NOVEMBER 24: "When Love Comes To Town" (rehearsal and performance) was recorded / Free Your Mind / "In America" the movie / Original Of The Species video premieres / U2 cancels shoot / Edge and Bono starring Dave Stewart's HBO series 'Off The Record' / 126th VERTIGO show: Auckland-New Zealand-Bono surprised fans by wearing a jacket displaying the Warriors logo when he emerged on stage with U2 on Friday evening-One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll

"Boy" tour - november 24, 1980 - U2 perform in Coventry, England at the Polytechnic School.

"October tour - november 24, 1981 - U2 perform in Passaic, New Jersey at the Hitsville North Nightclub.

"The Joshua Tree" tour - november 24, 1987 - B.B. King supports U2 at a gig in the Tarrant County Convention Centre in Forth Worth, Texas. The second night also features an incredible performance of "Bullet The Blue Sky", and tonight, Bono launches into a commentary about television evangelists: "I see Jerry Falwell and I know he's looking just at me. I said Jerry, 'What do you want from me, Jerry--my MONEY?' Oral Robers, 'What do you want from me, my MONEY?' And I see this hand coming out of the TV screen into the houses of the sick and the old, opening their bags, emptying their life savings. And I see those dollar notes disappearing back into the TV screen so it can build some glass cathedral. FUCK THAT! We don't need a glass cathedral from you! You're already a see-through soul!" For the second encore, B.B. King and his band are introduced. "I wrote this song for him," Bono confesses and introduces "When Love Comes To Town". The footage of the rehearsals and performance this evening end up in the "Rattle And Hum" rockumentary.


ZOOTV - Outside Broadcast" tour - november 24, 1992 - perform in Mexico City, Mexico at the Palacio De Los Deportes. ZooTV makes one last North American appearance with arena size shows.

Bono accepts award for Amnesty International - november 24, 1994 - Bono accepts the "Free Your Mind" award on behalf of Amnesty International at the MTV European Music Awards in Germany. Bono tells the crowd, "Free your mind and your ass will follow."


Bono sees "In America" - november 24, 2003 - Bono attends the premiere of Jim Sheridan's new film, In America, in New York city. Bono co-wrote the theme song for the film, "Time Enough for Tears."

Original Of The Species video premieres - November 24, 2005 - World Premiere, directed by Catherine Owens, for Original of the Species. The video, a dazzling work of futuristic animation, is one of the most unusual the band have ever made. It will make its TV debut on VH1 today (Thursday), airing on the hour every hour.. The video was conceived and directed by Catherine Owens, a long time friend and collaborator of U2 who is responsible for many of the striking visual concepts in the band's live show. The idea grew out of a piece that she was working on to accompany the song during the Vertigo Tour. The band had their heads 'scanned' in Chicago in September (this will make sense when you've watched it!) and digital effects were developed in New York and LA. The live performance element was filmed backstage at Madison Square Garden in early October and this version of the song, currently at radio in the US, is the one that the band recorded in Holland over the summer with Garrett Lee. Watch on U2.com

U2 cancels shoot - November 24, 2005 - Irish pop group U2, which was to have shot a new video in Montreal during its visit, cancelled the shoot. No reason was given. The video was to have been shot at Mel's Studio on Sunday, but the name of the song was not revealed. Lead singer Bono arrived Tuesday, and met with businessmen Daniel Langlois and Guy Laliberte. The group's Vertigo tour ends in Ottawa next Friday. The Montreal concerts at the Bell Centre tomorrow and Monday are sold out.

Edge and Bono starring Dave Stewart's HBO series 'Off The Record' - November 24, 2006 - The new HBO series features leading musicians 'telling their stories in intimate conversations' with Stewart, one-time Eurythmic and now acclaimed producer. The series doesn't kick off proper till the new year but Friday's one-off preview is a U2 special. 'Each edition (it says here) of the new series will be shot before an audience of fellow musicians and fans, and spotlight performers from the worlds of rap, rock, soul, folk, punk, country and blues. Artists will be able to tell their stories in an uncensored environment, citing the songs and performers who influenced them on their journey, as well as breaking down their own songs, while drawing on music videos, concert footage and even home movies.' The production credits underline the musical credentials - not only is it hosted by Stewart but executive producer is Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records.
Dave Stewart, who has heard every question a musician could get and uses that experience to get U2's famous duo talking about the studio, the songs, the road and the road to stardom. Stewart's biz cred and a casual, intimate setting help distinguish "Off the Record" from the legions of similar programs. He asks solid if sometimes rambling questions, though his first is hardly his best. After recounting some of U2's myriad accomplishments, Stewart asks, "How the hell do you do it?" But the host's decades-long acquaintance with his subjects, along with the show's eschewing of tight structure, help the hour play more like a friendly chat than just another interview. The Edge comes off as a humble bloke-next-door type, while Bono mostly reins in his usual rock-star persona, save for the gaudy glasses. The revered singer does, however, offer typically indirect and meandering answers that often are as open to interpretation as his lyrics. The most enjoyable part of the show is when Stewart plays a sort of a musical Rorschach test using album covers. Out of his briefcase come records ranging from the Clash and Television to the Beatles and Frank Sinatra. Bono and the Edge eagerly discuss the effects each had on them and their band. After debuting with one of rock's biggest acts, it will be interesting to see how "Off the Record" plays in future installments.

Bono says something modest about his talents, the Edge disagrees with him and praises him, the audience applauds. Then the Edge puts himself down, Bono builds him up, the audience applauds (Off the Record) - HBO's "Off the Record" is a new late-night interview show that gives musical artists more than 4 minutes to talk. It's hosted by Eurythmics alum Dave Stewart, who is not bent on spit-balling one-liners to keep his audience perky and awake. And the artists -- beginning, tonight at 11, with Bono and the Edge from U2 -- are allowed to speak in their native tongue, that being Expletivish. When Bono utters the same curse that he used on the 2003 Golden Globes, and that invoked the ire of the FCC, no one blinks. So it's hard to quibble with this latest addition to America's nonstop talk-a-thon, which moves from "Today" through "Ellen" and "Oprah" to "Entertainment Tonight" and "Nightline" and "The Tonight Show." "On the Record" allows Bono and the Edge to ramble on about their group creative process, their history as lads in Ireland, and their influences (Patti Smith, the Clash, and the Ramones, who Bono labels "the reason we exist"). And they are not interrupted by commercial breaks, which is always a plus. But praising a show for what it doesn't do doesn't mean it's good. The first episode of "On the Record"-- it's actually a preview, since the series doesn't begin in earnest until next year -- comes too close to looking like a mutual admiration society. The conversational pattern goes like this: Bono says something modest about his talents, the Edge disagrees with him and praises him, the audience applauds. Then the Edge puts himself down, Bono builds him up, the audience applauds. It all starts to seem like a hokey way to buff each other's egos, with Stewart on hand to keep the gushing going. Clearly, Stewart is not aiming to be the next Dick Cavett or Charlie Rose. He's not interested in the cultural significance of U2 and political rock 'n' roll so much as in running back over the more inspiring moments of the band's career, including recording "Achtung Baby" in Germany, singing "One" as a song about the band itself, and how Bono's experiences in El Salvador led to "Bullet the Blue Sky." Stewart positions himself as a rock version of James Lipton of "Inside the Actors Studio," running over stories already familiar to fans while hoping for some fresh repartee along the way. When Bono says about the Beatles, "Deep down, I think we have them on the run," Stewart doesn't pursue the potentially rich vein. While the Edge is not prone to vagaries, Bono and Stewart become a little too esoteric and ethereal at times -- to the point where you're not sure exactly what, if anything, is being said. But the three of them make an affable trio, even if they don't really take the dialogue as far as they could given the freedom they have. They banter and tease one another, and the hour passes effortlessly with a mild rattle and a dull hum. boston.com
Edge also notes, not for the first time, how U2 came out of the punk movement, where the lasting mantra was simplicity (Off the Record) - At this point, getting U2's Bono to talk - about anything - is no harder than getting a dog to wag its tail at a fistful of fresh bones. But he seems to keep finding new audiences, or at least old ones that don't mind hearing a few greatest hits. People who have followed U2 over the years won't hear radically new material when Bono and U2 guitarist The Edge sit down for this hour-long "Off the Record" session with interviewer Dave Stewart. Neither will they be bored. When The Edge talks about playing guitar on mathematical principles, that's turf he's covered before. And yes, the predictable sound- wave patterns of feedback may be a discussion in which the average music fan has only passing interest. But he gets away with it because U2 some time ago transcended "average" in the rock world and therefore has so much recognizable music as reference points. Familiar songs and a large, devoted core of listeners win them considerable latitude in an interview like this. On the other hand, they're smart enough to realize they should focus on matters to which the listener relates. Stewart holds up a Patti Smith album, for instance, and Bono immediately says she is the reason he bares his soul in his lyrics. Edge, real name David Evans, talks about how Bryan Ferry's experimentation gave U2 the kind of creative inspiration that the Beatles or the Who gave to an earlier generation of rockers. Edge also notes, not for the first time, how U2 came out of the punk movement, where the lasting mantra was simplicity. Of less interest, perhaps, are passages where Bono goes political. While there are no speeches here on Third World debt, he does declare that at one time he may have been naive about the oppression of communism. That sort of rumination doubtless reflects Bono's absorption of lessons and thoughts from the non-rock 'n' roll people with whom he has hung out. Since he shows no signs of shedding that part of his life, most fans have either embraced or tolerated it. For purposes of this program, though, the more interesting Bono remains the one who recounts - again, not for the first time - that U2's first gig as a band was surprisingly good, "and the next 25 were awful." That's interesting because out of it, somehow, these two guys plus Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. formed a remarkably solid band that has produced years of solid music. Hearing The Edge talk about how Clayton's bass is in some ways a lead instrument in U2 while his own guitar often falls back into the rhythm section with Mullen, is the reason to tune in to this good-natured hour of patter.
Old albums and invites Bono and the Edge (Off the Record) - The musical talk show ''Off the Record'' (HBO at 11) captures one of the exquisite and rapidly vanishing pleasures of conversational life — sitting around and talking about your favorite albums. There's something wonderfully tactile about being able to pick up a 12-by-12-inch cardboard sleeve and hold in your hand a cultural statement and a collection of songs and memories. I'm not sure whether CDs ever had the same emotional impact, and I can't imagine a discussion about great downloads some 30 years hence. Host Dave Stewart is best known for his work with Annie Lennox in the Eurythmics. His first guests on ''Off the Record'' are Bono and the Edge of U2. He presents concert footage and clips of music videos and discusses the 30-year history of U2. But the show really takes off when he opens a briefcase filled with old albums and invites Bono and the Edge to share their thoughts about David Bowie's ''Low'' and ''Marquee Moon'' by Television, and other albums by Patti Smith, the Ramones, the Clash, the Beatles and Van Morrison.

126th VERTIGO SHOW - NEW ZEALAND - AUCKLAND - NOVEMBER 24, 2006: Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland - New Zealand - november 24, 2006. Bono surprised fans by wearing a jacket displaying the Warriors logo when he emerged on stage with U2 on Friday evening. One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll. City Of Blinding Lights / Vertigo-We Will Rock You (Snippet)-Can't Stand The Rain (Snippet) / Elevation-Four Seasons In One Day (Snippet) / I Will Follow / New Year's Day / Beautiful Day-Sgnt Peppers lonely Hearts Club Band-(Snippet)-Here Come's The Sun (Snippet) / ONE TREE HILL / Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own-One Tree Hill (Snippet) / Love And Peace Or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday-Rock The Casbah (Snippet) / Bullet The Blue Sky-Johnny Comes Marching Home Again (Snippet)-The Hands That Built America (Snippet) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In The Name Of Love) / Where The Streets Have No Name / One / ENCORE BREAK: The Fly / Mysterious Ways / With Or Without You / The Saints Are Coming / Angel Of Harlem / Kite.

Photos: nzherald
..."Hardly anyone cashed in their tickets, which was amazing," Bono said earlier, when he flew in by helicopter for a sound check. ... One Tree Hill, up next, was dedicated to U2's former New Zealand roadie the late Greg Carroll.
Pre-show videos:
here * here * here
One Tree Hill:

Aotearoa right in front of you (New Zealand 1)
Some show tonight in Auckland, New Zealand from the lyrically remade Beautiful Day to a moving One Tree Hill and a soaring Kite. Bono came on stage wearing a jacket with 'The Warriors' on it, in tribute to the rugby league team that call this stadium home. And even though the weather had been a little damp ('It's slippery up here, very slippery.' he observed as Vertigo kicked in. 'Could be interesting.') the rain held off, the Kiwi audience were as loud as any on the tour and after the flood, right on cue, all the colours came out. Why not - when on of the band's signature tunes is rewritten in homage to your country. 'See the world in Green and Blue / Aotearoa right in front of you / See the land of the long white cloud / Cape Reinga, to the fjords in the south / Harbour lights in the City of Sails / Aroha, the love that never fails / See the bird with the leaf in her mouth / After the flood all the colours came out.' / A nod to New Zealand's pop music heritage came in Elevation when Bono slipped in a snatch of Crowded House's 'Four Seasons in One Day' but the warmest tribute came with the arrival of One Tree Hill, all the way from 1987, a song written in memory of the band's late friend Greg Caroll - a New Zealander who worked with them for many years in Dublin. Always a bit special to hear this performed live. 'We spent some time here,' explained Bono. When our friend was lost. Went to his tangi... such an important and moving ocassion.' Orange, green and white balloons were everywhere during 'Streets' which even seemed to catch the breath of the band. 'This is too much,' said Bono as the song came to close, 'Too much for four Irish boys. What I humbly ask you to do this is think about texting (to) make poverty history. That would be a great Christmas present. We have the pharmeceuticals. We have the resources to say no to extreme poverty...' A beautiful young girl emerged from the audience to dance in With or Without You and at the end Bono thanked everyone for 'giving us a large life... we'll try to live it as large as we can.' Maybe it was destined to be a great night, a return to this city and country for the first time since December 1993 - thirteen years ago. Whatever the reason, it was a night to remember as Bono and Edge played Angel of Harlem on the b-stage and we all left singing, 'Who's to say where the wind will take you / Who's to know what it is will break you / I don't know where the wind will blow / Who's to know when the time has come around / I don't wanna see you cry/ I know that this is not goodbye...' Look for: The balloons * The balloons and the crowd * U2 on stage * Bono and young fan
Kiwi hospitality ... While in New Zealand, Bono and guitarist The Edge treated themselves to Kiwi hospitality and stayed on the luxurious Michael Fay-owned Great Mercury Island in the Coromandel. The island is 20km off the Coromandel coast, but only a 25-minute trip by helicopter from Auckland city. It costs about $20,000 a day to hire.
Edge played with the Music Rising Epiphone guitar, the limited edition, and the song got a new animation, a sort of tribal (Aboriginal artwork). Tim Moriarty accompanying the band on Kite at the close of the show.. More photos: U2.com