry and Adam own homes in nearby neighborhoods.
In fact, U2 has pretty much taken over the Cote D’Azur, with band manager Paul McGuinness buying a villa in the area in 2002 after The Edge was married there.
When asked by “60 Minutes” in 2006 why U2 chose the South of France to camp out in, Bono replied: “They are very tolerant of loud, Irish people here, as you can see. I like to keep a low profile.”
U2’s frontman has equated the privacy on the Cote D’Azur with that on Ireland. “Our thing in being in U2 is like how do you be, but not have to have all that bulls**t that goes with being famous, and so answer number 1? Live in Ireland. Okay, that helps.
“Answer number 2 — live in the south of France. Why live in France? Because the French are so snobbish. The French are so into themselves they don't even notice you,” he joked.
Larry Mullen has poked fun of the band for sticking so close together – even while on vacation.
“What kind of band goes on holidays to the same place?” he’s said.
But Mullen was able to answer his own question: “We are a tight family, with all the pluses and disadvantages of that.”
The highly anticipated U2360 tour will make its world debut on the 30th in Barcelona, where the monstrous stage, dubbed “The Claw,” is already constructed. The band’s rehearsals are set to begin soon.
source: irishcentral
Susan Boyle signs with U2’s Irish accountant
Irish finance king Ossie Kilkenny to manage the singing phenom's money
Sunday, June 7, 2009, 10:16 AM
"Britains Got Talent" star Susan Boyle
Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA
Susan Boyle is ready to focus on her singing career: Click here
Susan Boyle has joined forces with Ossie Kilkenny, who will look after her financial affairs as she prepares to take the world by storm.
The 62-year-old Irish accountant, who was instrumental in building U2's financial empire, has also worked with the likes of Van Morrison, Oasis Bjork and the Verve.
The two held a meeting - which was organized by Susan’s niece, London entertainment lawyer Kirsty Foy - in May when Kilkenny went to Boyle’s hometown of Blackburn to meet the singer and her family.
The 48-year-old singer, who came second in Britain’s Got Talent, now has the dream team of Simon Cowell to release her record and Kilkenny to manage her finances as she embarks on her singing career.
A source close to Syco records, Cowell’s label, told the Mirror newspaper that Boyle and Kilkenny met again on Friday.
“Susan wants to work with Simon, but she and her family have also chosen to bring in Ossie Kilkenny as manager. So the record will be with Simon’s label, but Ossie will look after her management.”
It is understood that Boyle, who checked out of the Priory Clinic where she was treated for exhaustion, returned home yesterday and will take part in the Britain’s Got Talent tour before going into the studio to make her first record.
irishcentral
Irish finance king Ossie Kilkenny to manage the singing phenom's money
Sunday, June 7, 2009, 10:16 AM
"Britains Got Talent" star Susan Boyle
Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA
Susan Boyle is ready to focus on her singing career: Click here
Susan Boyle has joined forces with Ossie Kilkenny, who will look after her financial affairs as she prepares to take the world by storm.
The 62-year-old Irish accountant, who was instrumental in building U2's financial empire, has also worked with the likes of Van Morrison, Oasis Bjork and the Verve.
The two held a meeting - which was organized by Susan’s niece, London entertainment lawyer Kirsty Foy - in May when Kilkenny went to Boyle’s hometown of Blackburn to meet the singer and her family.
The 48-year-old singer, who came second in Britain’s Got Talent, now has the dream team of Simon Cowell to release her record and Kilkenny to manage her finances as she embarks on her singing career.
A source close to Syco records, Cowell’s label, told the Mirror newspaper that Boyle and Kilkenny met again on Friday.
“Susan wants to work with Simon, but she and her family have also chosen to bring in Ossie Kilkenny as manager. So the record will be with Simon’s label, but Ossie will look after her management.”
It is understood that Boyle, who checked out of the Priory Clinic where she was treated for exhaustion, returned home yesterday and will take part in the Britain’s Got Talent tour before going into the studio to make her first record.
irishcentral
Bono voting - European elections
Bono arriving at his local polling station carrying his voting card and passport to vote in the Local and European elections. Dublin, Ireland - 06.04.09
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81119&id=36280349726>facebook
Bono arriving at his local polling station carrying his voting card and passport to vote in the Local and European elections. Dublin, Ireland - 06.04.09
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=81119&id=36280349726>facebook
Lead Singer of U2 and
Activist in the Fight Against AIDS and Poverty in Africa
Bono is the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, which has sold more than 140 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. A well-known activist in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, he co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002, The One Campaign in 2004, and Product (RED) in 2006, and was named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2005. Interviewed for the Summit in 2006, he challenged church leaders to mobilize against the ravages of global AIDS and poverty. Be a part of the continuing story, as Bono talks in an exclusive video about the church's inspiring response and about his continuing life journey as a "single issue protagonist."
source: willowcreek
Activist in the Fight Against AIDS and Poverty in Africa
Bono is the lead singer of Irish rock band U2, which has sold more than 140 million albums and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys. A well-known activist in the fight against AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, he co-founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) in 2002, The One Campaign in 2004, and Product (RED) in 2006, and was named TIME’s Person of the Year for 2005. Interviewed for the Summit in 2006, he challenged church leaders to mobilize against the ravages of global AIDS and poverty. Be a part of the continuing story, as Bono talks in an exclusive video about the church's inspiring response and about his continuing life journey as a "single issue protagonist."
source: willowcreek
u2 360 Tour Website goodness!
Hey all,
I was thumbing through a Rolling Stones magazine the other day, not sure which edition, possibly March, when I came across a piece of work I did for a contract job a couple of months back. I was contracted to help produce some 3D visuals for U2’s 360 Tour Official Website. It didn’t quite hit me how cool a project that was to work on til I saw it in RSM! Came out pretty good in the end.
Check it out!
source: joshmchugh
Hey all,
I was thumbing through a Rolling Stones magazine the other day, not sure which edition, possibly March, when I came across a piece of work I did for a contract job a couple of months back. I was contracted to help produce some 3D visuals for U2’s 360 Tour Official Website. It didn’t quite hit me how cool a project that was to work on til I saw it in RSM! Came out pretty good in the end.
Check it out!
source: joshmchugh
U2 vs PSBs
June 5, 2009
A reader writes:
I know you're not a big fan of rock music, but your hints at getting Chris Lowe to bite on a feud with Bono is interesting. From what I know from all of the history of the two groups, there is some mutual admiration going on.
U2 was in the middle of exploring electronic music in a big way when PSB's released their cover. In fact, U2 loved it so much that they re-worked "Streets" to have more of a club-vibe when they performed it on their 1997-1998 PopMart tour (which, by the way, was designed by the band's longtime--and openly gay--set designer who has designed all of their cutting edge sets from ZOOTV onward).
U2 has never been afraid to embrace their non-masculine arty side.
They filmed a video completely in drag, and not in an over-the-top, RuPaul kind of way ("One"). They've befriended artists like Keith Haring and David Wojnarowicz and incorporated their art into their shows and album art.
I think if you're able to leave your English disdain for open displays of passion aside next to your East-coast sense of cool, you'll actually enjoy much of Bono & Co's 90s output. Confusion and fear in a post-Iron Curtain Europe, spiritual longing in the face of material excess, and a belief that doubt is not the enemy of faith--coupled with some of grooviest bass lines and dance beats--make for 3 great albums.
I'm not getting into this. But that Frank Zappa "golden showers" song, referred to by Chris Lowe, is here.
source:andrewsullivanM
June 5, 2009
A reader writes:
I know you're not a big fan of rock music, but your hints at getting Chris Lowe to bite on a feud with Bono is interesting. From what I know from all of the history of the two groups, there is some mutual admiration going on.
U2 was in the middle of exploring electronic music in a big way when PSB's released their cover. In fact, U2 loved it so much that they re-worked "Streets" to have more of a club-vibe when they performed it on their 1997-1998 PopMart tour (which, by the way, was designed by the band's longtime--and openly gay--set designer who has designed all of their cutting edge sets from ZOOTV onward).
U2 has never been afraid to embrace their non-masculine arty side.
They filmed a video completely in drag, and not in an over-the-top, RuPaul kind of way ("One"). They've befriended artists like Keith Haring and David Wojnarowicz and incorporated their art into their shows and album art.
I think if you're able to leave your English disdain for open displays of passion aside next to your East-coast sense of cool, you'll actually enjoy much of Bono & Co's 90s output. Confusion and fear in a post-Iron Curtain Europe, spiritual longing in the face of material excess, and a belief that doubt is not the enemy of faith--coupled with some of grooviest bass lines and dance beats--make for 3 great albums.
I'm not getting into this. But that Frank Zappa "golden showers" song, referred to by Chris Lowe, is here.
source:andrewsullivanM
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