U2, World Cup United Thanks

t’s not about politics,
Or religion,
Or the economy,
It’s not about borders,
History,
Trade,
Oil,
Water,
Gas,
Mineral rights,
Human rights,
Or animal rights,


When Nicholas Sonderup (right), a 34 year-old copywriter at the advertising firm of Wieden-Kennedy, turned in his script for the FIFA ad entitled “United”, he was understandably anxious. And not just because he had spent eight months working on the campaign for ESPN’s five FIFA ads. Sonderup’s avocation, you see, is writing music and the man whose approval his lyrics needed was none other than the lead singer and lyricist of the biggest band on the planet.

“After Bono read the script,” recalls Sonderup, “from what we heard, he said, ‘Wow, I feel like I could have written it.’”

It’s not about global warming,
Global pandemics,
Globalization,
GDP,
NATO or Kyoto,

Sitting in a Manhattan office and clad in a U.S.A. soccer jersey, Sonderup is justifiably thrilled that so many people who have seen the minute-long ad, in which Bono reads his script while the opening chords of U2’s “Magnificent” linger in the recesses, assume that the globally-conscious Irish rock god himself wrote it.

“I remember saying in the edit room, ‘People are going to think Bono wrote those words,’” says Sonderup, who played Division I soccer at Winthrop University.

It’s not about elections,
Sanctions,
Proliferations,
He said she said,
My land your land,
No man’s land,

The images, many of them shot on location in South Africa and Buenos Aires and the rest culled from file footage, convey a global awareness that would look right at home in any one of a dozen U2 videos. The script, a series of nouns and terms with little else in the way of diction, sounds as if it was written in the same vein as the band’s “Elevation” or “Beautiful Day”.

It’s not about the stock market,
Black market,
Orange alerts,
Green homes,
Hope,
Change,
Fear or loathing,

“We went through several iterations of the script,” says Sonderup. “We kept coming back to the idea that there are very few things in the world that unite the world.”



Hence, the lyrics themselves are almost a global laundry list of factions and divisiveness, which plays wonderfully into the contrast provided by the World Cup: the idea that for one month every four years the globe’s most widely played sport overcomes all of these competing values that lead us apart. For one month we are, as Sports Illustrated’s Grant Wahl wrote last month in a clever pun to kick off his own World Cup story, “Man United.”

Originally, the script had almost double the verbiage and Sonderup confesses that when he turned it in to his creative director, he was thinking “I really hope this doesn’t change much.” It was shortened, and a word or two was altered, but the lyrics are mostly true to his original copy. And while Wieden-Kennedy knew that U2 was aboard for this ad campaign, Sonderup’s supervisors, having read his script, were unanimous that for this particular spot they just had to have Bono’s vocals.

“At the time we didn’t know what U2 song we were going to go with,” says Sonderup. “We just kept saying, ‘We have got to get Bono to read this one.’”

It’s not about communism,
Socialism,
Or capitalism,
War or peace,
Love or hate,

Alas for the soccer-crazed Sonderup, he will not be attending the World Cup nor did he get to meet the voiceover artist who read his lyrics with such unabashed conviction. Too, he understands that advertising copywriters are seldom if ever recognized on the street (you may have stood in line at Wendy’s behind the guy who penned “Where’s the beef?” for all you know).

Still, he has the peace of mind, as an aspiring musician, that one of the world’s most successful rock stars is a wee bit envious of the lyrics that he provided him. Put another way, Sonderup has writtein one of the most compelling U2 tunes of the past decade. You can close your eyes and imagine Bono opening “Magnificent” live by voicing these very words as The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen provide the backing instrumentals.

This is about the one month,
Every four years,
Where we all agree on one thing,
32 nations,
One world watching,
2010 FIFA World Cup

“What makes the ad good is that it’s very simple,” says Sonderup.

Just like soccer. 

U2 Weekly wap up

 

Since the 2009 leg in October wrap up, the boys have in the studio working on three albums simultaneously: Songs of Ascent, a second volume from the sessions for last year’s No Line On The Horizon; the score from the Broadway musical Spiderman; and a set of entirely new songs.

This is not the first time that there’s been talk of three album projects, but in the previous reports, the third project was said to be old material from the Rick Rubin sessions in 2006. The above specifically refers to “entirely new songs.”

Kingdom on Vinyl?

Universal/Interscope seems interested in reporting what’s on the 7-inch, orange vinyl that comes with the U2 360 at the Rose Bowl super deluxe box set. But, judging from a couple fan postings, it looks like that vinyl includes the unreleased track that played as U2 took the stage during last year’s concerts. The only question is … what’s the song called?

Bono in France with Paul

The original photo was postd on U2achtung. We are not sure who the fan was. However you can clearly see the pain in Bono, Paul as the driver.  The photo was taken next to a hotel where Bono may have been attending a summit - Ten days after back surgery. He did not get out of the car to take the photo. - 

 

Photo credit - Unknown - Original Posting U2achtung.

 

Glastonbury will attempt to reschedule U2 performance

GLASTONBURY Festival organisers say they will attempt to book U2 for a future gig after the Irish band were forced to pull out of this year’s event.

The band were scheduled to headline the 40th anniversary of the event on Friday, June 25, but cancelled because lead singer Bono suffered a back injury.

U2, who have never played Glastonbury, will be replaced by former Blur front man Damon Albarn and Gorillaz.

Speaking to The Irish Post, the Glastonbury organisers said: “They’ve never played here before and we’re very disappointed they can’t perform, but they could well be back next year or the year after that.”

The withdrawal of a major international act is unusual for an event which has become the Christmas Day of the British music calendar.

A spokesman for Glastonbury said: “The one that springs to mind is Kylie Minogue’s withdrawal in 2005 because of breast cancer. She was replaced by Basement Jaxx.”

In 1995, The Stone Roses were forced to cancel after guitarist John Squire broke a collarbone. They were replaced by Pulp who made full use of the opportunity. “They got great acclaim,” said the spokesman. “That gig pushed them and Jarvis Cocker into the limelight.”

U2 Rose Bowl DVD Arrives

U2’ marketing machine was planning on using the release U2 360 at the Rose Bowl this week to promote the North American summer tour.  Expected to start this Thursday which now we all know has been delayed due to Bono’s unexpected back surgery.

We don’t want to give away too much of the DVD. However we will say this is the best U2 DVD ever released. Yes, we said the best. Amazing footage, audio sounds wonderful. Clearly you will notice some edits on a couple of songs.  Remember when we said that “City of Blinding Lights” the stage was made for this song. We think you will be impressed again. 

Noticeable item would be the lack of heavy focus on the stage.  As Bono and the boys have said many times the stage was “designed to get closer to you.” You will notice that not a lot of attention on the stage rather the music such as a music DVD should be. 

Bono takes the leading role, the voice sounds better. If you remember a couple of shows he seemed to have some voice issues.  Running around the stage, singing, dancing it’s a pure love fest for Bono.  We expect that he will not be running around the stage as much as this past leg. However who knows. Singing, Dancing, its all part of the show and Bono knows you came to see the show.

We want to cut our review short. Why? Well clearly your feedback is much more interesting to us. You will find some great surprises such as Squaring the Circle - The insider look at how the stage came to be.

If we have to wait a whole year before the boys come back to America. This DVD will ease the pain.  We have thousands of hours of concert video from the 360 tour however this DVD is the one concert DVD you will want to own. 



 

Bono risks millions

Bono and his wife Ali Hewson may be at risk of losing million as their ethical clothing change, Edun, continues to lose money.

At the end of last year Bono, and his wife of 28 years, Ali, moved their family from Dublin to New York to help launch the ethical clothing line based in Tribeca, Manhattan.

Ali has now revealed that the business has so far failed to make a profit.

“It hasn’t made money — it hasn’t made a profit yet,” said Ali. “But it’s growing. It’s growing.

“The first five years of the company is about putting money in and building the trade. So of course we had to support it. We’re still here supporting it now, because we believe in it.”

In fact the Hewson family believed so entirely in the project that they all moved to New York to be closer to the day to day running of the business.

“I’ve been seeing how the operation was being upgraded on a daily, weekly basis,” she said.

“It’s been amazing to see how far it has come in six months.

In 2005 Bono, Ali and fashion designer Rogan Gregory founded the fashion line. However, Ali says that the mission to increase employment in developing regions of Africa has overshadowed the company itself.

Over the years Bono has endured some criticism for his constant involvement in charity campaigns. His critics feel that his methods are a little preachy and that he’s over exposed in the media. However Ali defends his ongoing charity activism.

“He’s always known, if you want to get anything done you’ve got to stand in the firing line sometimes…He doesn’t do it for the warm fuzzy feelings. He does it to actually bring some change about, and highlight issues that were being pushed under the carpet. And he does it very effectively.

“Bono will say to you, ‘I’m sick of Bono, and I am Bono’.”

Just three years ago Edun had $3.6 million in bank loans and owes it’s three shareholders $7.9 million.

Ali feels that the situation for the company can only get better as the Hewson’s partnered up with LVMH, who owns Givenchy, Moet & Chandon, Louis Vuitton, Fendi and Christian Dior.

Edun’s plans to have a line of clothing ready for the soccer World Cup this summer designed but children in the slums in Nairobi.

Bono's Back Costs Millions !

The Irish Times ran with this article over the weekend. Fans still trying to understand the ticket process for new shows. Nothing has been updated on U2.com as of yet. Its going to take some time. Stand by…. Your North American tour to start soon.

NOW THAT U2’S North American tour has been postponed because of Bono’s back surgery, it’s time for all involved to start totting up the cost. “U2’s daily tour overhead spend is $750,000 [€950,000],” says an Irish music-tour insider. “Bono’s back has put them out of action for two months. They’re insured for show postponement, but that’s not the full story. The set-up costs of the three Claws they use was phenomenal. They don’t need this, their insurance company doesn’t need this and the global touring economy doesn’t need this. It’s not just the show day; it’s the three of four days before setting up the stadium, one day stripping it down after, the 200 trucks, the drivers, the security, the merchandising people, the drinks and food people, the programme sellers, costume, make-up and hundreds of other people. U2 would have over 100 permanent touring personnel and an extra 200-300 working personnel at each local venue. It’s the hotels, the flights, the food vouchers. It’s like a small country coming to a standstill.”

Arthur Fogel, chief executive of U2’s concert promoter, Live Nation, says of the 3600 tour postponement: “There’s no question this is monumental.”

A million tickets had been sold for the band’s North American leg, in July and August, now put off to allow Bono to recuperate from his back surgery in Munich last week after injuring himself during rehearsals. The band are looking at 2011 for the rescheduled dates.

Of severe annoyance to the band is the fact that there was also a high-profile Glastonbury Festival appearance (their first) at the end of June – their spot has now been taken by Gorillaz – for which the band had written a song.

The European leg of the tour, from August until October, is still officially on, but it will depend on the singer’s recuperation. The emergency surgery was needed “to avoid further paralysis”, said doctors after Bono developed severe compression of the sciatic nerve, along with a ligament tear and a herniated disc.

“He won’t want reminding that he just turned 50 last month,” says a source. “He has been throwing himself around stages for over 30 years. He’s up there as the frontman for two and a half hours a night, and he’s not one to do things by half measures. This is a very serious injury and sounds like it could be the result of cumulative damage. How things play out will be interesting. This is showbiz – hundreds of millions of dollars rest upon a 50-year-old man’s back disc.”

All focus now will be on whether the singer is fit for the European tour. (There are no Irish shows this time around.) Bono may not climb up speaker stacks any more (something that always concerned other band members), but he still flings himself around a fair bit. As the focal point for 80,000 people each night, a certain degree of showmanship is required. People close to him say there is no way he will appear on stage without being able to give it “the full-on Bono treatment”.

The band train hard before going the road, but in the months off between legs of the tour they can let themselves go a bit. This back injury was caused by Bono trying to get himself into shape for two months of touring after several months off.

What is particularly frustrating for the band is that this tour is perhaps their most significant ever. They’ve never spent as much money assembling a stage configuration as they have on the Claw, and they were prepared to go substantially into the red on the tour before seeing any profit.

With their latest album not selling as well as it could have, the tour has exceeded expectations. It was the most profitable tour of last year, but in this, its second year, it was supposed to resolve a long dispute over who is the most popular live rock band of all time.

U2’s Vertigo tour (2005-2006) sits in second place as the highest-grossing music tour. Just ahead of it lies The Rolling Stones’ Bigger Bang tour (2005-2007), which grossed $558 million. The Stones, though, played a lot more dates than U2. So far, the 360 tour has grossed $311 million. Without Bono’s back injury it would have easily grabbed the prize.

Guinness World Records (and bragging rights) will have to wait. But for the still intensely competitive Bono, having U2 make another piece of music history will be motivation enough to accelerate the recuperation process. For a few months, though, there is a line on U2’s horizon.



“360” DVD tops “Entertainment Weekly’s” Must List

The Must List is a feature in which the magazine picks the 10 best things in entertainment for the week. U2’s mention is featured in the new issue of “EW” (it’s a double issue, #1105/1106) and is on page 9 (just wanted to be specific!)

It’s just a little blurb, but it still speaks to how spectacular the YouTube-live streamed Pasadena show was: “Join the nearly 100,000 fans who piled into the SoCal stadium last October, and catch the band’s groundbreaking set on DVD or Blu-ray (out June 3). Bonus: Check out how Bono and the boys put the crazy thing together.”

Its time to order yours today U2 - 360° AT THE ROSE BOWL [Super Deluxe Edition] theU2 DVD Digipack . Oh, the decisions! Interested in the Blu-Ray


We can’t wait to watch this though. It was exciting to watch it live as it was happening. Now go to amazon today and order your own copy !

America thanks you Bono !

Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 31 in 2010). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service. We head into this weekend thinking about all men and women that have died to protect freedom everywhere in the world. 

Remember those that contiue to fight, those that have not yet to begin to understand the freedoms they enjoy come with a price.  

Aung San Suu Kyi contiues to fght for the rights of others. 

Enjoy the weekend off - We have been given the weekend off here too.

If you like our work please share our facebook like with your friends. -

 

 

 

 

 

America’s Song - Bono, Will I AM and Others


Bono's back injury an opportunity to ridicule U2

The LA Times ran this article, it seems that when someone is on top of their personal and professional game along comes someone to try to knock them down. Why ? Well simple crab in the bucket thinking.

” Place some crabs in a bucket and watch as one tries to get out, the others will pull that crab back in the bucket”

U2’s front-man probably wasn’t singing, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,” after the rehearsal that put him out of commission and caused the band to delay its upcoming tour.

The Irish rock superstars will postpone 16 dates on their upcoming American tour, which was scheduled to stop at Angel Stadium on June 6 & 7, and canceled its high-profile performance at the Glastonbury music festival. Their band’s manager says Bono needs time to heal from a back injury.

After nearly a quarter-century together and close to a bajillion hit songs, there seems to be growing animosity toward the group. As we know from seeing Paul McCartney continue to tour, Bono, 50, might be over the hill, but he isn’t too old to rock. He’ll just have to deal with throwing out his back every now and again.

While Bono may not be able to count to four in Spanish (as evidenced in the intro to the song “Vertigo”), he sure knows how to put on an entertaining, powerful performance. We watched the band rock the Rose Bowl last October. So what’s with all of these haters on our Pop & Hiss music blog?

Boomerang writes: Who cares… Last good U2 album was Achtung Baby and that was about 20 years ago!

Diky writes: Bono and U2 have been letting everyone down with their self righteousness and krap music for years.

Mark writes: Big deal. The most overrated band in the world. 25% talent, 25% hype and 50% politics!

The Bell writes: Bono’s back injury probably has something to do with carrying that big head of his around for so many years.

Is U2’s reputation on the downturn, or was Tuesday’s reader backlash another case of a vocal minority of naysayers?

Lets push our crab out of the bucket and allow them to pull us thru.

U2 2011:Peru,Chile and Brazil

We would have thought that a couple of you fans would have picked up on our earlier title on our site.

 

However no takers, our good friends at U2Chile.net and IPhone Link site has reported the following - Here is the english verision and the spanish verision can be found below.

We have confirmation that the producer Live Nation initiated contacts with local producers to expand U2360 ° Tour, not only in Chile but also in Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, United States U.S. and Canada. 
 
The program for months, continents and countries is as follows: 

First half of February: Japan and South Korea (Asia)
Late February in Australia and New Zealand (Oceania)
March: Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Peru (South America)
April-May: Mexico, USA, Canada (North America) 

In South America were contacted technical data, capacity, guidance and feasibility for the following stages, in order to be assessed by the local producers who work with Live Nation (T4F) and thus to be leased during the month of March 2011:

- Estadio Monumental de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Morumbi Stadium in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
- Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
- National Stadium in Lima, Peru. 

The contacts and contract signings will be held in the coming months, following confirmation on U2.com, as well as rescheduled dates for the United States and Canada that would be from April 2011. 

More soon.

 

Tenemos confirmación que la productora Live Nation inició los contactos con las productoras locales para ampliar el U2360° Tour, no sólo en Chile, sino que también en Brasil, Argentina, Perú, México, Japón, Corea del Sur, Australia, Nueva Zelanda, Estados Unidos y Canadá.

El programa por meses, continentes y países es el siguiente:

Primera Quincena de Febrero: Japón y Corea del Sur (Asia)
Segunda Quincena de Febrero: Australia y Nueva Zelanda (Oceanía)
Marzo: Chile, Argentina, Brasil, Perú (Sudamérica)
Abril-Mayo: Mexico, USA, Canada (Norteamérica)

En Sudamérica fueron contactados los datos técnicos, capacidad, orientación y factibilidad para los siguientes estadios, con el fin de ser evaluados por las productoras locales que trabajan con Live Nation (T4F) y así para poder ser arrendadas durante el mes de Marzo del 2011:

- Estadio Monumental de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- Estadio Morumbí de Sao Paulo, Brasil.
- Estadio Maracaná de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
- Estadio Nacional de Lima, Peru.

Los contactos y firmas de contratos se realizarán en los próximos meses, previa confirmación en U2.com, así como también las fechas reprogramadas para Estados Unidos y Canadá que serían a partir del mes de abril de 2011.

Más información pronto.

Noticias Relacionadas: PRODUCTORA T4F CONFIRMA INTERÉS POR TRAER A U2

Hello Hello Hola !

Its been a week or a least it feels like it. Can you feel it! Well summer is about to start here in North America and we have our thoughts turned to Bono getting back out on the road. Do don’t think we need to do a wrap up of the events from the last week. If you missed the details we have the whole story from the first minute up until the news from Live Nation posted yesterday.

So what should we write about - Lets just take a break for a few hours today. Enjoy the ROSE BOWL DVD Promo and get yourself your own copy. Hey we have watched the prices go down and down and we have a bet that at this point its sure to sell out. Enjoy - If you still have not ordered. Follow the link below for the disconted price.

U2 Fans Divided /The Edge Speaks Out

Editor Comment:  We pride ourselves on being respectful of peoples rights to comment either good, bad or indifferent.  I have been fielding emails from fans all day as a matter a fact all weekend. Interesting group of fans we are. I want to share with you the comments from the doctor and share some thoughts aft wards.

First we would like you to listen to the interview from The Edge on KROG (LA RADIO)

“We’re 95% confident that Bono will be back in time for our European leg. The doctors are saying minimum of eight weeks. Now, I know Bono, and we’re gonna have to chain him down to stop him from getting back out there. But we will endeavour to make sure that he doesn’t go back too soon, which would be the danger. So, yeah, I’d say mid-August we’ll be back.”

 

 

Photo: U2 manager Paul McGuinness, left, and Dr. Muller Wohlfahrt. Credit: U2.comProfessor Tonn, who carried out the operation, added, “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.”

When you read the first part of the doctors comments I think we all can get an understanding of how this could have been really bad for Bono. Or how really bad it was.

We all know that he has had back problems for years. Fans I too was  bit disappointed with the idea of a pushed out tour. Its a costly nightmare for so many people.

This was the summer tour of the year for North America. Employed lots of people when people need work. Provided hope for those of us that want to keep Bono and the boys young in our hearts. I started the headline this afternoon with U2 Fans divided, because they really are.

I have gotten a couple hundred emails pissed off that the tour has been pushed out. Talking about their lose, their money, their time, their tickets and so on. Can I say this without losing readers? Can I ? Well fans. Its a concert !

That’s all ! As someone wiser than me once said, you need your health to spend your wealth. Clearly we are talking about a human life here. He has a family too. “to avoid further paralysis” Does this not make you think for a second?

Fans we will see our boys again and we will enjoy every song, every note and every step that Bono makes because of this time out that was needed to be taken. Can I ask that we turn our focus away from what we feel we lost to whats important. Tomorrow is another day. 

Bono, on behalf of the whole U2TOURFANS family I wish you and your family well during your time of recovery and look forward to seeing you out on tour again when the time is right.

Dre

16 Shows pushed to 2011 -

Live Nation, promoter of the U2360° tour, today confirmed that 16 shows from Salt Lake City (June 3) to New Jersey’s Meadowlands Stadium (July 19), will be rescheduled for 2011.

The tour is the most expensive ever staged, and any postponement means its huge running costs - including the wage bill - still have to be covered.

“Although we understand the disappointment to U2 fans, first and foremost comes the recovery of Bono,” said U2 tour producer/promoter Arthur Fogel, CEO of Live Nation Global Touring, in a statement.


Details on rescheduled dates will be confirmed shortly, according to a statement.

The injury was sustained during tour preparation training.

According to the U2 Web site, Bono has now been discharged from Ludwig Maximilians-University (LMU) Hospital in Munich where he underwent emergency surgery. He is under doctor’s orders to start a rehabilitation program and to recuperate for at least eight weeks.

“Bono suffered severe compression of the sciatic nerve,” the site quotes Dr Muller Wohlfahrt. “On review of his MRI scan, I realized there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich’s LMU University Hospital on Friday [May 21].”

Professor Tonn, who carried out the operation, added: “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.”

Wohlfahrt said that “we are treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes and while the surgery has gone very well, the coming weeks are crucial for a return to full health. In the next days, he will start a light rehabilitation program, with increasing intensity over the next 8 weeks. In our experience, this is the minimum time.”

North America Tour Postponed !

Speaking at the LMU University Hospital in Munich, Paul McGuinness has confirmed the postponement of 16 shows on the U2360° Tour from Salt Lake City on June 3rd, through to New Jersey’s Meadowlands Stadium on July 19th. Tour Promoters Live Nation are now rescheduling those dates.

Paul McGuinness said, ‘Our biggest and I believe best tour has been interrupted and we’re all devastated. For a performer who lives to be on stage, this is more than a blow. He feels robbed of the chance to do what he does best and feels like he has badly let down the band and their audience. Which is of course nonsense. His concerns about more than a million ticket buyers whose plans have been turned upside down, we all share, but the most important thing right now is that Bono make a full recovery. We’re working as fast as we can with Live Nation to reschedule these dates.’

Bono Discharged from Hospital

Bono has now been discharged from Ludwig Maximilians-University (LMU) Hospital in Munich where he underwent emergency surgery on Friday, following a back injury. In order to fully recover, he is under doctor’s orders to start a rehabilitation program and to recuperate for at least eight weeks.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt confirmed, ‘Bono suffered severe compression of the sciatic nerve. On review of his MRI scan, I realized there was a serious tear in the ligament and a herniated disc, and that conservative treatment would not suffice. I recommended Bono have emergency spine surgery with Professor Tonn at Munich’s LMU University Hospital on Friday.’

Professor Tonn, who carried out the operation, added, ‘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’.

Dr Muller Wohlfahrt continued, ‘We are treating Bono as we would treat any of our athletes and while the surgery has gone very well, the coming weeks are crucial for a return to full health. In the next days, he will start a light rehabilitation program, with increasing intensity over the next 8 weeks. In our experience, this is the minimum time.’

Bono returns to Ireland

Irish Central has reported that Bono will return to Ireland over the next few days to recuperate after his shock emergency back surgery.

The upcoming dates on U2’s 360 Tour have been shelved after Bono’s back was injured while the band was rehearsing in Germany.

Sources are remaining tight-lipped about the type of surgery and a statement is expected from the band over the next few days.

U2.com is telling fans only that Bono was “admitted to a specialist neuro surgery unit in a Munich hospital, and is under the care of neurosurgeon Prof. Dr. Jorg Tonn and Dr Muller Wohlfahrt

Source Irish Central -

We can not stress this point any harder ! Do not lose your tickets - No offical word has come from Live Nation as of 2:30 PM EST - 5/24/10

Dizzee and Coldplay 'Lined Up To Replace U2 At Glastonbury'

Rockers COLDPLAY have reportedly been approached to take over U2’s headlining slot at the famed Glastonbury festival -

Organisers of the U.K.’s leading music festival are rushing to find a possible replacement for the Beautiful Day hitmakers after Bono injured his back while preparing for the band’s 360 Degree world tour.

Chris Martin and his bandmates are currently working on their next album after wrapping up their Viva La Vida trek - but are said to be considering Glastonbury boss Michael Eavis’ offer to play the festival next month (Jun10).

London rapper Dizzee Rascal is also believed to be in consideration for the slot on 25 June (10), according according to The Sun, Glastonbury organisers want Dizzee, who is already on the bill, to “step up to the plate” if Bono is unable to recover.

Alicia Keys: I want to sing with U2

ALICIA Keys revealed last night that she is hoping to follow her worldwide hit with Jay-Z by teaming up with even bigger names.

The singer spoke to The Razz ahead of her sell-out show at Glasgow’s SECC after appearing at the Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Wales.

And she is determined to eclipse the success of Empire State Of Mind by working with other rock legends.

Alicia said: “I have a little list. Prince is on it, M.I.A., Kings Of Leon and Maxwell. But I’ve always wanted to do something with U2.

“We are good friends and if we were to do something together, I think that would be really special.”

Alicia was thrilled to be back in Glasgow - her mum is half-Scottish - and insists her down-to-earth attitude is due to her mother’s heritage.

She said: “My mum and my gran are really wonderful. They gave me an example in the way that I was raised, to be considerate of others.

“That has given me a balance of how to be in this crazy world.

“I am most proud of being able to maintain who I am as a person.

“Of course, I have grown and changed in the way that comes with age but the actual person, who I have always been, I still am.

“There are places where the people are really good - Glasgow is one.

“There is a great vibe and the people are really open to what I do.”

Alicia recently sparked mania on the internet by launching an online search for a new blogger to work closely with her via website I Am A Superwoman.

She feels it is important to give women opportunities.

She said: “It is exciting to watch the site develop and come to life.

“We have been searching for our main head blogger, now we have thousands of people to look through.

“I am very excited about that coming together and becoming a part of people’s lives.

“I want to be a positive role model. There is so much negativity, in every story and in the news. Very rarely do we give anyone the good news.

“I’ve always wanted to be one of those bearers of good news. You can be a positive person, you can have a good life, it just depends on your outlook.”

Alicia has found herself thrust into the World Cup this year because of her Keep A Child Alive foundation, which helps AIDS-stricken kids and their families.

She said: “I am looking forward to going to Africa as part of the World Cup.

“So much of the work we do with Keep A Child Alive is based there. I am bringing five Americans and they will experience all the things that we have been able to do.

“It will be especially inspiring to see how it changes their lives.”



Planes,Trucks,and Crew.... Stand by

U2 Fans - 10:00 PM East Coast - We thought we better make a comment to those of you following the other millions of fans on twitter, facebook or your favorite social media source.

Rumors are running wild.  Lets start by saying NOTHING has been confirmed. Period. A friend, that knows a friend of a truck driver said what ? Come on now fans lets stop sending rumors around. We can tell you this for sure. Rehearsals will need a week. The stage will need a week.  U2 operates three steel crews within North Amerca. Currently all trucks are holding. Crew that has not arrived into Salt Lake has been told to wait in their home city for further updates.

As for rumors, we have done our homework on not posting, commenting or suggesting any rumors. We would like to ask that you follow us on twitter or facebook for the fastest real time updates.