6/30/2007

JUNE 30: in Basel

"ZOOTV- Zooropa" tour - june 30, 1993 - Basel, Switzerland - Jakob's Stadion - Support is Velvet Underground.

6/29/2007

JUNE 29: parking area by the docks / "My Hometown" to Bob Hewson - Croake Park (the place where happened the Bloody Sunday in nov 21, 1920) / "Can´t Help Falling In Love" / "It's Not Unusual" / AMERICAN MORNING - Singer and activist Bono one year after the "Live 8" concert !

"War" tour - june 29, 1983. U2 perform in New York City, New York at Pier 84. The show is a large open-air show in a parking area by the docks. In the distance, is the USS Enterprise, an aircraft carrier of the US Navy. The sponsor is Miller Beer, which helps keep ticket prices low. A local TV crew filming the event for the news is dragged onto the stage by Bono, who exclaims, "Come here, film these people," and launches into a speech about this tour being the "War on Boring Music Tour". Bono points the cameras out into the crowd and says, "These people are here because they are sick to the teeth of what they're hearing on the radio and TV. They're here because they believe in rock & roll, like I do - not Wallpaper Music..." Support is "The Alarm". The tour grosses nearly $2 million and marks the first time U2 makes money while touring.

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - june 29, 1985. U2 perform in Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park in front of 57,000 people. DJ Dave Fanning introduces the band, "Now they're back! They have conquered the world. Are you ready for the greatest live rock & roll show you will ever see? Welcome back Bono, Larry, Adam and The Edge: U2!" Bono introduces "Sunday Bloody Sunday": "This is a song I wish we didn't have to write--but we had to write it, and we want to play it. One day Irishmen will stop fighting each other over the past. They will live and work together in the present. This is not the future..." The original Bloody Sunday happened in Croake Park itself on November 21, 1920. U2 are joined by violinist Steve Wickham for the song. U2 perform Bruce Springsteen's "My Hometown" which Bono dedicates to his father. Backstage after the show, Bono was overheard in a conversation: "For an Irishman to be standing on that stage just means so much, not just for us(U2), but for all Irishmen." U2 donate their proceeds from the show to the building of rehearsal rooms for young bands that cannot affort their own equipment. The building, called "The City Centre" opens in June 1989. U2 donate the proceeds from this show to the building of a music rehearsal center for young bands without equipment and a place to practice called The City Centre, which opened in June, 1989. Support for the concert is "In Tua Nua", "REM", "The Alarm" and "Squeeze".

"Bono vocers Elvis for Hollywood" - june 29, 1992. Bono tucks himself away in the STS Studios for the night to record his solo version of "Can't Help Falling in Love" for the upcoming Honeymoon in Vegas movie soundtrack.

"POPMart" tour - june 29, 1997 / Chicago, IL - Soldier Field - Fun Lovin' Criminals - Edge´s karaoke this night is "It's Not Unusual".

AMERICAN MORNING - Singer and activist Bono one year after the "Live 8" concert. Did aid to Africa live up to its promise? Promises to Africa; Democrats & Religion - Aired June 29, 2006 - 07:34 ET - THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. ... I don't think what's happening in Africa, with AIDS in particular and just the poverty and despair there, is a cause. I think it's an emergency. And lots of people have causes, and I have. But 69,000 people die ever day -- not a cause, an emergency. ... Bono is the only person to be nominated for a Grammy, an Oscar and the Noble Peace Prize. ... Thanks. Thanks for having us on. ... Well, there's good news and bad news, the DATA report shows. There's a couple of high grades to be given. Maybe we should start with those. I mean, just in the United States, you should be very proud that you have a truly historic AIDS initiative. It was an unfathomable, even a few years ago, to imagine that you could get, I think it's probably 600,000 people on anti-retroviral drugs in an 18- month period. On motorcycles and on bicycles, those drugs got out there, and I think you should be very proud about that. Though, that said, Congress in the last months have tried to block the president's request for his AIDS money for next year, and that, that's bewildering. You know, I was just in Africa a few weeks ago, and there's kids following me around like I'm a hero. They think I'm American. I don't explain where Ireland is. And I'm saying, you know, the reason she's following me around is because her mother, her father, her sister, her brother, all HIV-positive, all going to die, but these drugs are on their way from America. ... And she thinks I'm a hero. The idea of going back to that kid and saying actually, the Congress cut the budget, sorry about that, is just obscene. ... Soledad, you're exactly right. And I think the cavalry here are going to turn out to be the American people. They're organizing in ways that are very inspiring, across the political spectrum, you know. There's two -- I think it's maybe 2.2 million Americans have joined the one campaign recently, one.org, because they're serious about this. They're soccer moms. They're student activists. They're NASCAR dads. They're hip-hop stars. I mean, it's not just rock stars and policy wonks that are on this. And I think it says something deep about the way Americans feel about America right now, which is, they do not like to see their flag disrespected in far- off places around the world. They're very proud of this AIDS initiative. They want to put kids in schools, because they know that Democracy is being taught in those schools. I was in a school in Abuja with Gordon Brown, the finance minister, the chancellor of (INAUDIBLE), the U.K. And next door to where we were sitting, there was a class being taught in Nigeria about democracy, complicated questions that the kids could easily answer. A thousand miles from there in northern Nigeria, there are madrassas where children are being taught to hate us. So I think that it's a missed opportunity not to keep the promises made in the G8 and get more kids to school. Because of the debt cancellation movement -- that's another thing I want to give a good mark on, debt cancellation. They did follow through on that, and when I was recently in Africa, 15 million more kids were going to school, because of the drop-the-debt movement. And all the people that got out on the streets there should, you know, should give themselves a high five. That was really something. But there's 40 million more African children that want to go to school who can't, and in these dangerous times it might be just smart to get them to school. So, unless we keep track of these promises and fulfill them, they won't go to school. So that's the kind of yin and yang of this DATA report. ...That used to be true. The Cold War was fought on the African continent, and we in the West propped up some very dangerous dictators by giving them loans and throwing aid at them, because they were not communists. And we can't then point to the waste of those resources as just their fault. Anyway, that era is over. Now we only increase aid to countries where we can see that they're tackling corruption, where there's a clear and transparent process. If there's not, we pull out. In Ethiopia, things were looking great for a while, and then we couldn't see where the money was going, people pulled out. In Uganda, the Global Fund, this extraordinary organization that gets AIDS drugs to people and fights TB and malaria, they pulled out of Uganda because they couldn't see the -- where the money was going. It's a new era of aid, and I think Americans will become much more generous when they know that the money is being spent well. And I can assure you, with the Millennium Challenge corporation supported in Congress, that's what will happen. ... I think the dawning of on the body politick that this strategic value in dealing with Africa's problems. It's a 40 percent Muslim country. A country like Nigeria is a big oil-producing country. And it would be awful to see Nigeria get into trouble. I think then just at the grassroots level, as we get into the 2008 election, I think politicians will be wise to pay attention to this movement, because it will be five million by then. And you know, that's like -- that's real political muscle. This -- by 2008, we won't be tin cupping, oh please, please, you know, the poor come bowing around the back corridors of Congress. This is what the American people want. We're looking at not even one percent of the GDP of the United States. We're looking not even at .5 of a percent of the GDP. The United States is at .22. It's a fraction of a single point. So when Americans see that you can transform millions and millions of lives around the world and critically transform the way they see us in these dangerous times, they will prevail. And history is on our side here. This -- we will win. Right now, we're -- there's people dragging their feet, but we will prevail. And by you giving us access on your program, CNN, supporting us like you do in your Africa stories, you make it a lot easier. So thank you. ... Read whole transcription on cnn

6/28/2007

JUNE 28: McGonagle´s / Steve Wickham joins the band / U2 stop the rehearsal in Croke Park / The Unforgettable Fire exhibition opens in Dublin / Bono joins Jim Kerr / Lou Reed joins U2 / "Daydream Believer" / U2 takes its former stylist to court / 'U2 Uncovered' !

"Early Ireland" - june 28, 1979. U2 perform in Dublin, Ireland at McGonagle's.

"War" tour - june 28, 1983. U2 perform in Worcester, Massachusetts at the Centrum. Violinist Steve Wickham joins the band for "Sunday Bloody Sunday". During the encore of "Party Girl", Bono gets mobbed by a dozen female fans, one of which hancuffs herself to his ankle. Roadie Dennis Sheehan cuts her loose, and the rest of the group behave themselves on stage. Bono tells them, "Any other city in the world, we would have a riot right now..." The show generates revenues of $116,145US for the band--five times their average. The show is the largest show to date, in which the band has headlined. Support is "The Alarm"

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - june 28 1985 U2 are rehearsing in Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland when the headmaster from a school over a half mile away complains that the sound is disturbing students that are attempting to write exams. U2 immediately stop the rehearsal. That evening, "The Unforgettable Fire" exhibit opens in Dublin. U2 have paid for the exhibit to be transported temporarily to Grapevine Arts Centre in Dublin, Ireland from the Chicago Peace Museum. Bono is interviewed by RTE as he walks through the rooms of the exhibit, "An enormous exercise for themselves, the fear they felt over the holocaust and the bombs being dropped in Nagasaki and Hiroshima--they just painted. And that's what got me, even more than the paintings: just the idea that people should use art, if you like paint on canvas, to get something out of themselves. I suppose it's a bit like what we do with our music, that's the way we get it out of us. And it stuck on me, and when I was writing the words for 'The Unforgettable Fire', it just came back."

"Bono joins Jim Kerr" - june 28, 1986. "Simple Minds" perform in Dublin, Ireland at Croke Park. Opening act, "In Tua Nua" perform "Two Hearts Beat as One". Bono makes a guest appearance with "Simple Minds" and is introduced by lead singer, Jim Kerr as "...my friend, until the bitter end..." They sing a medley of "Lovesong", "Sun City", and "Dance To The Music".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 27, 1987. U2 perform in Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Attendance for both shows is 114,000. The band are much more relaxed on the second night than on the first. In the rain of the second night, Bono sings parts of the Beatle's "Rain". Lou Reed joins the band for a version of "Walk on the Wild Side". Second night support is Christy Moore, "The Pretenders", Lou Reed and "Hothouse Flowers".

U2 takes its former stylist to court - june 28, 2005. Bono, Larry, and Paul McGuinness are in Dublin Circuit Civil Court today attempting to get back items that are in the possession of their former stylist, Lola Cashman. Cashman had previously tried to sell items that she says the band had given her as a gift, including pants, a hat, earrings, and other material from her days working with the band during the Joshua Tree tour.

'U2 Uncovered'- june 28, 2005 - ITV1 - Tonight's one-hour special from behind the scenes of the 'Vertigo Tour' with Cat Deeley. Cat was in Manchester the other day, film crew in tow, spending hour after hour talking to band and crew as well as filming part of the show. The results of this air tonight at 11.30pm in 'U2 Uncovered'....'To be part of the extended U2 family, even for just a day,' says Cat, 'Is a dream come true. I¹ve had the immeasurable pleasure of interviewing the 'loudest folk band in the world' (to quote Bono) several times before, and still I can never predict what is going to happen or where we'll end up....'Larry, Adam, Bono and The Edge are four of the most charismatic, incredibly funny, self deprecating men I've ever met, and they just happen to be in the
biggest rock band in the world. So how do I feel about doing this show ? Three words: can't bloody wait!' Neither can we. Tonight, 11.30pm, ITV1.

6/27/2007

JUNE 27: show added at last minute / Bono introduces Edge as Rory Gallagher in Croke Park / "Sweet Caroline" / 38th VERTIGO show (Croke Park III): EXTRAORDINARY / European debut for 6 songs / 2nd encore / the show is filmed! It's party time for the 3rd and final Dublin gig!

"War" tour - june 27, 1983. U2 perform in New Haven, Connecticut at the Coliseum. The show was a last minute addition to the tour. This is the second arena-sized date, and the building is only half-filled. Support is Marshall Crenshaw, and "The Alarm".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 27, 1987. U2 perform in Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland. Attendance for both shows is 114,000. On the first night, Irish DJ Dave Fanning introduces U2 to a capacity crowd for U2's homecoming concert: "Allright...listen! Are you ready? Okay, they have thir clothes on...it's been two long years since Croke Park, so please welcome, back to Dublin...U2!" The crowd reply electrically, and the band has trouble getting rid of the tension of playing their hometown gig; when Bono starts singing "Where the Streets Have No Name" he misses his cue by a second or two. Bono is extremely talkative and expressive on this night, "When we started this group in 1977, I was 17, Edge was 15, Larry still is 15, Adam was 17 going on 70--a wise man. We didn't know where we were going, we just wanted to go there together. Ten years later, 1987. Croke Park. Our journey isn't over yet..," and then The Edge cut into "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." "A Sort of Homecoming" is played for the last time on the tour, and hasn't been played since. Bono introduces "People Get Ready" as an "American gospel song we picked up", and invites a guitarist from the audience to play along with the band. During the encore of "Party Girl", Bono introduces The Edge as Rory Gallagher. At the end of the song, Bono's wife Ali Hewson comes on stage to serve champagne to the band. "Mmmm...Imagine being married to that, whooo!" Bono shouts to the crowd. Support for the first night is "Light a Big Fire", "The Dubliners", "The Pogues" and Lou Reed.

"POPMart" tour - june 27, 1997. U2 perform in Chicago, Illinois. U2 purchase 3 dozen pizzas for the fans waiting outside their hotel. Edge´s karaoke this night is "Sweet Caroline".

38th 'VERTIGO' show - june 27, 2005 - Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park - Ash, The Bravery. EXTRAORDINARY / European debut for 6 songs / 2nd encore / the show is filmed! It's party time for the 3rd and final Dublin gig. Gloria, An Cat Dubh - Into the Heart, Original of the Species, Bad, and 40 all make their European Tour debuts. After Vertigo ends the show, U2 returns for two more songs in an unplanned 2nd encore. Tonight's show, like Saturday's, is filmed. Edge and Bono. Adam. Edge. Larry. Edge and Bono singing. 'This next song is about patience, it's a beautiful song - Original of the Species - for the ones you leave behind. Original of the Species.' An ecstatic version of Bad gives way to City of Blinding Lights ( 'Blinding lights brings on the night') with Bono showing some love to the Cusack Stand to an ovation of applause before Christopher Nolan receives a moving dedication at the beginning of Miracle Drug. 'Freely elected leader of Burma, great leader of human rights, lets sing to her tonight.' During Streets, Bono sings to Adam, way down the b-stage, with Bono taking a flag and bringing it up on stage - 'Make Poverty History'....'These decisions are made at the last minute So still need everyone to get involved..'...the band return to the stage with a dedication to friends and family, management, Paul McGuinness, crew and the 'wonderful Sharon Blankson'. And there's still time for Yahweh and 40. What a benediction! What a night! A touching moment in a show that tugged at the heart repeatedly. 'If the children don't grow up, our bodies get bigger but our hearts get torn up,' goes the song to which the band take to the stage. It might have been a Virgin Prunes lyric, a coda to the Lypton Village motto to never, ever, grow up. Children featured heavily this final Dublin show: The Edge had Bono dedicate to a 'Bernadette' of Crumlin's Children's hospital and 'Into the Heart' went out to Crumlin's staff. Many times during the show Bono let himself go, riding the waves and soaking up the energy coming off the audience, arms spread out, embracing the moment. These are the moments that become memories for the band, their crew and their fans. Somo photos on: U2-Vertigo-tour and Interference

6/26/2007

JUNE 26: last Elvis performance / "War" album is gold / bye to Ellen Durst / Bono meets the press / U2 to donate millions to Africa / Exclusive interview of U2 to Fantastico !

"Elvis Presley" - june 26, 1977. Elvis Presley performs his last concert in Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana.

"War" album is gold - june 26, 1983. U2's "War" sells 500,000 copies, and goes Gold in the US.

"ZOOTV-Zooropa" tour - june 26, 1993. U2 perform in Paris, France at the Hippodrome De Vincennes. During a show in Paris, Bono dedicates "Satellite of Love" to Ellen Darst, a longtime member of U2's management team who has decided to quit working for the band.

Bono meets the press - june 26, 2005. Bono is interviewed by Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" news program. They discuss issues related to 3rd world poverty and the upcoming Live 8 concerts. The interview is done by satellite with Bono sitting in a studio in Dublin, though it's unclear if the interview is live or on tape.

U2 to donate millions to Africa - june 26, 2005 - It's noticed that Irish rockers U2 will donate $6 million (GBP3.3 million, about one million euro [$1,200,000/GBP665,000] each) of their own money towards eliminating poverty in Africa. BONO, ADAM CLAYTON, THE EDGE and LARRY MULLAN, who will be performing at the London leg of next Saturday's (02JUL05) LIVE 8 in Hyde Park, will each make a donation from profits of their current VERTIGO tour. Source: contactmusic.

Exclusive interview of U2 to Fantastico - june 26, 2005: U2 will play in Brazil / maybe play in the middle of the ocean to TV / the video of "Vertigo" from Chicago -
Exclusive: the four musicians of the U2 speak to the Fantastico!
Very relaxed, in Chicago, in the backstage of the new tour, Bono and his friends remember the visits for Brazil and guarantee that they will be back. Backstage of a presentation of U2 in Chicago for 20.000 people. It´s almost the moment the band up on stage. But, before this, they have a mission: to speak with the Fantastico.
The musicians arrive separately. First the drummer Larry Mullen and the bassist Adam Clayton. After that, The Edge, the man of the guitar, he appears alone. And, finally, after the biggest suspense, he arrives, the singer Bono, much relaxed. And it won´t be long until to the start of the show (less than 30 minutes).
In common, the members of U2 has good memories of Brazil: the show of January 1998 and the special to Fantastico, in November 2000.
Adam has the good impression with the people singing together in the stadiums. "And the English nor is the first language of you," he says.
In the same way, The Edge remembers: "In 2000, we amuse a lot in Rio. We were to the beach, we recorded a video. It was excellent ".
Bono, also, has, only good memeories:
"We adore that show for the Fantastico. It made much time that we didn´t prepare nothing similar. And it was a sweet sensation, cause, in the early times U2 made shows exactly as this one: in TV programs ".
Since, Bono give the key, we asked: the actual tour, "Vertigo", has possibility to come to Brazil?
"If it won´t be, I will be very upset. We are trying 'to set'. It´s funny, cause, in my memory, some of the best shows of our lives had been in the South America. And Brazil is, really, very special ", declares the singer.
U2 again in Brazil. Who knows this history exactly is a super-powerful figure, not much known: Paul McGuinness, the manager of U2 since the start, a rare case in the Rock. It´s with authority of who takes care of the band during 27 years which he affirms: "I have that give a way to take this show for Brazil. I want a lot to set a special event, in a different place, to air in the TV. There it would be interesting ", the manager dreams.
Paul McGuinness asks if, in Brazil, somebody already had constructed a stage in the sea, inside water. To play in the middle of ocean would be one more bold-attitude of U2, that released the first record in 1979 and has the same members until today. Although as much time in the road, it seems they never get tired themselves:
"This comes of our origin ' punk '. We are not as those cool bands of years 70, that believed the audience had much luck for being in a show. We believe that we have the luck of the audience want to see us", Bono confesses.
Anther question to the vocalist. When on stage, it is amusement or work?
"When everything functions it is an incredible sensation. It is as if I disappeared inside the songs. But when it doesn´t give certain, we are the worse band of the world. You didn´t want that we played nor in your marriage ".
Modesty, of course. At 45 years-old, Bono is much more of that a singer. He´s an activist, a defender of humanitarian causes. He´s also one of the most known faces of the planet. In the name of the rock and of the good causes, he does anything. Not one: to pass hours in a record studio.
"I am very impatient. It doesn´t give. The guys, until, are happy when I disappear of the studio ", Bono says.
The four already had many fights. But now, "40´", they seem serene and focused in the music. But still ambitious.
"We dont´t make question of being the biggest band of the world. We want be the best", explains the drummer Larry Mullen.
To the bassist Adam Clayton, it´s necessary to keep the way to search new features, different things. Already the guitarist The Edge affirms that U2 still is in the height.
"Bono is singing as never, we are playing as never and the musics continue very good ".
It arrives the hour of the show and we say goodbye. However, the vocalist Bono, that one who is "singing as never", has more a message for the people who attends the Fantastico:
"We loved play in Brazil. It was very good. And we´ll play again!", he promises.
-read the whole interview (Brazilian Portuguese language) on: Fantastico - Globo

6/25/2007

JUNE 25: :...cold / "Nude Interview" / a civil war / "Daydream Believer" / 37th 'VERTIGO' show (CROKE PARK II): "Out Of Control" / female fan during "All I Want Is You" / male fan during "Party Girl" / Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is in attendance / 'Worst weddingband, best rock band' / Edge and his guitar on "Party Girl" / Bono in St. Tropez!

"War" tour - june 25, 1983. U2 perform in Atlanta, Georgia at the Civic Center. Bono's voice is strained and he cannot hit the high notes because of a cold. Support is "The Alarm".

"Nude Interview" - june 25, 1987. U2 perform and are interviewed on Irish Radio on the Dave Fanning Show. Reacting to the line in the Iggy Pop song, "Lust for Life", the members of U2 strip and do the remainder of the hilarious interview nude. Read the transcription of this interview on: U2 Interviews.

"Croatia and Slovenia" - june 25, 1993. Croatia and Slovenia declare independence from Yugoslavia, laying the foundation for a fierce civil war in the region.

"POPMart" tour - june 25, 1997. U2 perform in Madison, Wisconsin. Edge´s karaoke this night is "Daydream Believer"

37th 'VERTIGO' show - june 25, 2005 - Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park - Paddy Casey, The Thrills - "Out Of Control" / female fan during "All I Want Is You" / male fan during "Party Girl" / Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is in attendance / 'Worst weddingband, best rock band' / Edge and his guitar on "Party Girl" - An early-in-the-set version of Out of Control -- the song this city chose as U2's first single 26 years ago -- gets the crowd pumped up. It's the first time the song has been played on the European tour, and only the second time all year. Bono dances with a female fan during All I Want Is You, and brings a male fan on stage to play guitar during Party Girl. Bono tells the crowd that the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is in attendance.At soundcheck, U2 rehearsed "Until the End of the World" and "Bad. Edge so happy. Edge. The stage. Adam and the crowd. Bono and the red lights. Party Girl on the screen. Bono is going on about stealing The Edge from Wales and delivering him to a GAA stadium when we realise they are playing Out of Control....says Bono: 'Watch those boys on the second date, girls...'...For Party Girl, it 'pays to advertise'. Canadian fan Matt carrying a 'I can play guitar' sign is spotted by Bono early on in the show and he gets his 15 minutes (almost literally - Dallas can't find a guitar for him that works and The Edge is very reluctant to give up his own) playing Party Girl with the band and this time Bono gets the words right. 'Worst wedding band, best rock band,' he boasts. The 80,000 fans agree....Paul McGuinness announced on RTE's news bulletin that the band are considering taking this outdoor show to the States next year....Bono was seen signing autographs for screaming fans outside the Clarence Hotel where the band, no doubt, celebrated their second succesful conquest. On the streets of Temple Bar, the fans were left to wonder: what more can Monday night's show bring? Edge to Mattt..." What song are we playing? Some photos on U2-Vertigo-tour

Bono in St. Tropez - june 25, 2006 - Some photos on Interference

6/24/2007

JUNE 24: "The Tube" in 83 / Sick of all flags / this isn´t the name of new album / 36th 'VERTIGO' show-CROKE PARK I: a triumphant homecoming / rain-Mexican wave / before playing a note the band walked to the front of the stage to accept the adulation of fans / Bono joined The Edge for Electrical Co. / 'Rain' and Thin Lizzy's 'Jailbreak' / Crumlin Childrens Hospital!

"War" tour - june 24, 1983. U2 perform in Jacksonville, California. Support is "The Alarm". British TV music show "The Tube" airs "I Will Follow" which was taped in front of a studio audience on March 16,1983.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 24, 1987. U2 perform in Belfast, Northern Ireland at King's Hall. Once U2 take the stage, ten or twenty Irish Tri-Colors appear in the audience. Bono immediately reacts, "You can take down the flags, we don't need any flags...we're SICK of ALL FLAGS!" Support is Lou Reed.

"Album rumors quashed" - june 24, 2003. A HotPress.com article kills recent rumors that the next U2 album will be called "Solar" and that it'll be released on March 8, 2003. Says Four5One's Steve Averill: "We haven't done any work on the cover yet and 'Solar' isn't on the possible list of titles we've been given."

36th 'VERTIGO' show - june 24, 2005 - Dublin, Ireland - Croke Park - Snow Patrol / Radiators - a triumphant homecoming / rain-Mexican wave / before playing a note the band walked to the front of the stage to accept the adulation of fans / Bono joined The Edge for Electrical Co. / 'Rain' and Thin Lizzy's 'Jailbreak' / Crumlin Childrens Hospital! U2 returns to Croke Park almost 20 years to the date of their first gig in the historic Dublin stadium. Rain falls for much of the day and night, and twice Bono sings a bit of the Beatles' 'Rain.' A bit of Thin Lizzy's 'Jailbreak' is added at the end of Vertigo 2. 'It doesn't get any better than this...': 'The funky side of town, the north side of Dublin,' exclaimed Bono as the biggest audience on the tour to date, all 82,000 of them, started jumping and jiving - barely stopping for breath all night....'I think that was the third time we have played that ever...' said Bono, as a soaring rendition of Wild Horses came to a close. 'Hope it was to your liking.' At which point Bruce Ramus, Lighting Director, swung a spotlight on a huge banner hanging over a balcony on one of the main stands. Bono read out the greeting:'Welcome home boys... We will see you in Rome next week!' Cue a momentary meditation on the poet Keats....and Bono took the moment to thank Adam, Larry and Edge as well as management and crew for 'giving us such a great life'. Introducing Miracle Drug, he recalled the last time the band had played in this stadium, not twenty years ago but three years ago, a short but special performance at the Special Olympics. It was a sign, he said, of the way that Ireland is about the future, revealing that there were some special guests here tonight from Crumlin Childrens Hospital. 'We want to welcome them,' he added to great cheers, 'This song is for the doctors and nurses, especially the nurses!'...of Running to Stand Still to Aung San Suu Kyi- who was given the Freedom of Dublin on the same day as U2. Last weekend she spent her sixtieth birthday, the elected leader of her people, under house arrest. And for a third night Bono ended the song singing 'Happy Birthday' to the Burmese leader, segueing into a clip of Walk On, the track from the band's last album which was dedicated to her....As the applause rose to greet the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the opening chords of Pride In The Name of Love created total pandemonium - a sea of raised hands and soaring voices. ' A dream when everyone is free and equal under the eyes of God.'...a song originally inspired by Africa which has found new meaning in Africa in 2005. 'This is our moment, from the charity of the old Live Aid to the justice of the new Live8,from drop the debt to trade justice to make poverty history-the journey of equality GOES ON!'...'What a beautiful night, beautiful night,' as the singer put it. 'It doesn't get any better than this, this band, this home town and this stadium!'...'Oh, yes, you look so beautiful tonight...' Edge, Adam and the stage. Edge walking to the mini-stage. Croker-lights. One song 'Miracle Drug' was dedicated to the staff of Crumlin's Children's Hospital. The crowd approved. Bono wasn't bullshitting. "The last time we were in this beautiful stadium was at the Special Olympics, and that was an extraordinary evening," declared Bono. "Ireland was not about the past, it was about the future and it was excited about the future."...And the noise, the bass notes, reverberated up through the soles of our feet. People will have seen the band live at 110 shows paying a total of £220 million. Heroe´s welcome as the boys are back in town. Bono. The crowd. U2 thrill 80,000 at Dublin venue. A haon, a do, a tri, a ceather deag. 'What's Irish for 14, Larry?': Bono is serious. For their second performance of 'Vertigo' of the night, he walks over to the drum kit to ask Larry Mullen how to say 14 'as Gaeilge'. Misunderstanding, Larry shouts: 'A h-aon'! ('one') Bono asks again and this time the drummer gets it right: 'ceithir deug'. Three times he tells Bono how to say it. 'A h-aon, a dhà, a trì, a ceithirmmmmmfrgh!'...'Oh, you look so beautiful tonight,' Bono told the Croke Park audience. Absolutely gorgeous, yes. Some photos on: U2-Vertigotour. Read more: here and here

6/23/2007

JUNE 23: Adam joins Maria McKee / Pamela Anderson and a letter signed by "Edge & Morleigh"!

"War" tour - june 23, 1983. U2 perform in Miami, Florida. Support is "The Alarm".

"Adam joins Maria McKee" - june 23, 1989. Adam joins Maria McKee in Dublin, Ireland at Mother Redcap's. Adam plays bass on a few songs.

"ZOOTV-Zooropa" tour - june 23, 1993. U2 perform in Strasbourg, France at Stade De La Meinau.

Pamela Anderson and a letter signed by "Edge & Morleigh" ...Pamela Anderson hit Dublin with a bang this week highlighting AIDS & animal cruelty issues and still finding time to look after her two kids. She stayed at U2's Edge and Bono plush Clarence Hotel! When she left U2's Clarence Hotel it's noticed she was reading a
letter signed by Edge & Morleigh and it seemed to inviting Pam's boys over to The Edge's house for a play date with his children. Source: showbizireland

6/22/2007

JUNE 22: Longest Day Festival - England-Los Angeles / Guggi´s exhibition-red shirt #7-Lanois joins U2 / Edge marries Morleigh, at the Garden of Eze, South France!!!!!(Congratulations!)

"War" tour - june 22, 1983. U2 perform in Tampa, Florida at the Curtis Hixon Center. Support is "The Alarm".

"The Unforgettable Fire" tour - june 22, 1985. U2 perform in Milton Keynes, England at the Milton Keynes Bowl as part of the "Longest Day" festival. Other performers include Billy Bragg, "The Ramones", and "REM". U2 headline the festival, and 50,000 fans sell out the festival. It's rained most of the day, and the skies are cloudy when U2 take the stage. Bono attempts to introduce "Bad", but the synthesizer cuts out. Bono is left on stage with nothing to say and retorts, "This is very Bad". Roadies attempt to solve the problem while Bono jokes with the crowd, "It's really great to be back in Los Angeles. Well, now you know why we don't break down so much--because I don't tell very good jokes. Actually, there was this sandwich that went into a bar..." The crowd groands, and Bono turns around to look at the band who are gesturing him to not tell the joke. Bono continues, "Right, so this sandwich goes into a bar, and eases his way past a few pork pies and steps up to the waiter and says, 'Waiter, can I have a pint of Guiness?' He says, 'No, I'm sorry, we don't serve sandwiches.'" Bono invites someone from the crowd to tell a better joke. A man gets on stage and gives Bono a big hug, "All right sunshine, seeing as you're the height you are," Bono jokes referring to the man's gigantic size, "you can do the rest of this on your knees, OK?" The man kneels and threatens not to tell his joke. Bono says that the crowd are waiting for him, and the man finally tells his joke, "OK...I'll tell a joke," he starts, "What's the biggest joke in Great Britain?". He pauses for a second, and then lets the punchline go, "Wham!". Bono thanks the man and escorts him to the edge of the stage. The band fill the time by playing The Beatles' "Rain", and Dylan's "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall". Again, Bono introduces "Bad", and this time the synthesizer completely cuts out. "Anyone knows any more jokes?" Bono asks. At the end of the show, Bono says to the crowd, "We're going to go away now and write some songs for our next LP. It means a lot to this group that we can be away for the last six months and that so many people still want to come and see us." Bono individually thanks the groups performing that day, as well as Adam, Larry and The Edge for letting him be in their band, and then performs "40".

"Elevation" tour - june 22, 2001 - East Rutherford, NJ, USA - Continental Airlines Arena - PJ Harvey. U2 wraps up the first leg of the Elevation Tour with a show in E. Rutherford, New Jersey. Prior to the show, Bono attends the opening of an art exhibit in New York featuring the works of his longtime friend, Guggi. Wild Honey's live debut is an acoustic version - Bono and Edge at the heart, Daniel Lanois on guitar at the main stage. Lanois also plays there during Ground Beneath Her Feet. Celeb's there: M. Stipe, K. Annan, B. Clinton, Beastie Boys, Gavin F., Guggi. Edge wears red shirt #7, this night.

"Edge marries Morleigh (again)" - june 22, 2002. The Edge "marries" longtime girlfriend Morleigh Steinberg in a Jewish ceremony at the Garden of Eze in the south of France. Edge wears his trademark hat with a white/cream-colored jacket over a dark shirt. Morleigh, of course, wears white. The ceremony takes place at the ruins of a medieval castle near the village where Bono and Edge also share a home. Bono is Edge's best man. It's actually the couple's second ceremony of the week -- they first tied the knot in a private ceremony four days earlier (June 18) at a Dublin registry office. From an article in Ireland on Sunday newspaper: Invited guests included Bob Geldof, Mick Jagger, movie director Neil Jordan and the Gallagher brothers. But many of the famous invitees were unable to attend and the wedding was principally a family affair with band members, their families and close friends such as supermodel Christy Turlington looking on. Befitting the ceremony's unique theme, the Edge chose a woman to be his best man. His close friend, Chantal O'Sullivan, a successful art dealer, had the honour of holding the rings while the couple exchanged vows.

6/21/2007

JUNE 21: McGonagle´s / "I Fall Down" is interrupted / returning to Dublin to record b-sides / Davy Jones joins Edge on stage / "Stay" to Moulin Rouge´s director / Special Olympics Games in Dublin / 35th 'VERTIGO' show: "...Stand Still" to Aung San Suu Kiy / The Edge's guitar solos as Bono's antics / "Promised You A Miracle" at the end of "Beautiful Day" to homage Simple Minds / Bono kisses a lucky female fan / Edge doesn´t hold anything back / Edge going mental!

"Early Ireland" - june 21, 1979. U2 perform in Dublin, Ireland at McGonagle's.

"War" tour - june 21, 1983. U2 perform in Orlando, Florida at the Jai Alai Fronton Hall. "I Fall Down" is interrupted because of pushing at the front of the stage. Bono turns to the flags at the back of the stage and shouts, "You see the white flags that we have at the back of the stage? That means nobody gets hurt when we play!" Support is "The Alarm".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 21, 1987. U2 perform in Basel, Switzerland at St. Jakob's Station. Only 40,000 of the 50,000 tickets sell--it is the only European date not to sell out. Support is "The Pretenders", and Lou Reed. As they did after the June 17,1987 show in Cologne, Germany, U2 immediately return to Dublin, Ireland to record B-side tracks for yet-to-be-released singles.

"POPMart" tour - june 21, 1997 - Los Angeles, CA - Los Angeles Coliseum - After another solid, acoustic version of "Staring At The Sun," Bono took off for backstage and Edge started us into the karaoke version of "Daydream Believer." A guy in blue and white walk inside the rail -- he looked familiar. As soon as Edge finished the first chorus, he stops and says "Oh no, I've been caught" or something like that. Up on the B-stage walks Monkee Davy Jones, grinning from ear-to-ear, mic in hand and ready to sing!!!!! Absolutely hysterical -- we were all laughing our asses off as Edge got down on his knees and bowed before Davy Jones in the "I'm not worthy" pose! Davy took us the rest of the way through a looong version of "Daydream Believer," with Edge chiming in for the chorus. This will no doubt be one of the all-time POP Mart tour highlights! Just awesome!

"Elevation" tour - june 21, 2001 / E. Rutherford, NJ - Continental Airlines Arena - PJ Harvey. Comments: Bono dedicates 'Stay' to Baz Luhrmann, director of the movie 'Moulin Rouge', who is in the arena tonight. Edge wears burgundy shirt #7, this night.

"Special Olympics World Summer Games" - june 21, 2003. U2 performs "One" and "Pride" today at the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics World Summer Games at Croke Park in Dublin. "One" includes backing from a full orchestra. During "Pride", Bono changes lyrics to reference the day's events and the presence of former South African president Nelson Mandela. Toward the end of the song, Bono goes backstage and returns with Mandela, calling him "the president of everyone, everywhere who loves and fights for freedom."

35th 'VERTIGO' show - june 21, 2005 - Glasgow, Scotland - Hampden Park - Interpol, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club. - "...Stand Still" to Aung San Suu Kiy / The Edge's guitar solos as Bono's antics / "Promised You A Miracle" at the end of "Beautiful Day" to homage Simple Minds / Bono kisses a lucky female fan / Edge doesn´t hold anything back / Edge going mental! Just as he did two days ago in London, Bono dedicates Running to Stand Still to Aung San Suu Kyi and adds a bit of Walk On at the end. Scotish fans cheered at The Edge's guitar solos, and not just Bono's antics. BONO is clearly enjoying himself as he keeps the 50,000-strong crowd in the party spirit! Guitarist The Edge doesn't hold anything back as he strikes out to deliver another of his virtuoso displays ! A lucky female fan gets a kiss from Bono! Two young fans were up for a Hampden party! Edge going mental during Electric Co - probably one of the highlights. 'Hope that went okay for the people of Glasgow...' remarked Bono...'Three notes, four notes... I hear those four notes and I¹m excited about the future, excited about being in this band, excited about what we might do in the future. You need a bus load of faith in the future. Who said that ? Lou Reed. Faith in the idea that God can inspire doctors and nurses...This is Miracle Drug.'...'...Spent her birthday again behind bars. Beautiful woman, beautiful spirit. I dedicate this song to her.. 'Running to Stand Still'.' At the end of the song, Bono again sang Happy Birthday to Aung San Suu Kyi, and with perfect timing the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights began scrolling up the screens behind.... Some photos on U2-Vertigo-tour * U2-Vertigo-tour * U2-Vertigo-tour and U2tours

6/20/2007

JUNE 20: Adam, Bono and Bowie / dressed with anti-radiation suits to protest Sellafield / official website!

"Adam and Bono" - june 20, 1990. David Bowie performs in Cleveland, Ohio at Richfield Coliseum. "You know, this was a song written by an Irishman," Bowie explains during the introduction of Van Morrison's "Gloria", "I get the impression it would sound even better if I had an Irishman singing with me...how about BONO?" The crowd roar their approval, and Bono walks on stage, "Well, she comes around here, comes around at midnight. She makes me feel good, but Cleveland makes me feel alright..." Adam Clayton watches from the side of the stage.

"U2 dressed in white anti-radiation suits, masks...to protest" - june 20 1992 At the crack of dawn, U2 step out of inflatable rafts on a stretch of beach beside the Sellafield Nuclear Plant on the North-Western coast of England. Attempts to hold a protest at the facility the day before were blocked by British Nuclear Fuels Limited(BNFL). Dressed in white anti-radiation suits and wearing sunglasses and masks, the four band members roll out several barrels of contaminated mud from the shores of the Irish Sea. A hundred reporters and photographers are present, and the actions of the four members of U2 bring even more media attention to Sellafield. Bono explains to one reporter, "It's kind of absurd that we have to dress up like complete wankers to make this point." The Edge answers a question about why they are involved in the issue of Sellafield, "Sellafield is our back garden. There's a particular school in Dundalk where a lot of girls have left and have had Down's Syndrome babies. Over the years, time and time again, the finger gets pointed across the water. And the idea that this new plant would open up and increase emission by 1000% is completely outrageous."

"Official website" - june 20, 1997. U2 launches it's first attempt at an official website on the MicroSoft Network.

6/19/2007

JUNE 19: "Stop Sellafield" concert / The X-Press / "San Francisco" / Bono, Ali, Edge in G8 Cologne / Lanois joins U2 / 34th 'VERTIGO' show Aung San Suu Kyi's 60th birthday / "Walk On" / "One" to Geldof, who was there / Edge´s crazy guitar solo / Edge´s too cool / Steve Lillywhite B-day / "London Callling" ("We live by the river!") / having fun with a baloon from a fan / "Who´s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" as highlight!

"Stop Sellafield" - june 19, 1992. U2 play alongside "Kraftwerk", "Public Enemy", and "Big Audio Dynamite II" at the "Stop Sellafield" show in the G-Mex Centre in Manchester. The concert is organized with Greenpeace to protest against the proposed building of a second nuclear power plant in Cumbria on the north-west coast of England. Sellafield processes spent uranium rods into plutonium for nuclear weapons, and in doing so, has been releasing nuclear waste into the surrounding environment for fourty years. Scientists have been able to determine that nuclear material from Sellafield has in the past reached the coasts of Europe, and even the North Pole. The number of cancer sufferers, still-born and deformed babies are 10 times the national average in the immediate area around Sellafield. British Nuclear Fuels Limited(BNFL) are now planning on opening a second plant at the facility, which will process nuclear waste from facilities from around the globe and increase the amount of waste released into the environment by a factor of fifteen. To help Greenpeace and a local group CORE(Cumbrians Opposed to a Radioactive Environment), U2 agree to headline a concert opposed to the opening of the new facility. The original plan was to hold an outdoor festival on June 20, 1992 at Manchester's Heaton Park. Between 50,000 and 100,000 fans were expected. Ticket prices were kept low -- 10 pounds. However, the city of Manchester refused permission for the concert because of "the damage and pollution" that may be caused to the park. The show was then re-scheduled for the much smaller G-Mex Centre for June 19, 1992. Original plans were to hold a large protest rally at the gates of the Sellafield facility, which however are derailed by the BNFL, after U2 make an official announcement to attend the rally. U2's statement, in part, read: "BNFL have an annual advertising and public relations budget of several millions, which they spend on putting an acceptable face on the nuclear waste business. In an attempt to counter this massive propaganda, U2 are assiting Greenpeace in presenting the other side of Sellafield. U2 will be coming to Sellafield on June 20." BNFL's reaction was to go to court and attempt to see if the demonstration could be blocked. BNFL's official objection was that the demonstration would attract a large crowd and that they were "concerned about public safety". After the announcement of the injuction, an outraged U2 blasted the BNFL through Manager Paul McGuinness: "It's quite ironic that British Nuclear Fuels, a company that produces raw materials for the use in weapons of mass destruction, should be so concerned about public order." While the protest is stopped, the show in Manchester does go on. For "The Fly" the words on the screens are changed: "LEUKEMIA - DEBT - CHILD - DETERRENT - WARHEAD - KRYPTON - PLUTONIUM - DECAY - MUSHROOM - FEAR - REACT OR DIE - START A CHAIN REACTION - E = MC2 - NOBODY IS PROMISED A TOMORROW - RADIATION SICKNESS - STOP SELLAFIELD NOW". After the song, Bono comments on the actions of the BNFL: "We were going to invite you all down to the gates at Sellafield tomorrow. We had personal invitations...I guess when they found out you were coming, they didn't like it very much. I wonder what they've got to hide? They've cancelled a peaceful demonstration because they said that were worried about 'public safety'. These people are responsible for the deaths of innocent children. For God's sake, public safety doesn't come near them. Anyway, the whole farce has backfired on them -- in the last week, they've given Greenpeace more publicity than they could ever want." Lou Reed joins Bono at the B-stage for "Sattelite of Love" -- even though Reed cannot remember the lyrics, the version is memorable. The phonecall tonight, is made to British Prime Minister, "Let's see if I can get this man Major on the phone," Bono says to the crowd, "It's 071-270-3000. You can try it yourself if you like....C'mon Johnny baby! Don't let me down!" Bono tries hard to get by the receptionist, but is unable to. "Could you tell him to watch more TV?" he asks innocently. After the show, Bono comments that "If people are interested in U2 and therefore become interested in the issues, that's all that matters." Later, U2 join other Greenpeace members on their ship Solo and sail to the Sellafield coast at night.

"The X-Press" - june 19 1995 U2 give their first major interview in two years to Liam Mackey of The X-Press, a rebel organization launched by journalists who had found themselves unemployed when The Irish Press Group closed down. It is later reprinted in Hot Press.

"POPMart" tour - june 19, 1997. U2 perform in Oakland, California at the Oakland Coliseum. Edge´s karaoke this night is "San Francisco" (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)

"Edge, Bono&Ali, and Thom York in Cologne (G8 Summit)" - june 19, 1999. Bono appears the G8 Summit in Cologne, Germany to present a petition with 17 million signatures supporting Third World debt relief to world leaders there. He is joined by his wife, Ali, and Edge, all appearing on behalf of Jubilee 2000's "Drop the Debt" campaign. All three also take part in a human chain around the G8 summit centre. More than 20,000 people were said to take part in this demonstration.

"Elevation" tour - june 19, 2001 / New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - PJ Harvey. Daniel Lanois joins U2 on stage to play guitar and sing backup during 'Stuck In a Moment.' 'Staring at the Sun' is an acoustic version with Edge playing and Bono singing. Edge wears red shirt #7 this night.

34th 'VERTIGO' show - june 19, 2005 - London, England - Twickenham Stadium - Idlewild, Ash. Aung San Suu Kyi's 60th birthday / "Walk On" / "One" to Geldof, who was there / Edge´s crazy guitar solo / Edge´s too cool / Steve Lillywhite B-day / "London Callling" ("We live by the river!") / having fun with a baloon from a fan / "Who´s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses" as highlight! On a very hot day in London, Bono adds a bit of 'Hot in Herre' to Elevation. Running to Stand Still includes snippets of Happy Birthday and Walk On and is dedicated to Aung San Suu Kyi, for her 60th birthday and her 2,523rd day under military detention, under house arrest. 'One' is dedicated to Bob Geldof, who is at the show. Bono's just pulled a Nelly and told the crowd 'it's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes'...Miracle Drug, which is dedicated 'to the front row, for letting this Irishman sweat all over you.' Bono pulls a girl on stage during With Or Without you and adlibs some LMC Vs U2: Take Me To The Clouds Above...." At the beginning of COBL Bono takes a baloon from a fan, bites off the weight, lets it float to the sky and spends the show watching it, waving to it, pointing it oud to Edge-just seemingly having fun. Bono proclamed so all the shout outs to "London Town", Steve Lillywhite (birthday). An incredibly hot day but everyone was so up for it. Bono said of the Edge: "He never sweats. He's too cool" Bono introduced the second Vertigo by saying it was an "encore, from the Spanish encora" and threw in a snippet of The Clash's 'London Calling', shouting "We live by the river!" 'The Electric Co.', which got a much better response than I expected. What was memorable during this song, was The Edge and Bono interacting with the crowd at the front of the stage. While The Edge went crazy with his guitar solo at the tip of one b-stage, Bono threw water on the crowd that was at the front of the stage, who must of been absolutely roasting after being positioned at the front for at least four hours in the blistering heat. And as Edge gave it a slap on the back and sent it on its way, casual observers had to think for a moment before they recognised 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses'. An epic performance and a highlight. Some photos on: U2-Vertigo-tour flickr
JUNE 18: 7 crews members and a belly dancer / "Daydream Believer" / A tribute to Oasis / Edge and Morleigh´s wedding / 33th VERTIGO show: "No one does U2 better than U2" / Edge chuckles sardonically / "Speak to your sons! Tell them to coexist!" / Edge: Adam needs a lot of space / BRILL / the biggest band by a mile / they had an aura / spiritually blessed!!!! A portion of tonight's show airs live on BBC2 radio !

"ZOOTV" tour - june 18, 1992. U2 perform the last "ZooTV" arena show in Glasgow, Scotland at the Scottish Exhibition Centre. Seven crew members join the belly dancer on stage during "Mysterious Ways", all dressed in rowdy costumes. The "Stop Sellafield" concert will be held the next day in Manchester, England. Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions". Two months later, U2 return with the "ZooTV - Outside Broadcast Tour".

"POpMart" tour - june 18, 1997. U2 perform in Oakland, California at the Oakland Coliseum. During the first of two shows in Oakland, Bono sings a couple lines of "Wonderwall" during "Last Night on Earth," as a way of tribute to Oasis, who is opening up for U2 at both Oakland shows. After the show, the two bands spend the early morning hours at Tosca Cafe, which was reserved privately by the band. After much imbibing, Bono serenades his mates with a solo version of Caruso's "O Sole Mio." Edge´s karaoke this night is "Daydream Believer".

"Edge and Morleigh's wedding in Dublin" - june 18, 2002. Congratulations to Edge and Morleigh on five years of marriage! They were married June 18, 2002, at a private ceremony in Dublin. The public ceremony was four days later at the Garden of Eze in the south of France.

33th VERTIGO show - june 18, 2005 - London, England - Twickenham Stadium - The Doves, Athlete. "No one does U2 better than U2" / Edge chuckles sardonically / "Speak to your sons! Tell them to coexist!" / Edge: Adam needs a lot of space / BRILL / the biggest band by a mile / they had an aura / spiritually blessed!!!! A portion of tonight's show airs live on BBC2 radio, starting with City of Blinding Lights and continuing for the rest of the show. 'A married man flirting with the entire city of London', jokes Bono. 'Sexy London!'...In the 32-degree...Edge then straps on the iconic Explorer and launches I Will Follow. 'Despite all my rage I am still just a rat in a cage!' spits Bono, wired to the mains. He lurches from the Pumpkins to the Who, reaching to the back row as he sings: 'I can see for miles and miles.' BBC Radio begins a live feed to a hungry nation during All I Want is You. Bono flirts some more - Miracle Drug is for 'the doctors, scientists and nurses who help to keep us alive' especially the nurses!' - before getting serious for Sometimes... In a neat coincidence, the moon sits in almost perfect symmetry behind the white-disk head of a cartoon man who movingly appears on the big screen. the famous 'coexist' bandana, lends him a hint of the last Samurai as he beats a drum for Love and Peace. Steve Lillywhite once told U2.com that 'No one does U2 better than U2', and as they ease into Sunday Bloody Sunday, you can't help thinking he's right. 'Father Abraham, what have you done?' cries Bono. 'Speak to your sons! Tell them to coexist!'...Bono feeds off the collective energy: 'This is our moment; this is our time!' he shouts. 'This is London! Wow' ...And talking of which, tonight's lucky girl is Anushka, who joins Bono during Mysterious Ways. 'You've got beautiful eyes,' he tells her. 'Don't give them away.' As she films him on a handycam, only she and Bono fail to spot that it's upside down. The Edge chuckles sardonically, along with 70,000 other gooseberries. Yahweh is tonight's benediction: 'take this city's heart - London's heart 'and keep it safe';...look for the sun-kissing the stage here / look for Bono, an Irish flag and a sea of hands here look for Bono and lucky Anushka here / look for the stage with the dark-night behind the scene here. ...After the show the band was kind enough to make a few fans happy by signing a few things for them. Edge was heard saying he really enjoyed tonight's show, but agreed that tomorrow's show would probably be even better, given it's a second show. Faced with two tickets to sign, Adam opted to sign the most practical one, being the unused Dublin one. Edge mentioned he really needs to talk to him about the amount of space his sig takes up...look it here. When Bono threw water from his bottle on Vertigo, the crowd got sprayed, as if they were getting spiritually blessed. Some photos on: wireimage and flickr
JUNE 17: not to do anymore climbing / U2 returns to Ireland to record B-sides / "Feet On The Ground" / U2 loses the battle over HQ / red shirt #2 / U2 receives a Lifetime Achievement Award!

"War" tour - june 17, 1983. U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Sports Stadium. This is U2's first Arena show, and was a last minute addition to the tour. Although Worcester, Massachusetts was to be the first Arena date, tickets there sold so rapidly, that an additional "practice" date in an Arena was added. Bono climbs upto the balcony of the stadium, and when people keep pulling at his clothes, he threatens to jump. When the pulling doesn't stop, Bono jumps 20 feet into the crowd, dragging his sound technician with him. Screaming fans reach out for him, and when one fan pushes him, Bono pushes back. Dennis Sheehan jumps into the fracas, and half-pulls, half-carries Bono back to the stage. The flag pole Bono is carrying with him is broken in two places. After the show, in the dressing room, the 3 other members of U2 and Paul McGuinness tear into him and order him to stop that type of behaviour at concerts, and Bono is ordered not to do anymore climbing. Bono later commented on the events at this concert in a Rolling Stone interview: "I lost my senses completely...Somebody could have died at that concert, it was a real sickener for me. It's mean a total re-evaluation of what we are about live. We don't need to use a battering ram. It has to be about the music." Support is "The Alarm".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 17, 1987. U2 perform in Basel, Switzerland at St. Jacob's Stadion. Bono again walks out on stage while the road crew are setting up the stage to sing "Stand By Me" while it plays in the background over the speaker system. The show is poorly organized, and fans must show their ticket vouchers to exchange them for actual tickets--however, there is only one ticket exchange booth and fans are required to show identity papers in order to exchange their tickets. Many fans have not carried ID to the show, and as a result the crowd gets restless. By the time fans are allowed in without exchanging the vouchers for tickets, the support acts have already finished playing. A candy display is looted, and the looters throw their booty into the crowd. Gusting winds distort the bands sound, and those at the back of the venue hear only a garbled version of most of the songs. Support is "Big Audio Dynamite", Lou Reed, and "The Pretenders". After the show, U2 return to Dublin, Ireland to record some tracks for the B-sides of yet-to-be released singles.

"Feet On The Ground" - june 17, 1989. Adam joins Hothouse Flowers on stage at the Glastonbury Festival in Scotland for "Feet on The Ground".

"ZOOTV" tour - june 17, 1992. U2 perform in Sheffield, England at the Sheffield Arena. Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

"U2 loses battle over Hanover recording studio" - june 17, 2002. Dublin's planning board rules against U2 in an appeal to block a development which calls for demolition of the band's Hanover Quay recording studio. The docklands area will be redeveloped, and the project includes 1,200 new homes and the creation of 20,000 jobs in a development of shops, restaurants, bars and an open-air amphitheatre for concerts. Shortly after the planning board's ruling, U2 announces it has an agreement with the Dublin Docklands Development Authority (DDDA) for a replacement studio building which will enable them to remain in the docklands area. U2 had invested heavily in the development of the Hanover studios over the past seven years and had recorded four albums there: Passengers, Pop, the soundtrack for Million Dollar Hotel and All That You Can't Leave Behind.

"Elevation" tour - june 17, 2001 / New York, NY - Madison Square Garden - PJ Harvey. U2 is back at legendary Madison Square Garden for the first time since 1992 and the VIP area is packed. Before 'Desire,' Bono wishes Happy Birthday to Paul McGuinness, who turned 50 a day earlier. Edge wears red shirt#2.

June 17, 2005: U2 honored by British music industry

U2 receives a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Nordoff-Robbins Silver Clef Awards tonight in London. The entire band is on hand to accept the honor. Never at a loss for words, Bono thanks the band and gives a plug for the upcoming Live 8 concerts, too.

6/16/2007

JUNE 16: Bloomsday / Bono talks to BBC / Edge shares the Mojo with Siouxsie / Edge in Dublin For Rory !

Bloomsday - june 16, 1924 - "Today 16 of June 1924 twenty years after. Will anybody remember this date?" ...1924 - Friends send Joyce, who is in the hospital, a bouquet of white and blue hydrangeas. He writes in his notebook: "Today 16 of June 1924 twenty years after. Will anybody remember this date?"...
more on Bloomsday on: Irishcultureandcustoms

Bono talks to the BBC - june 16, 2005. With U2 enjoying an extended stay in England for the Vertigo Tour, Bono makes an appearance tonight on BBC2's Newsnight program. The topic is Africa, and host Jeremy Paxman enjoys a spirited debate with Bono on issues including trade, debt cancellation, and more.

Edge shares the Mojo with Siouxsie - june 16, 2005. Edge presents a Mojo Icon Award to Siouxsie Sioux at tonight's Mojo Awards in London. Some photos on Interference

Edge in Dublin For Rory - june 16, 2006 - U2 guitarist The Edge unveiled a sculpture to legendary guitarist Rory Gallagher in Dublin's Temple Bar. Making a rare offstage appearance The Edge said that Rory had "laid the road" which U2 had followed. "I just want to say Rory was an incredible influence on me as a guitar player," the U2 guitarist told a crowd of more than 1,000 people. The Edge said: "I got to know him a bit and I did call him my friend." The Edge said that Rory's legacy would be immortalised in his music. Rory Gallagher blazed the trail for other rock'n'roll bands who followed. "He laid the road on which we followed," he said. Lord Mayor Catherine Byrne recited lines from one of Gallagher's best-known songs 'Shadow Play' and said she was proud that the sculpture, a bronze replica of Rory's paint-stripped Fender Stratocaster would be a beacon for fans in the cultural quarter of Temple Bar. The Lord Mayor said the sculpture which was unveiled by The Edge was another historic milestone for the city of Dublin. Councillor Byrne described Rory Gallagher as a fantastic musician, an artist who was self-taught and who last played in Temple Bar in front of 50,000 fans. Donal Gallagher, Rory's brother and manager, said that the guitarist had loved Dublin adding that he had played some of his best performances there. He praised Mark Walsh of Keynote Music, the driving force behind the bronze guitar sculpture. Gallagher is regarded by many as the greatest-ever blues guitarist and during his lifetime sold 14 million albums. The bronze guitar unveiled by The Edge on the gable of the National Photographic Archive was sculpted by Bronze Art. Rory Gallagher, who was born in Ballyshannon Co Donegal but grew up in Cork City died in 1995 at the age of 47 from complications following a liver transplant. Thousands of people attended an open-air concert in Gallagher's memory at the Meeting House Square in Temple Bar following the unveiling of the sculpture. Gallagher´s passing completed it´s 11th anniversary on june 14th and many tributes all around he world...currently, a major documentary is being shot, with plans to premier the film at the end of the year. The film contains contributions from Johnny Marr, Edge, Pat Cash, Cameron Crowe to name but a few.
Edge's speech * Edge and Donald Gallagher * Edge with the fans

6/15/2007

JUNE 15: last 'Conspiracy Of Hope' show / Maria McKee joins U2 on stage / What is this strange ritual they call football? / 'Slow Dancing' / Bono and a fan recite the end of 'Bullet The Blue Sky' / 32nd VERTIGO show: premiere of "All I Want Is You" this tour, in Manchester !

"Conspiracy Of Hope" tour - june 15, 1986. U2 perform in East Rutherford, New Jersey at Giants Stadium, along with Sting, Peter Gabriel, and others in front of a sold out crowd of 50,000. It is the last concert for the "Conspiracy of Hope" Tour, which raises over $4 million for human rights causes around the world. The show is telecast on MTV and on the Westwood One Radio Network. Besides the usual bill, other acts include "ZZ Top", Whitney Houston, Jeff Beck, Pete Townshend, Third World, Carlos Santana, Run DMC, Fel Kuti, Miles Davis, Patti LaBelle and Sarah Vaughn. U2 storm the stage with a performance of "Pride(In the Name of Love)". During "Maggie's Farm", Bono leads the crowd in a "No More!" chant and plays to the MTV cameras. Nona Hendrix, Little Steven, Ruben Blades and Lou Reed join the band for "Sun City". Bono again joins "The Police" for "Invisible Sun" and also joins the rest of the "Conspiracy of Hope" tourmembers for Bob Dylan's "I Shall Be Released".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 15, 1987. U2 perform in Paris, France at Le Zenith. After the large crowds in Wembley on June 12th and 13th, 1987, U2 play a relaxed show in front of 12,000. During "Party Girl" Bono screams for Maria McKee to join him on stage, and the two drink champagne together. "There's no justice like Lone Justice!" he shouts. The two sing Lou Reed's "Sweet Jane"; "Here's a little song we learned from this girl," Bono explains and the two duet on the song, adding in the Rolling Stone's "Satisfaction". Support is "Lone Justice".

June 15 1992 U2 perform in Rotterdam, Holland at the Sport Paleis Ahoy. "One" is dedicated to two fans who have travelled from Dublin on their honeymoon, Patrick and Alison. While flipping between channels, Bono stops at a Holland vs. CIS game, which draws chants of "Ole! Ole! Ole!" from the crowd. "What is this strange ritual they call football? Holland 13, Russia 11. Could that be right?" Later on, Bono again talks about football, and the fact that players from the now-defunct Soviet Union are beating the Dutch: "Zero-Zero. Not good. I don't know, you give these people freedom and then they come and kick your ass..." Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

June 15 1993 U2 perform in Berlin, Germany at the Olympiastadion.

June 15 1997 U2 perform in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. On the second night, Bono performs "Slow Dancing" after the Edge's guitar system breaks down. Edge´s karaoke this night is "Sweet Caroline".

"Elevation" tour - june 15, 2001 / Washington, DC - MCI Center - PJ Harvey - Bono brings a fan on-stage near the end of 'Bullet the Blue Sky', shines the spotlight on the fan and together they recite the end of the song.

32nd 'VERTIGO' show - june 15, 2005 - Manchester, England - Manchester Stadium - Athlete, Idlewild - premiere of "All I Want Is You" this tour. That song, along with the addition of I Still Haven't Found... makes for a longer-than-usual main set, which might explain why the encore is shorter than normal. U2 on stage. Few Mexican waves, Vertigo was the perfect opener with amazing riff belted out by The Edge. Elevation...they did not start the song until Bono worked the crowd into singing half of it. silly lyrics.. but what an effect in the stadium. After a nice version of New Year's day with Edge filling the stadium with soundscapes. "I still Haven't Found What I´m Looking For" started with a slightly different guitar from Edge, the song started like the choir version in Rattle and Hum but merged into the original tune. This was followed by All I Want Is You. Miracle Drug which Bono dedicated to the nurses and doctors in the audience....Bono pulled a girl onto the stage and it seems she was never going to let him go...." Some photos on: U2-Vertigo-tour

6/14/2007

JUNE 14: McGonagle´s / "Invisible Sun" / Guitar Joe / "Daydream Believer / serenading the crowd... / "U2 Fan Celebration" / Silicon Valley / 31st VERTIGO show in Manchester!

"Early Ireland" - june 14, 1979 / Dublin, Ireland - McGonagle's.

"War" tour - june 13, 1983. U2 perform in Dallas, Texas at the Bronco Bowl. Bono's voice is strained from the tour schedule of the past week. Support is "The Alarm".

"Conspiracy Of Hope Tour" - june 13, 1986. U2 play the fifth of the Conspiracy of Hope concerts in Chicago, Illinois at the Rosemont Horizon. During his blindfolding act during "Maggie's Farm", Bono picks up a spotlight and spins around, illuminating the crowd. "Sun City" ends U2's set, and Bono joins "The Police" for "Invisible Sun".

"ZOOTV" tour - june 13, 1992. U2 perform in Kiel, Germany as the Ostseehalle. U2 perform in front of the smallest crowd of the tour -- 6,500(sell out). The venue is so small that the stage is pushed up against the back of the building. "This is a group from Munich," B.P. Fallon announces, "This is the Freaky Fuckin' Weirdos!" The crowd erupt as ZooTV starts. U2 plays an incredible show, with Bono performing well as The Fly. "Technology, man...you want to use it, I want to abuse it. I think this is a great rock & roll gig. It's so hot, you can't breath, that's kind of perfect for what we're doing right now! I'd like to thank you for lending us your country for the making of this album, this is a song called 'One'." "Until The End of The World" is particularily energetic, and features Bono shouting for more volume from The Edge's guitar: "Turn up that f---ing guitar, Joe(O'Herlihy)! Guitar Joe! GUITAR JOE!" "When Love Comes To Town" is improvised, "I was excited, I could turn on a thread, I wanted it up, and I don't know what I said, You want a fiver, buy some spare new pants, feel pretty stupid now, cause I got no chance..." A few lines from the B-side "Walk To The Water"(which has never been performed live) are added into "Bad", and Bono also sings a few lines from "Norwegian Wood" before "All I Want Is You". Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

"POPMart" tour - june 14, 1997 / Edmonton AB, Canada - Commonwealth Stadium - Fun Lovin' Criminals . Edge´s karaoke this night is "Daydream Believer."

"Elevation" tour - june 14, 2001 - Washington, DC - MCI Center - P.J. Harvey - "...The MCI Center stage was stripped down to just a few screens showing each of the band members in black and white. Several large silk screens made later appearances reflecting song lyrics. A heart-shaped catwalk surrounded the stage, adding to the more intimate atmosphere. The couple of hundred people who were able to fit inside the catwalk saw Bono perform up close. He and U2's lead singer and guitarist, the Edge, came to the front several times to playfully spar with each other, serenading the crowd...." from Washington Times.

"U2 fans descend on Cleveland for 'celebration'" - june 14, 2003. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and atu2.com host a "U2 Fan Celebration" in Cleveland to coincide with the opening of a new part of the Hall's ongoing U2 exhibit -- the artwork of graphic designers Four5One. The event, which includes U2 vendors selling collectibles and merchandise, an afternoon concert by the former U2 cover band EXIT, a video confessional, and a book signing by Four5One, is a huge success. Paid attendance at the Hall comes close to 3200 for the day, 160% higher than paid attendance the previous Saturday. The Four5One design team also host an evening presentation for a small group of ticket holders and discuss their history of working with U2 from the band's beginning to today.

"Bono goes Silicon Valley" - june 14, 2004. The Wall Street Journal reports today that Bono has joined a Silicon Valley venture capital fund named, appropriately, Elevation Partners. Bono's title will be managing director, and he'll reportedly help the firm with investments and buyouts of media and entertainment companies.

31st 'VERTIGO' show - june 14, 2005 - Manchester, England - Manchester Stadium - Snow Patrol, The Bravery. Edge´s guitar rang like a bell / Edge is simply amazing / premiere of "I Will Follow" / a little girl on stage / Bono thanks Gordon Brown and Tony Blair / Joy Division's Peter Hook, Ronan Keating, Manchester United's Gary Neville, comedian Peter Kay and my friend Ricardo were there! 'I Will Follow' is played for the first time this year. In Joy Division's hometown, Bono sings a bit of 'Transmission' and 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' during 'With or Without You' - 'Vertigo' - 'Stories for Boys.' The atmosphere was electric. Hearing every word Bono spoke, the Edge's guitar rang like a bell and Adam's evil baseline from one of the satellite pods was out of this world. "Love and Peace or Else" is the real revelation of this tour. It's a whole new animal live. Love was transcended tonight. A little girl walked onto the stage hand in hand with Bono and sat next to Larry during COBL had a night she will probably never forget. U2 PAY TRIBUTE TO MANCHESTER, read on NME. Some photos: 1, 2, 3. Flickr1, Flickr2 and U2-Verigo-tour

6/13/2007

JUNE 13: Bono´s voice at Bronco Bowl / 5th Conspiracy Of Hope concert / Edge sung 'Stand By Me' - who run...into the arms of Margaret Thatcher / Guitar Joe / Bono caught smoking in The Clarence / U2 TV Show "TV Total" / U2 at BBC 2´s Culture show/ Music Rising received Halo Award

"War" tour - june 13, 1983. U2 perform in Dallas, Texas at the Bronco Bowl. Bono's voice is strained from the tour schedule of the past week. Support is "The Alarm".

"Conspiracy Of Hope" tour - june 13, 1986. U2 play the fifth of the Conspiracy of Hope concerts in Chicago, Illinois at the Rosemont Horizon. During his blindfolding act during "Maggie's Farm", Bono picks up a spotlight and spins around, illuminating the crowd. "Sun City" ends U2's set, and Bono joins "The Police" for "Invisible Sun".

"The Joshua Tree" tour - june 13, 1987. U2 perform in London, England at Wembley Stadium. This second night sees Bono walking out on stage while the road crew are still setting up the stage--he sings along to the background track of "Stand By Me". The Edge joins him on stage and sings a verse on his own. During "Pride(In the Name of Love)", Bono reminds the crowd of the last time U2 played Wembley Stadium--Live Aid, July 13, 1985-- "Two years ago, we played on this stage and a great work was done in the name of love! Have you forgotten? I haven't forgotten! So we continue, In the name of Love!" Bono adds Van Morrison's "Gloria" to "Exit". The ending of "Bullet the Blue Sky" is changed to reflect the elections in the UK a few days before, "I was walking through the streets of London, walking through the streets of Kilburn, Brixton and Harlesden, and I fel I was a long way from San Salvador, but still the sky was ripped open, the rain pouring through the gaping wound, pelting the women and children, waiting in line to the hospitals...waiting in line to pick up money....pelting the women and children who run...who run...into the arms of Margaret Thatcher." Support for the second night is "Lone Justice", "The Pogues", and Lou Reed.

"ZOOTV" tour - june 13, 1992. U2 perform in Kiel, Germany as the Ostseehalle. U2 perform in front of the smallest crowd of the tour -- 6,500(sell out). The venue is so small that the stage is pushed up against the back of the building. "This is a group from Munich," B.P. Fallon announces, "This is the Freaky Fuckin' Weirdos!" The crowd erupt as ZooTV starts. U2 plays an incredible show, with Bono performing well as The Fly. "Technology, man...you want to use it, I want to abuse it. I think this is a great rock & roll gig. It's so hot, you can't breath, that's kind of perfect for what we're doing right now! I'd like to thank you for lending us your country for the making of this album, this is a song called 'One'." "Until The End of The World" is particularily energetic, and features Bono shouting for more volume from The Edge's guitar: "Turn up that fucking guitar, Joe(O'Herlihy)! Guitar Joe! GUITAR JOE!" "When Love Comes To Town" is improvised, "I was excited, I could turn on a thread, I wanted it up, and I don't know what I said, You want a fiver, buy some spare new pants, feel pretty stupid now, cause I got no chance..." A few lines from the B-side "Walk To The Water"(which has never been performed live) are added into "Bad", and Bono also sings a few lines from "Norwegian Wood" before "All I Want Is You". Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

"Bono caught smoking in The Clarence" - june 13, 2004. Bono is seen smoking a cigarette while hanging out at The Clarence Hotel with members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. In doing so, Bono is in violation of Ireland's new ban on all public smoking. Hotel staff are reportedly upset by the incident because they've been warned that smoking in the hotel could lead to being fired. Bono later apologizes to reporters: "It was the wee small hours. I was in the company of people from out of town who didn't know about the ban and for a moment nor did I. I was quickly reminded by the staff and a few friends. I apologised then and I apologise now."

U2 TV Show "TV Total" - june 13, 2005 - Cologne, Germany - Brainpool TV Studios - U2 made a rare TV appereance on German television. They performed 2 Songs (City Of Blinding Lights and Vertigo) and had a nice interview segment with the host. Edge's face describing the recording of "Numb" is priceless. U2 perform in studio during a recording of the German TV show 'TV Total.' In between the two songs, the band is interviewed by host Stefan Raab. Bono counts 1, 2, 3, 14 in German to start 'Vertigo' (Ein, zwei, drei... vierzehn). The program airs later the same day. Some awesome photos on Interference

U2 at BBC 2´s Culture show - june 13, 2005 - Edge said still is excited to be on tour - U2 party and politics on Culture Show - "First up, an exclusive TV interview with U2, on the eve of the UK leg of their world tour. After twenty five years together as a band, U2's music has become closely associated with their high profile campaign against world poverty. Their lead singer, Bono, is now courted by politicians like Tony Blair and George Bush. As the Live Eight concerts once again focus attention on the campaigning role of music, Mariella Frostrup met up with U2 to talk about the relationship between their music and their politics." The broadcast featured brief clips of the opening show in Brussels as well as an interview with all members of the band. The Edge claimed going out on tour is still exciting because they have to prove they are still good, and because they made a great album. Bono added that was a great statement for a Presbyterian to make. Larry said they'd been 'given a lot' and that they'd 'got away with it' a lot - another reason to go out and prove themselves. Bono said 'Boy' and 'How to dismantle an atomic bomb' have got a lot in common, the first was 'holding on to innocence' and the other 'looking back to the time you were still naive'. He said that the band, when they first started, were 17, 18 years old, but were as naive as 14, 15 year olds, coming from Ireland: 'We knew nothing.' Trying to explain their current show with its mix of politics and music, The Edge said 'It's got to mean something', while Bono described it going from Punk rock, Vegas, political rally to gospel show, before launching into a party broadcast on the obscenity of rich rockstars preaching from the stage. His justification: 'We are asking governments, not the audience.' Using the plural 'we' he said they (we sincerely hope he means the 'One' organisation rather than the band) were after political muscle in the next USA election as the cause was 'an issue you can run on.' Going back to the subject of U2, he closed off with a hopeful: 'One day we're going to get it right.'"

Music Rising received Halo Award - june 13, 2006 - New York City - Music Rising, a campaign launched to replace the lost or destroyed instruments of the musicians affected by the Gulf Region hurricanes, received the Gold Cause Marketing Halo Award for Best Transactional Campaign at the fourth annual Cause Marketing Forum conference on Tuesday, June 13 in New York. The campaign, launched by U2’s the Edge, producer Bob Ezrin, Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, The Guitar Center Music Foundation, and MusiCares has aided over 1,600 Gulf Region musicians.

6/12/2007

JUNE 12: 72.000 to see an Irish band / "Daydream Believer" / Bono takes a ringing cell phone from a fan in 2001 / red shirt #7 / City single can't beat the Crazy Frog / 30th VERTIGO show!

"The Joshua Tree" - june 12, 1987. U2 perform in London, England at Wembley Stadium. U2 perform in front of 72,000 fans each night. The first night's show is remarkable in that U2 themselves are amazed at the site of the 72,000 fans that have come to see them. Says Bono backstage, "I can't believe that many people came to see an Irish band..." Support for the first night is "World Party", "Spear of Destiny", and "The Pretenders".

"ZOOTV - Zooropa" tour - june 12, 1993. U2 perform in Cologne, Germany at Mungersdorferstadion.

"POPMart" tour - june 12, 1997. U2 perform in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Edge has flu, and this night he sung "Daydream Beleiver" into his karaoke.

"Elevation" tour - june 12, 2001 / Philadelphia, PA - First Union Center - PJ Harvey. During the encore, Bono takes a ringing cell phone from a female fan in the first row and answers it. He tells the girl's Mom that her daughter is fine. Edge wears red shirt #7 this night.

City single can't beat the Crazy Frog - june 12, 2005. U2's "City of Blinding Lights" single debuts at No. 2 on the UK charts, falling short of Crazy Frog's version of "Axel F", a mobile phone ring tone which tops the singles chart for the third week in a row.


30th 'VERTIGO' show GELSENKIRCHEN - june 12, 2005 - Gelsenkirchen, Germany - Schalke Arena - The Thrills, Feeder - Edge sings "Party Girl" 'oh oh oh' - TUTUTUTU / no "Everyone" intro / Billy Corgan, Wim Wenders and Herbert Groenemeyer were there. For the first time, the 'Everyone' intro is not used before tonight's show. Bono thanks Herbert Groenemeyer and Wim Wenders before 'One.' Songs rehearsed earlier include 'Crumbs From Your Table', 'All I Want Is You,' 'Original of the Species,' 'Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses,' and 'With or Without You.' Only the latter is played tonight. Edge sings 'oh oh oh': (A blasting version as usual from ALL BECAUSE OF YOU opend the last part of the show. Followed by an smooth version of YAHWEH. Now Bono smiled on the Edge and said "ok because of the special location" an the Edge went into PARTY GIRL, Bono went to the Edge and said "you going to sing this" and The Edge sang "oh oh oh" because he was so surprised Bono continued with vocals, a really great version. Edge sings TUTUTUTU: (..."Party Girl" was so funny. Bono wanted to sing it but couldn't remember the lyrics. He then gave the mic to Edge but the only thing he sang was TUTUTUTU. So it was the audience that had to help out...) Some photos on U2-Vertigo-tour

6/11/2007

JUNE 11: 4th show of "Conspiracy Of Hope" tour / 2 ABBA´s members with U2 on stage / Bono applauds G8 debt cancellation announcement !

"War" tour - june 11, 1983. U2 perform in Austin, Texas at The Meadows. Support is "The Alarm".

"Conspiracy Of Hope" tour - june 11, 1986. U2 play the fourth of the Conspiracy of Hope concerts in Atlanta, Georgia at The Omni. On this night, the three members of "The Police" reunite--and headline the next three shows. U2 perform before them, and end their set with "Bad", and then an incredible version of "Sun City"/"I Shall Be Released" are linked into "The Police"'s set. Bono and Lou Reed sing along on Reed's "Vicious". After the show, the tour entourage again retire into the lounge, where Bono pulls Reed up on the lounge's stage for another performance of "Vicious".

"ZOOTV" tour - june 11, 1992. U2 perform in Stockholm, Sweden at the Globen. The atmosphere for the second night's show is electric. MTV reporting crews are interviewing fans for their piece on the show; tonight, a satellite connection will be made between the venue and the living room of a the winner of an MTV contest. After "The Fly", Bono 'stops' in at the winner's house. "Hey, who's the dude with the ponytail?" Bono asks. "I'm John," the winner explains. The conversation isn't particularily interesting and John reveals that he works in an female underwear textile factory in Nottinghamshire, England. John and his friends are shown partying and drinking in his living room throughout the night, and later in the show offers to send John and his girlfriend to the US to see U2 perform there in the fall. "One" is dedicated to "a great friend and one of the greatest photographers ever -- this is for Anton Corbijn." The crowd react wildly upon recognizing "Dancing Queen", and become even louder when Bono introduces Bjorn(Ulaeus) and Benny(Andersson) from Abba. Bono hugs both of them, and does a "Wayne's World" 'We're not worthy!' bow. The two Abba members walk off the stage and the crowd sing "Dancing Queen" for several minutes more. When U2 leave the stage, John from Nottinghamshire leads the crowd in the "Wave". Bono thanks the crowd for the three shows, and promises to return next summer. Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

Bono applauds G8 debt cancellation announcement - june 11, 2005. Led by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and U.S. President George Bush, the G8 nations today announced an agreement to cancel more than $40 billion of African debt. The announcement comes less than a month before the G8 Summit in Scotland, when African aid is expected to be a major topic of conversation. Bono issues a statement after today's debt agreement which mirrors a message he's been talking about on the road with U2 during the Vertigo Tour: "The journey of equality took another step today, and broke free millions of people in some of the poorest countries from the bondage of immoral and unjust debts. The leadership of the jubilee campaigners is bearing fruit once more, we really owe those people, from church basements to national treasuries who have worked so long and so hard for this day. There's long nights ahead of us all to build up the speed and accelerating for a comprehensive debt-aid-trade deal for the poorest people in the poorest countries at the G8 Gleneagles."

6/10/2007

JUNE 10: only 15% (crowd) / except Edge, 3 U2 play a secret gig in Atlanta / Anton Corbijn photographs tonights show from on and off the stage / Bono and Larry - The Late Show / Bono and his first online chat / 29th 'VERTIGO' show / Bono and DATA got: G8 reaches deal for world's poor !

War" tour - june 10, 1983. U2 perform in Norman, Oklahoma at the Lloyd Nobel Center. The size of the crowd is the smallest since the pre-"War" concerts--only 2000 seats out of 13000 are sold.

"3 U2 at a secret gig in Atlanta" - june 10, 1986. Members of U2 play a secret gig in Atlanta, Georgia at the Ramada Hotel Lounge with the rest of the Amnesty International "Conspiracy of Hope" tour entourage. The Edge is not in the Lounge, as he has retired to his room for the evening.

"ZOOTV" tour - june 10, 1992. U2 perfom in Stockholm, Sweden at the Globen. U2 is performing in the middle of the European Soccer Championships which are being held in Stockholm. Sweden and France open the championships with a match -- during the show, Bono flips to the game and the crowd go wild upon realizing that Sweden has already scored. "Sweden 5, France 0", Bono slyly says at the end of "Dancing Queen". Anton Corbijn, who shot the now famous "Joshua Tree" cover, also photographs tonights show from on and off the stage. Tonight's show has 1000 tickets unsold behind the stage. Support is B.P. Fallon and "Fatima Mansions".

"Bono and Larry do The Late Show" - Bono and Larry appear together on "The Late Show with David Letterman." They are interviewed for nearly 10 minutes, but do not perform any songs.

"Bono takes part in his first online chat" - june 10, 1999. Bono takes part in his first online Internet chat during a session hosted by Jubilee 2000 to promote their "Drop the Debt" campaign. Microsoft officials claim the chat is one of the most popular they have ever hosted.

29th 'VERTIGO' show - june 10, 2005 - Brussels, Belgium - Roi Baudouin Stadium - The Thrills, Snow Patrol - Young bands would struggle to create a guitar line as nasty and vivid as the one The Edge churns out on Love And Peace / the most innovative guitarist in rock since Jimi Hendrix! - The first show of the European Vertigo Tour features a brand new stage design that includes a large LED video wall behind the band, and two b-stages that extend out into the crowd but don't connect to enclose fans like the ellipse did in N. America. The setlist is largely similar to the 1st leg, but 'Vertigo' opens and closes the show (replacing '40'). A crowd of 50,000 in Belgium...opening chords of Vertigo to ' well' the closing chords of Vertigo two and a quarter hours later. 'I want to introduce someone to you,' said Bono, arriving on the stage to an tumultuous reception. 'I want to introduce Larry Mullen Jnr to you... Adam Clayton to you...The Edge to you...Unos, Dos, Tres....Catorce!' Until The End of the World made its tour debut tonight, amongst twenty one songs from six albums stretching from Electric Co from 1979 to All Because of You from 2004. 'Come on you little box of chocolates,' he (Bono) suggested, with a timely cultural reference. 'I'm going to take a bite out of you!' Early on a helicopter was buzzing the King Baudouin Stadium, evidently filled with passengers who couldn't get a ticket for the show. 'Take a picture of this Mr Helicopter'...'Beautiful Day' was completed with a great borrow from George Harrison, 'little darling, here come the sun, it's alright'...Sunday Bloody Sunday - tonight the symbols were projected in ten foot tall red letters. 'I'd like to dedicate this next song to a great Irishwoman who is here tonight, Mary Robinson,' said Bono as the band segued into Running To Stand Still. 'She has been a fighter for human rights all over the world, a tireless and extraordinary woman.'...UN Declaration of Human Rights...'from the charity of Live Aid to the justice of Live 8'....An excorciating version of Zoo Station, including some gigantic visuals of the band, marked the first encore while The Fly, accompanied by Mark Pellington's new text-based video ('The secret is yourself'), saw the volume ramped back up to max again. 'Not bad for the first night of the stadium shows,' said Gavin Friday....Young bands would struggle to create a guitar line as nasty and vivid as the one. The Edge churns out on Love And Peace. The entire stadium is a throbbing, pogoing mass. They play "Elevation" before Edge multi-tasks at the piano and guitar for "New Year's Day", which segues into "Beautiful Day" - rescued from its Premiership hell. The Edge turns out to be U2's secret weapon and remains arguably the most innovative guitarist in rock since Jimi Hendrix. His stellar playing shines through time and again, his trademark atmospheric chimes sending shivers down the spine as he glitters all over "City Of Blinding Lights"....As the Edge windmills through "Until The End Of the World" while Bono jumps up on the spot before planting a kiss on Adam Clayton's cheek. Some good photos on: U2-vertigo-tour, here and here

Bono and DATA got: G8 reaches deal for world's poor - June 10, 2005 - London - Announcing the deal at a meeting of G8 finance ministers in London, the UK's Gordon Brown said now was "not a time for timidity but a time for boldness"....Conditions: Under the deal, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the African Development Fund will immediately write off 100% of the money owed to them by 18 countries - a total of $40bn (£22bn; 33bn euros). Between them, it will save those countries a total of $1.5bn a year in debt repayments.... The total package - which needs to be approved by the lending institutions - could be worth more than $55bn.... bbc