Springsteen, Martin and U2 Minus Bono

The schedule called for U2 to perform at World AIDS Day (RED) performance Monday night in Times Square. However, Bono has been recovering from his earlier “High Impact Cycle” accident that has taken him out of the mix for right now.  U2 announced that the show will still go on with some help from some friends, Bruce and Chris stepped in to help the boys out. U2 posted on their Facebook page "Adam Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. will be joined by Bruce Springsteen and Coldplay’s Chris Martin, each of whom will take a turn as frontman on the U2 songs. Appearing at the personal invitation of U2, Springsteen and Martin has graciously donated their time and talents to save the World AIDS Day event from cancellation." The show has been dubbed “U2 Minus 1”

"This year is a World AIDS Day like no other," Bono said in a statement. "The world reached a tipping point in the fight against AIDS - more people were newly added to life-saving treatment than were newly infected with the virus. Many people are calling it the beginning of the end of AIDS. 

"We wouldn’t be at this point without American leadership, people from the left and the right," added the singer. "Today, 13 million people have access to life-saving treatment, up from 300,000 just over ten years ago.  Americans do not know the role they have played in this fight.  This event is to inform and thank Americans for their support.  

Surprise Gig U2 Play Hollywood Ballroom

Bono/ U2 360/ File Photo / Mark Peterson /U2TOURFANS

Hollywood: It was widely reported that U2 was in town over the weekend working on some super special project that could relate to a Superbowl commercial.

In a star filled Hollywood hotel ballroom, Bono, The Edge and 300 other guests attended Sean Penn's third annual Help Haiti Home benefit, which raised nearly $6 million for the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

The surprise of the evening was a performance by U2. The Edge and Bono performed an acoustic set with Anaelle Jean-Pierre and followed up the evening with three songs. 

It is hard to keep a secret in Hollywood however; this kept tight under wraps. Did the Hollywood elite get a chance to hear three band new songs? No sorry three songs where Hallelujah, Desire and Vertigo.  We expect to see today photos and maybe some audio from the evening. We can say one thing for sure. U2 marketing machine is under way, watch for something big to hit the streets very soon.

U2 Wraps Up In New York City

U2 have been in New York this past week working on their upcoming album at Electric Lady Studios, which was built opened in Greenwich Village by Jimi Hendrix in 1968.

Band members have been spotted there with producer Danger Mouse, reportedly mixing the disc. On Friday afternoon, all four members were on the roof of the studio doing an acoustic version of “Sunday Bloody Sunday” for a camera crew. Also spotted at the studio was Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

On Friday night, Bono and The Edge played a private show at a party in New York’s SoHo neighborhood.

Chris Blackwell, the founder of Island Records and the man who signed U2, has heard the new album and calls it “better than ever.”

From all reports everythingis pretty wrapped up now and quiet again in New York. Bono was spotted out dinning with Danger Mouse and again spotted walking around New York City on Sunday.