My Buddies Live Blog

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Bono met in the politician’s Black Sea resort last week to talk about music and charity. The President, who happens to be a huge rock and roll fan, said “You are doing important things, because taking care of people is not only a job for politicians.” They also discussed problems in Africa, specifically the desperate measures being taken to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS and bringing the population out of poverty. Bono wasn’t shy in suggesting things and told the President that spending 40 cents per day could eliminate the transfer of HIV from mother to child by 2015. Medvedev obviously has a lot of respect for the singer as he said “The charity work that you and your colleagues do has brought you respect all over the world.” U2 will be playing a concert in Russia as part of their tour.

Bono, U2

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According to the online publication 24/7 Wall Street, Bono’s investment into a company called Elevation Partners has earned the lead singer of rock band U2 the title of “worst investor in America”. The private American equity firm has failed disastrously in many of its efforts, including attempting to regain mobile phone market shares from Apple, RIM and other smart phone makers. Their stock has plummeted since last September and has been given the label of “arguably the worst run institutional fund of any size in the United States.” Bono should probably just stick to philanthropy and music. That definitely suits him better.

Bono, U2

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Well, it looks like Bono certainly has gotten over the days of frozen TV dinners and whatnot. While eating out recently, the U2 front man apparently asked for the food to be prepared in a special way for him. This is what a source related about Bono’s dinning requests: “He demanded that his salad be chopped. And he made sure it was when it arrived. He wanted Perrier, which they didn’t have, so a waiter actually ran across the street to a store and bought him a bottle.” Next thing you know Bono will be wanting his birds and other animals skewered on silver spikes. It would be cool to see him skewering them himself, though. The true nature of Bono revealed!

Bono, U2

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It seems the famous U2 front man feels that he is making far too much money than he deserves… this is why he gives away so much of it. This is what Bono said on the matter: “These guys are very wealthy. I am very well paid, overpaid and even over-rewarded for what I do. But a lot of these soccer guys are giving something back and they don’t need to do that.” Well, it looks like Bono sure knows what he’s doing. You have to notice the “no, no, let me do it all” idea from his words. Bono is sure bent on saving everybody, isn’t he?

Bono, U2

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The front man of U2 recently confessed the fear he has of his wife, Ali Hewson, becoming independent. Bono said: “Our relationship has changed a lot. For a while I thought I was in charge, I was the hunter-protector. A few years ago it became clear somebody else was in charge, and I feel I hold on a lot tighter to her than she does to me, and that slightly bothers me. She’s so independent and sometimes I wish she wasn’t.” Yeah, it’s times like this that Bono should probably consider giving up the showbiz bit and just settling down and getting away from it all… before it’s too late!

Bono, U2

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U2 star Bono has admitted he got lost in Number 10 Downing Street while visiting former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Bono, 49, was drinking wine with the former PM when he lost his way, he has revealed.

He said: “We had a lovely evening.”

He added: “It was almost midnight when he had an urgent call to make and asked if I would let myself out.

“I might have had one glass of wine more than him and ended up getting lost.”

He added: “Here I was in the corridors of No.10 with pictures of everyone including Lloyd George looking down at me.

“I eventually ended up in the basement and was approached by a bobby who asked me if I was lost.”

Source: Splash News

Bono, U2

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That is what the famous philanthropist’s band mates seem to think about him. Adam Calyton, U2’s bassist, had this to say about Bono: “When Bono’s back in the band, he’s not a messiah, he’s just a naughty boy! But it has been fascinating to see his persuasion grow. At any table, he tends to be the most interesting person there. There’s great wisdom and knowledge to be gained from Bono.” Yeah, Bono is apparently a sip away from perfection, seeing as how he can be a raunchy rocker boy and messianic figure, all bottled up in a neat little Irish package. Soon Bono will probably lead us to prosperity and to conquer new universes and expand our knowledge of all that is existence! Hail Bono!

Bono, U2

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The really crappy state that the worldwide economy is in has claimed yet another victim. Bono and his pals from U2 have been forced to scrap their plans to build Ireland’s first skyscraper because of the depressing state of the global markets. The U2 Tower was supposed to be built in the heart of Dublin to house a variety of luxury apartments as well as the group’s recording studio. The project was estimated to cost around $256.8 million. The band is reportedly set on suspending the plans indefinitely. That was a good move. Even if they had the money to get it built, there’s no telling if anyone has the money to pay for a luxury apartment.

Bono, U2

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U2 front man Bono has had his say on the current state of the music industry, in a sternly worded letter.

In a letter to NME, Bono said: “While there is no doubt that it’s extremely difficult for a new artist to get the kind of investment on which U2 depended in the first few wobbly years of recording, we disagree with Paul’s assessment of Radiohead’s release as having backfired to a certain extent. We think they were courageous and imaginative in trying to figure out some new relationship with their audience. Such imagination and courage are in short supply right now. They’re a sacred talent and we feel blessed to be around at the same time.”

He is of course referring to manager Paul McGuinness’ recent comments that Radiohead’s honor system backfired.

Bono also subtly took a swipe at ISP’s for not doing enough to curb illegal downloading, saying “We agree that it is disturbing to see internet service providers and technology companies profit from the so-called ‘disintermediation’ of the music business when so many music lovers are losing their jobs.”

So there you have it, some more food for thought (although let’s face it, no real answers) on the rocky future of the music industry.

Bono, Music, Radiohead, U2

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Sotheby’s in New York was the location of Bono’s charity auction on Thursday night, and it was a RED Valentine’s Day. At the end of the event, they had raised over $42 million.

Bono and artist Damien Hirst sold more than 60 pieces of art to raise money for Bono’s charity which was orgainized to support HIV/AIDS relief programs in Africa. Celebrities in attendance included Christy Turlington, Brian William, and Michael Stipe from R.E.M.

Bono commented, “I see myself as a servant of Africa. Tonight is about the awareness of AIDS and the medical treatment that can strongly aid in the demise of this disease.”

Bono, Concert Tour, Performance, Rocker, U2

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250 fans attending a charity concert in London were surprised as U2 members Bono and The Edge gave an unannounced performance.

The stars showed up unplanned and performed as a warmup act at the fundraiser. The concert was hosted by Mencap, a charity that seeks equal rights for children and adults with learning disabilities.

Bono laughingly warned fans not to tell the other two U2 band members about the impromptu concert. “Don’t tell Larry (Mullen) and Adam (Clayton) we’ve done this.”

Bono and The Edge, serving as an opening act for Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro, played four songs – “Stay”, “Desire”, “Angel of Harlem”, and “Wave of Sorry”. They lit up the small stage at Union Chapel in London.

Fans were shocked when the stars appeared onstage and were thrilled to be able to see them. One fan stated,”I’ve used all the battery on my phone taking pictures of them.”

Next time, U2 should call ahead so ticket prices can be doubled!

Bono, Concert Tour, Music, Music Artists, Music Band, Music Reviews, Performance, Singers, Song, U2

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Accepting the Liberty Medal for his humanitarian work in Africa, Bono exhorted Americans to keep working to solve the world’s problems and spoke of those who are without freedom.

“When you are trapped by poverty, you are not free. When trade laws prevent you from selling the food you grew, you are not free,” the Irish rocker and activist said Thursday night as he stood steps away from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell.

“When you are a monk in Burma this very week, barred from entering a temple because of your gospel of peace … well, then none of us are truly free,” he said.

Bono and the organization he co-founded, Debt AIDS Trade Africa, received the award from former Liberty Medal recipient President George H.W. Bush at the National Constitution Center.

The award comes with a $100,000 prize, which Bono said will be donated to the organization. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria who sits on the group’s policy advisory board, accepted the award for the Washington-based group.

Bono, front man for the band U2, co-founded DATA in 2002 to work with religious groups on global disease and hunger issues.

In 2005, U2 was a headliner for the Live 8 concerts held to raise awareness about African poverty and pressure world leaders to cancel debt for the poorest African nations.

Calling America “my country,” Bono said he’s a fan of the United States despite its problems because of its contributions to the world.

“Your America is where Neil Armstrong takes a walk on the moon,” Bono said. “Your America gave Europe the Marshall Plan. Your America gave the world the Peace Corps.

The medal was first awarded in 1989, and six recipients have subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Award, Bono, Music Artists, Music Band, News, Performance, Politics, U2

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