NOVEMBER 17: The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert / David Bowie attended the concert / "Perfect Day" is released / "With Or Without You" / Edge jams with Wyclef / "U2 Go Home" / Ali-Solidarity Award in Spain / U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) / Edge Visits New Orleans and performed / Edge and Bob Ezrin stablish Music Rising / Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert / Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend!

"October" tour - november 17, 1981- U2 perform in Providence, Rhode Island at Center Stage.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 17, 1987 - U2 perform in Los Angeles, California at Memorial Coliseum. The shows falls 9.025 tickets short of being a sellout. Bono dedicates "Trip Through Your Wires" to the Los Angelese Police Department, referring to the shooting of the "Where the Streets Have No Name" video on March 27, 1987. The Olympic Flame is lit for the concert, marking only the fourth time this is done: Twice for the Olympic Games, once for the Pope and now, once for U2. Bono pulls up a man from the crowd during "People Get Ready" so he can play with the band. At the end of the song, the man hands Bono a demo tape.
Support for the first night is Steve Jones, and "The Pretenders".

"LoveTown" tour - november 17, 1989 - U2 perform in Sydney, Australia at the Entertainment Centre. U2 return to Sydney to make up the three cancelled shows from October 22,24 and 25, 1989. On the first night, Bono quickly comments and apologizes for his illness a few weeks earlier, "A few weeks back I had some real trouble trying to sing. I discovered you have some very psychedelic germs over here!" David Bowie and his current band "Tin Machine" attend the show and meet U2 after the show.
All three shows are filmed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein and are aired in a documentary that airs in Australia and Europe later in the year. Two female singers, Cheri and Zan, provide backing vocals for all three nights' encores.

Perfect Day - November 17, 1997 - Chrysalis Records releases a version of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day", which features Bono, David Bowie, Joan Armatrading, Boyzone and others. All profits are donated to the BBC's Children in Need Appeal.

"With Or Without You" named one of Top Pop Songs Since 1963 - november 17, 2000 - A panel of music "experts" put together by MTV and Rolling Stone magazine vote "With or Without You" as the #8 song in the "Top 100 Pop Songs Since 1963."

"Edge jams with Wyclef Jean in Dublin" - november 17, 2002 - The Edge joins Wyclef Jean on stage tonight during Jean's concert at the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You," and some reports suggest they jammed through a medley of other U2 songs. Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Go on the Edge! Sunday - November 17 2002....the night's biggest secret saw Wyclef perform with The Edge on stage. Together they rocked through a medley of U2 classics, and a dub version 'Knocking on Heaven's Door'. Queuing to get into the Ambassador Theatre in Dublin, the crowd was looking pretty bling-bling (well, as bling-bling as we could considering that temperature dictated wearing a parka). There was definitely a bit of a buzz in the air - Wyclef Jean was in the house and you could bet your low-slung jeans, it was going to be one mutha of a gig....Early on in the gig, Wyclef's proved to us how much Brooklyn and Ireland (and more specifically, Wyclef and Bono) have in common by treating us to some "Sunday Bloody Sunday" riffs. But further, entirely unsuspected delights lie in store. Apparently, there is a Mr. Dave Evans in the house. He's here as Witnness' guest and not in any kind of professional capacity. Wyclef says that although he has not discussed this with the Edge, it would be his dream come true if the Edge were to come on stage and perform with him... "Go on the Edge", the crowd urges as all eyes turn towards him. A few minutes later, and nobody can quite believe it - the Edge has joined Wyclef and they're making the most beautiful guitar noises the world has ever heard. It's amazing. For fifteen solid minutes, Wyclef and the Edge wield their instruments, playing classic U2 and they're enjoying it more than the audience is. The two reportedly play an instrumental version of "With or Without You." Edge returns to the stage a second time later in the show to join in on a cover of "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Musical event of the year? Do you even need to ask that question?...


"U2 Go Home" store shelves - november 17, 2003 - U2 Go Home - Live from Slane Castle is released worldwide today. The release is the first DVD-only release of U2's career, and is taken from U2's September 1, 2001, performance at the historic Slane Castle north of Dublin. It's the second Elevation Tour concert to be released as a home video. Fans in North America have to wait the usual extra day for their November 18th release date.

Ali - Solidarity Award in Spain - November 17, 2005 - Wife of U2 singer Bono, Ali Hewson, poses for photographers with the Solidarity Award for the company Edun, founded by Ali and Bono, during the Marie Claire Awards ceremony at Madrid's French Embassy in Spain late Thursday 17 November 2005. Photos: interference

U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry and Dave Skaff (The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry) - November 17, 2005 - The Parnelli Awards: The 'Academy Awards' of the Live Concert Industry - Those Behind the Magic of U2, the Rolling Stones, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Day and Toby Keith Honored in 5th Annual Award Ceremony...U2 was honored twice: Jake Berry received the prestigious Production Manager of the Year Award for his work with the group, and Monitor Mixer of the Year went to Dave Skaff.... Photo: U2's production manager, Jake Berry, receives the Parnelli Production Manager of the Year Award here

Edge Visits New Orleans and performed - November 17, 2005 - Edge has visited with musicians in New Orleans in support of the Music Rising initiative. At Guitar Centre in the city five local men shared their stories with Edge and a few customers were lucky enough to hear Edge jam with Walter 'Wolfman' Washington. Music Rising will formally announce on Monday.






Edge and Bob form Music Rising - November 17, 2005 - In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
In hurricane's wake, U2 guitarist brings instruments to Gulf Coast musicians. U2 guitarist the Edge and producer Bob Ezrin have teamed with Gibson Guitar and music instrument retailer the Guitar Center to create Music Rising, a charity that provides instruments to Gulf Coast musicians displaced by Hurricane Katrina. "New Orleans is a crucible for great music," says the Edge, who fell in love with the city during U2's 1981 Boy tour. "The idea that it would be just a place of history for music is awful to me. Coming from Dublin in the Seventies, when music was something you had to search out, I'd never dreamt that somewhere like New Orleans could exist. Music was coming out of the walls. It seemed not just a form of escapism, but like it was weaved into everybody's life." After Hurricane Katrina, the Edge met up with Ezrin -- who heads the board of the Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation, which donates new and refurbished instruments to school and community music programs -- and they agreed to create a program that would restore music to the ravished city. "We both concluded instantly that the human disaster was indescribable," Ezrin says, "but what was being wiped out at the same time was the culture of the entire region." Ezrin, who has produced the likes of Pink Floyd, Nine Inch Nails and the Darkness, had already contacted Guitar Center CEO Marty Albertson and Gibson CEO Henry Jusciewicz about creating a custom Gibson guitar -- details of which are yet to be announced -- to raise money for flood victims. Albertson and Jusciewicz pledged a minimum of $1 million from the sale of the guitar to the effort and even agreed to eat the design and manufacturing costs. "I wish every CEO of a major company in America would do even a fraction of what these guys do," Ezrin says. After Music Rising reaches its primary goal of replacing every single instrument lost to professional musicians in the Gulf Coast region, the program hopes to expand to reach local churches, marching bands and schools. "It's clearly achievable," the Edge says. "Something should be done and not just because New Orleans deserves it, but because the world needs New Orleans."
Those wishing to make donations can do so at Music Rising. From Rolling Stone

Edge & Bono and Pearl Jam at Make Poverty History concert - November 17, 2006 - Melbourne / Australia - Bono and Edge performed with Pearl Jam tonight, part of the Make Poverty History concert in Melbourne ("It's a beautiful day," said Pearl Jam leader Eddie Vedder, before launching into Neil Young's Rockin' in the Free World). A capacity audience of 20,000 at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl saw Edge and Bono join Pearl Jam for Neil Young's Rocking in the Free World - Edge turning in a particularly scintillating performance. 'To the Make Poverty History campaigners, we salute you,' said Bono. 'Keep on rocking in the free world. Politicians have to do what you tell them to do.' The G-20 - finance ministers from twenty nations who represent two-thirds of the world’s population - are meeting in Melbourne this weekend. Campaigners are demanding that rich countries deliver on the agreed UN target of allocating 0.7% of gross national income to international aid. Next month the two bands will be together on stage again - when Pearl Jam join U2 for the final date of Vertigo 06 in Honolulu. heraldsun


Bono appeared on the ABC´s Lateline Television Program last night to talk about African Poverty and the G20 summit in Melbourne this weekend - November 17, 2006 - Irish rock star Bono says Prime Minister John Howard should look at increasing Australia’s aid to third world countries as a way of fighting terrorism. Touring Australia with his band U2, Bono is promoting the Make Poverty History campaign. He wants Mr Howard to commit to giving 0.7 per cent of the nation’s GDP to developing countries by 2015. Bono has told the ABC TV’s Lateline program that if Mr Howard is not convinced to do so on compassionate grounds, he should consider it as a security investment. "People in the rest of the world are not sure if we in the West, what our values are, do we have any values,” he said. “This is the way they meet us - they either meet us through trade, or through aid, or through the military. "I would suggest that this is a better investment, if you like, of the Treasury’s money in making friends with potential enemies.” Bono sorry: Meanwhile Bono says he regrets his initial response to the suggestion of a meeting with Mr Howard on the issue of aid to third world nations. Earlier, Bono said he would only be interested in meeting Mr Howard to discuss the Make Poverty History campaign if the Prime Minister was serious about the problems underdeveloped countries face. Bono now says he is sorry for appearing arrogant and would love to meet Mr Howard. “I think it was fairer to say I was just a little miffed that he didn’t seem that interested in the meeting or indeed the issues,” he said. “I have a great deal of admiration for him. He’s led your country to great prosperity, but he has also led your country to the bottom of the league table in terms of involvement with the world’s most vulnerable populations.” read, watch and hear