November 2008 Archives

Peninsula,

Rock star Bono has cancelled his visit to Doha next week.

The frontman of U2 and global activist has suddenly pulled out from attending the UN Conference on financing for Development held here this week.

He was also slated to be a guest on a special edition of the Doha Debates, part of the Qatar Foundation and broadcast on BBW World satellite channel.

A spokeswoman for the Doha Debates said Bono's representatives had said his withdrawal was due to "unforeseen circumstances" and was unable to elaborate.

On Wednesday Bono's charity ONE issued a statement confirming his arrival in Doha this weekend.

Elysa Gardner, USA Today

The new digital music service co-founded by Bono, which promises fans exclusive music by major artists in exchange for $5 a month to fight AIDS, will launch on the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day.

MSN will host Monday's kickoff event for (RED) Wire, an extension of the (RED) organization founded by the U2 frontman and Bobby Shriver to combat AIDS in Africa. New songs and videos from U2, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, Dixie Chicks, Jay-Z, John Legend and Sheryl Crow will be available at red.msn.com.

For Legend, signing on "was a no-brainer. (RED) has proven an effective vehicle. And the lineup of artists is exciting company." The singer recorded a new version of Bob Marley's Redemption Song, "which just felt right for this project and for the time that we're in."

Charlie Taylor

Van Morrison and U2 lead singer Bono have both been included in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, poll which is topped by Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

Belfast-born Morrison, who recently performed his landmark 1968 Astral Weeks album live for the first time, was ranked at no 24 in the poll ahead of superstars such as Michael Jackson and Nina Simone.

Rolling Stone said Morrison has left his mark on over 40 years' worth of rock, blues, folk, jazz and soul, as well as several genres that only really exist on his records.

It described him as a "master of unexpected phrasing whose voice can transform lyrics into something abstract and mystical", and noted his influence on singers such as Bob Seger and Bruce Springsteen.

Andrew Paine, Billboard

U2 was among the artists saluting Universal Music Group International chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge at the Music Industry Trust's Award ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel.

Universal-signed pop acts Mika and Take That performed at the ceremony tonight (Nov. 3), along with jazz-pop singer Jamie Cullum and indie-rock band Razorlight, which released its new album Slipway Fires (Vertigo/Mercury) today. Artists among the 1,200 guests included Girls Aloud, Sugababes, The Fratellis, The Feeling, Snow Patrol, members of ABBA, Ray Davies, Lulu and James Morrison.

The MIT award was presented to the Universal boss by all four members of U2. UMG chairman/CEO Doug Morris was also present.

Bono joked about U2's failure to release a new album this year, commenting that Grainge provides "cuddles" for the band "when we get stressed out and we haven't got the hits and we missed Christmas."