Rushdie the writer of “Santanic Verses” has many friends, including Bono. Joseph Anton writes in his new memoir that Bono and Salman go back many years. The story goes that Bono even offered shelter and support while he was under fatwa issued by conservative Muslims in 1989. Bono at one time managed to smuggle Salman out of Ali’s mansion in Killney, Dublin to head to the bar for a few pints, all this while his body guards unaware of his departure. Rushdie enjoyed the freedom and was all too happy to drink a few pints of Guinness while enjoying the conversation with Bono.
During Zooropa tour Bono and the boys wanted to show support for Rushdie and extended an invite to him during their London stop. The two became friends from that point. Bono extending a hand out to Rushdie a few more times during which they talked about Bono wanting to grow as a writer.
Rushdie and Bono did collaborate on music. “The Ground Beneath Her Feet” was based on an earlier novel by Rushdie. Just this past month Bono presented Rushie with GQ magazine’s Inspiration of the Year award.
Music provides the platform for the strangest of bedfellows.