News: November 2003 Archives

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November 30, 2003

Beyonce and Bono Leads AIDS Show

11.30.03 - BBC News

Beyonce Knowles and Bono were among global stars who performed at Nelson Mandela's South Africa gig to boost the fight against Aids.

The five-hour charity show, at the Greenpoint Stadium in Cape Town was broadcast on the web.

The duo sang American Prayer, accompanied on the guitar by U2's The Edge and Eurythmics' Dave Stewart.

The show, organised by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, also featured Eurythmics, The Corrs and Queen.

Bono said his song with Beyonce was about asking "churches to open their doors, to give sanctuary that breaks the stigma that goes with being HIV positive".

He added: "If God loves you, what's the problem?"

He then brought former South African President Mr Mandela onto the stage, prompting the biggest cheer of the evening.

Mr Mandela, 85, who watched the show alongside his wife Graca Machel and US TV presenter Oprah Winfrey, has said Aids is a bigger challenge than apartheid.

In South Africa there are more people living with HIV/Aids than anywhere else in the world, and globally the number of those infected is now more than 42 million.

"Aids is no longer just a disease. It is a human rights issue," said Mr Mandela.

"46664 was my prison number for the 18 years that I was imprisoned on Robben Island. I was supposed to be reduced to that number."

He added that "millions of people infected with HIV and Aids are in danger of being reduced to mere numbers unless we act. They too are serving a prison sentence for life so I have allowed my prison number to help drive this campaign".

Thousands of music fans lined the stage for the outdoor show, which featured a huge sculpture of Mr Mandela's head.

Bob Geldof, who was knighted for his work to overcome famine in Africa with the Live Aid show in the 80s, also sang and spoke to the crowds.

"Aids has ceased to be something to be ashamed of - it's just another medical condition, but if the condition is medical the solution is political. And that's what we're here to reinforce today," he said.

The overall aim for the show was to make it the most widely distributed and broadcast programme on HIV/Aids ever, reaching a global TV, radio and online audience of about two billion.

It could be viewed for free on the campaign's website at www.46664.com and each song performed is downloadable online for 69p.

Peter Gabriel sang his song, Biko, with the Soweto Gospel Choir, saying he was delighted he now had the "chance to sing it in this country".

Steve Biko, a leader of the black consciousness movement in South Africa, died of major head injuries in South African police custody on 12 September 1977.

And British R&B star Ms Dynamite threw condoms into the crowd in between songs, and sang: "Don't throw your life away."

The concert also featured recorded messages from well-known faces including former US President Bill Clinton, Robert De Niro, Sir Ian McKellen and Annie Lennox.

And crowds heard a song requested by Mr Mandela, who asked Dave Stewart of Eurythmics and the late Joe Strummer to write a song including 46664 in its lyrics for the show.

Another song which had its debut was a track by Queen, called Invincible Hope, which features samples of Mr Mandela's voice, prompting the band members to joke that he had become a rap artist.

46664: BEHIND THE SCENES

*Global net service providers and music portals worked with net company Tiscali to show the gig free *Streamed live in 14 European countries and South Africa *Other major net service providers and broadcasters like BBCi, Real Networks and MTV Online also streamed it *Cash is raised through donations, tracks downloaded and sales of a DVD and CD of the gig *Tracks can ordered by telephone around the world *Stewart finished the song, Long Walk to Freedom, with Bono earlier this year and they performed it for the crowds, paying tribute to Strummer, who died last December.

Posted by Jonathan at 03:24 AM | Comments (0)

November 24, 2003

Bono: Hes a Sell-out at Christies

11.24.03 - Fashion Wire Daily

Godfrey Deeny

You too can be painter Bono, and judging from the proceeds at Fridays auction of your art a pretty successful one at that.

A series of 16 paintings by U2's singer, aided by his two young daughters, Jordan and Eve, raised $368,000 in Christies New York Friday at a benefit for the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Hello my name is Bono and I am a Rock Star, said Bono with a mock smirk as he addressed the packed auction room, before going on to praise the angels at the Irish Hospice for the care they showed his late father. Bonos father Bob Hewson died in August 2001 after a long fight with cancer.

The Bono family artwork are illustrations for a modern interpretation of the Prokofiev orchestral classic "Peter and the Wolf," whose score has been updated by film soundtrack producer -- and Bono's childhood friend -- Gavin Friday ("Moulin Rouge," "Romeo & Juliet").

Two portraits of his father carrying his Cleveland golf clubs each went for $15,000, while a study of the wolfs head was acquired by for $20,000 by U2 manager Paul McGuinness. The top price at the auction, however, was $60,000 paid for a self-portrait of Bono as a kid entitled Baked Bean Boy, acquired after some heated bidding by Doug Morris, CEO of Universal Music Group.

I asked my girls Jordan and Eve to help me with detail and a filigree of flowers. I painted myself in a corner as Peter. My Da we made the grandfather, as he was to Jordan and Eve, my two daughters who loved and were loved by him. The Wolf was ambition for things just out of reach, Bono said in his speech.

At times, the auction became a zany after. When auctioneer Bernard Willams called Bono the Basquiat of the future, Friday joined him at the rostrum and promised to put his tongue in the ear of whoever paid $30,000 for one of the paintings, mixed media on paper, as large as 5 foot by 10 foot.

Hospice director Marie Donnelly revealed to FWD that the Hospice expects to raise a further million dollars from the sale of a limited edition of 200 box sets costing $5,000 each containing fine reproductions of the paintings. A book and CD are also available on peterwolf.org, with all proceeds benefiting the Irish Hospice.

Bono mingled with Moby, Elvis Costello, Michael Stipe and Matthew Barney super-beauty Aimee Mullins at the post-show cocktail, before heading to dinner in Mario Battalis Otto and making the late night scene at PM.

Posted by Jonathan at 03:21 AM | Comments (0)

November 15, 2003

Rambling talk by U2 star Bono endorses Martin, Canada in helping third world

11.15.03 - Canadian Press

TORONTO (CP) - Rock star Bono endorsed the Liberal government's efforts to help the third world during a long, rambling speech in support of the next prime minister, Paul Martin.

Bono, of the Irish super group U2, said he agreed to speak because he's a fan of Canada and because Martin has delivered on previous promises to help Africa and other impoverished regions.

"I'm a fan of Canada," he said. "I believe the world needs more Canada."

Bono also joked that he felt a bit uncertain because he's not used to appearing in front of small crowds.

"You will have to forgive me if I'm a little shy - you know, I'm not used to speaking to crowds of less than 25,000," he said to laughter in the spellbound audience of about 10,000.

That was a reference to the relatively low leadership convention turnout, which amounts to a coronation for Martin.

Bono has previously met with both Martin and Prime Minister Jean Chretien to talk about the importance of eliminating third world debt.

"I might be the only thing they can agree on," he said, ribbing the two political rivals, who have been at odds for much of the last few years.

Bono was invited by the Martin camp, but he cautioned Martin may not be so fond of him in future as he continues to lobby for help to the third world.

"I'm going to be the biggest pain in his ass," he said. "A year from now he's going to regret tonight."

Posted by Jonathan at 03:19 AM | Comments (0)

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