Thursday, May 27, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Bono's severe injury causes concert postponement
U2.com posted an article where the doctor revealed details of the surgery:
"Bono was referred to me by Dr Muller Wohlfahrt late last week with a sudden onset disease. He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis in the lower leg. The ligament surrounding the disc had an 8mm tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had traveled into the spinal canal. This surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation."
Bono was released from the hospital yesterday and according to a skype session The Edge gave U2.com, he's recovering well. The Edge also threw in a few light hearted jokes (at Bono's expense) which really makes me believe that everything will be ok.
Oddly enough, this has made me realize how lucky I am to be old enough to have seen 6 U2 shows and experience the difference that Bono has made in the world though (RED) and ONE. For some reason, my mind viewed Bono as being immortal in a way; invincible. Today I wore one of my (RED) shirts - it's apparent that I cannot stop thinking about this horrible injury. And I know I'm such a nut, but it makes me sick to the core to think about something horrible happening to any of those guys!
Next tour I am taking my little man with me to the concert with some noise muffling ear phones. Seeing U2 is something he's grown to want to do desperately over the last few months. Thankfully U2 has already started in on their next album so and a tour will follow that - crosses fingers - prayerfully so.
Bono, rest up so you can come out to the world at full force. Sending prayers and healing vibes...
Monday, May 10, 2010
50 Reasons Why We Love Bono
Today is Bono's 50th Birthday. Hard to believe that I am obsessed with a man who is around the same age as my mother! But obsessed I am and probably will always be.
Bono has changed the lives of many not only through his music but also through his activism. He has brought the world's attention to the AIDS crisis in Africa and has provided easy ways for us to support his cause. In honor of Bono my 6 year old son and I wore (RED) shirts. And since my little guy turned 6 on Saturday (yeah, he couldn't wait two more days to share the B-man's birthday) he wondered if "Uncle Bono" would invite him to his birthday party. LOL
In honor of Bono's birthday, @u2.com made a list of 50 reasons why we love Bono. A lot of the reasons actually made me laugh out loud for real :)
1. His voice.
2. "Chune" -- the way he says "tune."
3. His ultra-high platform shoes, or perhaps the insecurity they seem to represent.
4. The goofiness and neediness that prompted all those stage-climbing episodes in the early 1980s.
5. That he got the Pope to wear his shades.
6. His "F**k the revolution" rant from Rattle and Hum.
7. He still has 44 years until he looks like this.
8. He never actually looked like this.
9. His willingness to have real conversations with fans in one-on-one settings, and that he seems to actually relish those conversations.
10. His head.
11. His heart.
12. His faith.
13. The way he waves at himself like a goofy kid during "Where the Streets Have No Name" on the Zoo TV: Live From Sydney video.
14. The way he struggles to remember his own lyrics.
15. His recital of the John F. Deane poem, Driving to Midnight Mass.
16. His successful marriage.
17. He has a cool wife who'll interrupt a private walk with her man to take pictures of him with admiring fans.
18. The lyrics of "Running to Stand Still."
19. His willingness to stick his neck out about things that matter to him, even when he knows it makes an easy target for people to chop off.
20. He's the only rock star who might really, actually, seriously, be able to save the world.
21. The Fly. And MacPhisto, of course.
22. He does a pretty good Luciano Pavarotti impression.
23. The way he gets inside the songs when U2 performs live.
24. Great one-liners like "The latest and greatest in software, hardware and men's wear."
25. His never-ending ambition.
26. His never-ending loyalty to friends, forming a "band of brothers" not only with Edge, Adam and Larry, but also with pre-U2 friends like Gavin Friday and Guggi.
27. The hug he gives to Graceland Tour Guide Girl in Rattle and Hum while selling her on the idea of letting his friend, Larry, sit on Elvis' Harley.
28. His performance in the video for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own."
29. His lyrics for "The Fly." Well, his lyrics for all of Achtung Baby, actually. Except maybe "Wild Horses." But 11 out of 12 are golden.
30. He has a way with ladies (of the cloth).
31. My wife wants me to include his wink to the camera in the middle of Rattle and Hum. And his stare at the camera during the "One" music video -- the one where he's singing in the bar. She also mentioned something about a bubble bath photo. I assume you girls know what she's talking about?
32. What other rock star has been suggested as replacements for the pope and the president of the World Bank?
33. Dude has mad hops.
34. The leg kick that opened up all the shows on the Zoo TV tour.
35. He has a strong sense of self, as evidenced by how he described himself to Michka Assayas a few years ago:
"I'm a scribbling, cigar-smoking, wine-drinking, Bible-reading band man. A show-off [laughs] ... who loves to paint pictures of what I can't see. A husband, father, friend of the poor and sometimes the rich. An activist traveling salesman of ideas. Chess player, part-time rock star, opera singer, in the loudest folk group in the world."
36. He's a pretty good writer, and I'm not talking about song lyrics with this one.
37. His commercial voiceover skills, especially on the recent ESPN/FIFA World Cup TV spot.
38. All the promises he makes from ... one album to the next.
39. His penchant for public graffiti, like on the faces of celebrity posters or public art.
40. "The leap" at Live Aid.
41. He delivers some mean speeches. Just ask Frank Sinatra and the NAACP.
42. His performance in the video for "The Sweetest Thing."
43. Nobody, and I mean nobody looks better wearing a green guitar.
44. And who else can rock a silver suit from head to toe quite like he can?
45. You can bring him home in cookie or olive oil form.
46. That silly drumming he did on the Vertigo Tour.
47. The way he seems to be summoning the Spirit with that guttural bellowing that precedes "Streets" on the U2 Go Home: Live From Slane Castle video.
48. His sense of justice.
49. His tireless passion to do well by the world's poor and sick.
50. He's a hero to a lot of fans, but he knows who the real heroes are.
Happy birthday, Bono!
(c) @U2, 2010.
Tuesday, May 04, 2010
40 cents = 2 lifesaving pills
After watching this video, it made me realize how much of an impact something so small can make in a life. Small enough that anyone can help.
For over 20 years I have educated myself and tried to educate others about AIDs. At the time I heard Ryan White's story and from there I exploded in wanting to know and make sure others knew the facts on AIDs and HIV.
In 2006, Bono helped launch the (RED) Campaign. In short, people like you and me buy Product (RED) items and a portion of the money goes to buying drugs that help people afflicted with AIDs in Africa. Being that one of my most favorite guys in the world was setting change in motion for a cause I deeply believe in, I of course jumped on the band wagon immediately.
To me,, Product (RED) is a win-win situation for everyone. I buy a product I like and part of the proceeds (depends on the vendor) go directly to providing drugs for Africans with AIDs. The GAP is one of my favorite Product (RED) participants. Most of their shirts cost about $30. The GAP gives HALF - yes, HALF of the proceeds to (RED)! That means i get to wear I shirt I like and one person in Africa is given life saving drugs for over a month!
If you're not into The GAP, there are many other vendors. You can spend a little or you can spend a lot. Follow this link to check out what other vendors offer Product (RED) items and how much they will donate from your purchase: http://www.joinred.com/#shopred
Anyone can make a difference; even you.