Pittsburgh Steelers' Dan Rooney goes "Bono"
by Andy Sheehan
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, sources say U2 has decided to end their two-year world tour "360" in Pittsburgh.
The venue - Heinz Field on the North Shore.
Heinz Field had been trying to book U2 all along, but until recently the band had no plans of playing here, deciding to end its tour in Minneapolis on July 23, 2011.
But Pittsburgh had a powerful ally - U.S. Ambassador to Ireland and former Steelers chairman Dan Rooney.
Sources say it was Rooney's influence that convinced the band to add one more date to the tour and play right here in Pittsburgh.
Ambassador Rooney flew back from Ireland Wednesday for the Steelers opener, but through a spokesman declined to comment on U2 and the concert negotiations.
Dan Rooney is a fan of U2, has attended their concerts and sources say the band is coming to Pittsburgh at his behest after making a personal appeal to the band's management.
The band is now in the midst of their worldwide tour. Several concerts were pushed back in May when lead singer Bono underwent emergency back surgery, but the band recently returned to the stage.
Barring any last-minute snag, an official announcement on the Heinz Field show will be made in the next few weeks with tickets going on sale for a concert scheduled for July 26, 2011.
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