Some of you will be choking on your shredded wheat at the mere sound that's made with that name. Some of you will thump your tea cup down in disgust at such a wretched position to whom is, arguably, one of the best showmen in the business. Me, I'm disappointed but not really shocked. If U2 were a bit more metal and a little less political then Bono would probably would've been graced with a higher position.
I had heard vaguely of U2 when I was at school but when I left in '88 I ended up a YTS trainee for Wolsely Centres and ended up on an outward bound course in Wales with a load of midlanders. It was this bunch of guys that got me listening to Simple Minds, Deacon Blue and.... U2. Listening to the Joshua Tree properly for the first time was pretty amazing. Towards the end of 1988, whilst on another course in Ripon we set out to watch the U2 movie of Rattle and Hum. Mind...Blown! To a 16 nearly 17 year old me, this was borderline awesome. I always found the Edge stunning on guitar but Bono's presence as a front man, at that time, for me, couldn't be bettered. 3 of U2's albums have at one time easily made my top 5 albums. Joshua Tree, Rattle and Hum and Achtung Baby. I liked All That You Cant Leave behind too, but by this point Rock/metal had taken its grip.
But this is about the frontman. Bono is the glue that binds U2. He's not just the lead singer, he's the main man. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Alison Stewart, as well as schoolmates with whom he founded U2 in 1976. Bono soon established himself as a passionate frontman for the band through his expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures and songwriting. His lyrics are known for their social and political themes, and for their religious imagery inspired by his Christian beliefs.During U2's early years, Bono's lyrics contributed to the group's rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with the other members. As a member of U2, Bono has received 22 Grammy Awards and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Bono is well known for his activism for social justice causes, both through U2 and as an individual. He is particularly active in campaigning for Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red. In pursuit of these causes, he has participated in benefit concerts and met with influential politicians. Bono has been praised for his philanthropic efforts;he was granted an honorary knighthood by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom for "his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work", and has been made a Commandeur of the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters). In 2005, Bono was named one of the Time Persons of the Year.
Outside the band, he has recorded with numerous artists. He has collaborated with U2 bandmate the Edge on several projects, including: songs for Roy Orbison and Tina Turner; the soundtracks to the musical Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark and a London stage adaptation of A Clockwork Orange; and the refurbishment of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin. He is Managing Director and a Managing Partner of the private equity firm Elevation Partners, which has invested in several companies. He was also involved in the movie Million Dollar Hotel but that was particularly naff! Even co collaborator Mel Gibson thought so too!
Some people just dont like Bono. I get that. Some people dont like Bono because of his views and the way he expresses them through his music. I dont get that. There's no difference in Bono addressing a crowd about the apartheid or oppression whilst on stage to some of you putting a brexit meme or a Trump meme on your FB page other than his statement is gonna hit a wider audience than your meme! For me though, he is up there with the best. Some of U2s music is just simply stunning. To see this band live is still on my bucket list. Due to being on holiday or being ill on the day, I have missed seeing this band live. I've read how stunning they are live and how, even in a huge stadium they can still make the show feel intimate. I've seen videos of them live and they do look the real deal. To belt out Pride, or With Or Without You, or One, or Desire or many, many others along with Bono at a gig at the top of my crappy little singing voice at one of their gigs....absolutely!
If this entry isn't your cup tea, well shit happens. Theres gonna be worse in this list. Bono should have been a lot higher in my opinion, but that's all it is, an opinion!
Let's all see what this list brings us for dinner this afternoon while I put on Rattle and Hum to help me get on with getting the children to do the housework!
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