May 2010 Archives

By Claire Prentice, Scotsman.com

IT'S NO fun growing old when you are a rock god. It's a young man's game jumping from platforms, punching the air, and belting out your songs of rebellion and hope.

Until this week, Bono seemed to be holding back the years pretty well. The lead singer of U2 and global ambassador for good causes has kept his weight in check and the wrinkles at bay, even if his hair does look suspiciously black.

But last week, the 50-year-old global superstar was rushed into hospital in Munich for emergency spinal surgery, after suffering severe compression of the sciatic nerve while preparing for the next leg of U2's tour. Hospital spokesman Dr Muller Wohlfahrt said Bono's prospects for a full recovery were "excellent".

Though the prognosis is good, it's too late to save the tour. Sixteen US dates have been cancelled, and Damon Albarn's band Gorillaz have stepped in to replace U2, who were scheduled to headline at Glastonbury. Bono, who must recuperate for two months, said he was "heartbroken".

Huge sums of money, plus bragging rights as the most popular live act of all time, rest on the speed of a certain 50-year-old's recovery, writes BRIAN BOYD

Irish Times

NOW THAT U2'S North American tour has been postponed because of Bono's back surgery, it's time for all involved to start totting up the cost. "U2's daily tour overhead spend is $750,000 [€950,000]," says an Irish music-tour insider. "Bono's back has put them out of action for two months. They're insured for show postponement, but that's not the full story. The set-up costs of the three Claws they use was phenomenal. They don't need this, their insurance company doesn't need this and the global touring economy doesn't need this. It's not just the show day; it's the three of four days before setting up the stadium, one day stripping it down after, the 200 trucks, the drivers, the security, the merchandising people, the drinks and food people, the programme sellers, costume, make-up and hundreds of other people. U2 would have over 100 permanent touring personnel and an extra 200-300 working personnel at each local venue. It's the hotels, the flights, the food vouchers. It's like a small country coming to a standstill."

Arthur Fogel, chief executive of U2's concert promoter, Live Nation, says of the 360º tour postponement: "There's no question this is monumental."

An American in Ireland, by The Yank, Irish Central

Bono might be returning home to recover after his back surgery, but rest might be harder to come by.

I have sympathy for Bono, suffering with his bad back. I'm sure if I was 20 or so my reaction to Bono's injury would be something along the lines of, "What's that old guy doing anyway, trying to behave like a young rock star. He's lucky he can still stand at the microphone." But, I'm in my mid 40s and can fully understand why Bono doesn't want to give up yet. Who wants to be old?

The media says Bono will do his recuperating in his home on Killiney Hill in south County Dublin. What better place? It's beautiful there. Tremendous views looking out over Killiney Bay from Bray to Dalkey and Dalkey Island {photo}, with its medieval church and 19th century Martello Tower.

But enforced rest could be boon to U2

By Steve Chagollan, Variety

The decision to postpone U2's U.S. concerts until next year because of Bono's back surgery not only has affected the bottom line for concert promoter Live Nation and the organizers of the Glastonbury Festival, where U2 was scheduled to headline in late June, but could make a significant dent in the 2010 concert business overall.

"When you have an act like U2 (touring), it greatly inflates the (year's) revenues," said Gary Bongiovanni, editor-in-chief of Pollstar.

The Irish rockers, whose shows have become huge in scale, were the top draw in the U.S. last year, accruing $123 million in gross receipts, according to Pollstar. They were the only act to top the $100 million mark (Springsteen finished at No. 2 with $94.5 million) despite playing only 20 dates. The shows also contributed to an overall 12% boost in concert revenue ($4.4 billion) over the previous year and a 14% hike in attendance (73 million).

The Sun

BONO feared spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair when he finally sought treatment for his dodgy back, his best mate and U2 bandmate THE EDGE revealed last night.

The singer suffered a slipped disc in Germany last week while dancing during a rehearsal for the next leg of the band's tour.

The Edge said: "Luckily he did realise, when he could no longer walk, that he needed to go to the doctor.

"Had he not done anything about it, it could have been serious and possibly permanent.

by John D. Luerssen, Spinner

U2's the Edge has issued a video update his band's plans for the rest of 2010 following Bono's emergency back surgery last Friday. Although the singer's injury and recovery has forced the postponement of the group's US tour until sometime next year -- not to mention its first-ever Glastonbury performance -- the band does intend to keep its European touring commitment for later this summer.

"I guess sometime in August we'll be doing a preproduction period somewhere in Europe to open the tour in Turin," Edge explained in a video from New York City, first posted on U2.com. The guitarist affirmed that the group's overseas trek will indeed get underway in Italy on Aug. 6 after Bono undergoes a lengthy rehabilitation for what Dr. Muller Woflfahrt diagnosed in a band statement as "severe compression of the sciatic nerve."

The Edge speaks about frontman's back troubles

NME

U2's The Edge has said that frontman Bono's recent back injury could have resulted in permanent damage if it had not been treated when it was.

On May 21 the singer underwent back surgery in Munich, canceling 16 US shows and their Glastonbury headline slot - with Gorillaz now stepping in to take their place on June 25.

Speaking in a video message on the band's website, U2.com, the guitarist said it was a good thing that his bandmate saw a doctor in time.

Los Angeles Times Blog

U2's front-man probably wasn't singing, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah," after the rehearsal that put him out of commission and caused the band to delay its upcoming tour.

The Irish rock superstars will postpone 16 dates on their upcoming American tour, which was scheduled to stop at Angel Stadium on June 6 & 7, and canceled its high-profile performance at the Glastonbury music festival. Their band's manager says Bono needs time to heal from a back injury.

After nearly a quarter-century together and close to a bajillion hit songs, there seems to be growing animosity toward the group. As we know from seeing Paul McCartney continue to tour, Bono, 50, might be over the hill, but he isn't too old to rock. He'll just have to deal with throwing out his back every now and again.

Kaya Burgess, Times Online

Irish rock group U2 cancelled their headline slot at the Glastonbury festival today to allow lead singer Bono to recover from surgery to an injured spine.

Bono said in a statement today that he was "heartbroken" to be pulling out of the festival next month, which U2 were due to headline on the Friday night.

He said: "I'm heartbroken. We really wanted to be there to do something really special - we even wrote a song especially for the Festival."

New date coming for Edmonton show at Commonwealth Stadium

By Journal Staff, edmontonjournal.com

EDMONTON -- U2's much-anticipated date at Commonwealth Stadium on June 23 has been postponed until 2011 because of Bono's back surgery.

Tour promoters Live Nation announced on U2's website this morning that the 16 U2360° shows from Salt Lake City on June 3, through to New Jersey's Meadowlands Stadium on July 19, will be rescheduled to 2011. The Edmonton concert on June 23 was the first Canadian stop on the tour and the first local visit by the Irish rockers in 13 years.

U2 tour producer/promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring, said "although we understand the disappointment to U2 fans, first and foremost comes the recovery of Bono."

New leg of the 360 Tour was set to kick off in Salt Lake City on June 3.

By Kelley L. Carter, MTV

U2 frontman Bono has undergone emergency back surgery at a hospital in Germany, a manager for the group said. Due to the hospitalization, the first date of their tour has been postponed.

The 50-year-old singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson, was injured while preparing for the group's tour. According to a statement on U2's website, Bono is being treated by neurosurgeon Dr. Joerg Tonn and Dr. Hans-Wilhelm Mueller-Wohlfahrt.

"Bono will spend the next few days there, before returning home to recuperate,'' the statement read. "Once his condition has been assessed further, a statement will be made regarding the impact on forthcoming tour dates.''

U2 Get On Your Boots Justice Remix Official Un-Official Video
best song on the album in MY OPINION

No. Title Lyrics Music Length
1. "Elevation" (Influx remix) Bono U2 4:04
2. "Fast Cars" (Jacknife Lee remix) Bono, The Edge U2 3:30
3. "Get on Your Boots" (Fish Out of Water mix) Bono U2 3:47
4. "Vertigo" (Trent Reznor remix) Bono, The Edge U2 3:39
5. "Magnificent" (Fred Falke Radio mix) Bono, The Edge U2, Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois 4:02
6. "I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight" (Live U2360 mix) Bono U2 6:47
7. "Beautiful Day" (David Holmes mix) Bono U2 5:37
8. "Staring at the Sun" (Monster Truck remix) Bono, The Edge U2 5:09
9. "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" (Danny Saber mix) John Lennon, Paul McCartney Lennon, McCartney, performed by U2 4:54
10. "Get on Your Boots" (Justice remix) Bono U2 3:29
11. "City of Blinding Lights" (Hot Chip 2006 remix) Bono U2 6:19
12. "If God Will Send His Angels" (Grand Jury mix) Bono, The Edge U2 5:46
13. "Staring at the Sun" (Brothers in Rhythm Ambient mix) Bono, The Edge U2 5:29
62:25

Bonus track (vinyl purchase)
No. Title Lyrics Music Length
14. "Unknown Caller" (Snow Patrol remix) U2, Eno, Lanois U2, Eno, Lanois 4:35
67:00
[edit]

Nancy Koehn, Washington Post

Today, Bono, the U2 singer, global activist and one of the most powerful leaders on the world stage, turns 50. At this important milestone, it is worth briefly taking stock of his journey thus far--a journey of purpose, impact, passion, and humor. It is a path with lessons for leaders from all walks of life.

Let's begin by considering all the roads Bono (who was born Paul David Hewson in Dublin) did NOT take as he has traveled these last five decades. He has never been the CEO of a major company. He has never held public office or scored a big campaign contribution. He did not graduate from an elite university. He did not make most of his considerable wealth in the global equity or debt markets.

Irish Times

As he turns 50 next week Bono has much to celebrate, not least achieving world domination as the frontman of U2. But are his lyrics worthy of celebration and will they be relevant in another 50 years, asks TONY CLAYTON-LEA

CONSUMERS OF pop music are fussy about lyrics; the examples of good and bad are far too numerous to list (this writer's favourite clunkers include "there were plants and birds and rocks and things" from America's Horse With No Name , and the geographically unsound "Coast to coast, LA to Chicago" from Sade's Smooth Operator ), but you can guarantee that one person's rounded gem of a lyric is another person's dog-eared phrase.

For more than 30 years now, Bono's lyrics have been on the receiving end of brickbats and bouquets; his detractors might point you to the likes of: "Some days are slippy, other days are sloppy; some days you can't stand the sight of a puppy" ( Some Days Are Better Than Others ), while his fans might direct you towards this example from So Cruel: "You don't know if it's fear or desire/Danger the drug that takes you higher/Head of heaven, fingers in the mire/Her heart is racing you can't keep up/The night is bleeding like a cut/Between the horses of love and lust we are trampled underfoot."

L.E. Eisenmenger, Boston Pro Soccer Examiner

Seth Ader, the Senior Director of Sports Marketing at ESPN, spoke with me at length about the making of ESPN's campaign for 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. He is passionate about getting the importance of the World Cup across to American and international audiences and worked with U2 to create the message. Since 2005, Ader has been responsible for all ESPN soccer properties including European Championship, English Premier League, Spanish La Liga, Major League Soccer and USA Soccer, and also Major League Baseball, "This is Sports Center," and others. Prior to 2005, he was the director of marketing for the NBA and NFL, managed ESPN the Magazine, and launched ESPN Desportes and ESPN HD networks.

Ader oversees ESPN's World Cup promotions and production from concept to design, to creation, to presentation worldwide. His attention to detail within the big picture is amazing, his conviction in the importance of this work is strong. After successfully working with Bono and U2 for 2006 World Cup Germany, Ader approached them again and they agreed to partner in the 2010 message. U2 believe in the World Cup as much as ESPN believes in their music.

Read the full article here