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Thanks to Shades of Bono for this....
December 25, 2009
Merry Christmas!
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I wish you a happy holiday and joyous Christmas.....
http://www.u2.com/news/title/seasons-greetings
http://www.u2.com/news/title/seasons-greetings
December 22, 2009
December 21, 2009
U2's Best Is Yet To Come
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Read the following post on its original site, Ireland Online, by clicking here.
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U2 – who released their twelfth studio album ‘No Line on the Horizon’ earlier this year – are always striving to do better and don’t understand why other bands are not as ambitious.
Guitarist The Edge said: “It matters to us that we still make music that connects, and we are still capable of potentially doing our best-ever album.
“It's not a foregone conclusion that our best work is behind us. That still makes it really exciting.
“We get that. Sometimes I think, ‘Why has it been so difficult for people in the past to maintain that?’ We're still learning. We're still ambitious creatively, in terms of where we can take the band. There's an awful lot there for us.”
The ‘One’ hitmakers insist their view isn’t “arrogant” but because they don’t feel any limitations or restrictions on their creativity.
The Edge added to Rolling Stone magazine: “We all genuinely believe it. It's not arrogance. It's because we are still hungry. There's no reason why we can't do this. You think about other art forms and artists — filmmakers, painters, sculptors. It doesn't follow that your best work is done in your late twenties, early thirties, and then it's downhill. Unfortunately, that's the way rock ‘n’ roll has panned out.
“Our only limitation is our ability to apply ourselves, to be hard-minded on our work. We push and push until we get to those special pieces of music, those lyrics. And it doesn't arrive on call. You can't turn it on.”
U2 think their best is yet to come
21/12/2009 - 13:31:14
U2 – who released their twelfth studio album ‘No Line on the Horizon’ earlier this year – are always striving to do better and don’t understand why other bands are not as ambitious.
Guitarist The Edge said: “It matters to us that we still make music that connects, and we are still capable of potentially doing our best-ever album.
“It's not a foregone conclusion that our best work is behind us. That still makes it really exciting.
“We get that. Sometimes I think, ‘Why has it been so difficult for people in the past to maintain that?’ We're still learning. We're still ambitious creatively, in terms of where we can take the band. There's an awful lot there for us.”
The ‘One’ hitmakers insist their view isn’t “arrogant” but because they don’t feel any limitations or restrictions on their creativity.
The Edge added to Rolling Stone magazine: “We all genuinely believe it. It's not arrogance. It's because we are still hungry. There's no reason why we can't do this. You think about other art forms and artists — filmmakers, painters, sculptors. It doesn't follow that your best work is done in your late twenties, early thirties, and then it's downhill. Unfortunately, that's the way rock ‘n’ roll has panned out.
“Our only limitation is our ability to apply ourselves, to be hard-minded on our work. We push and push until we get to those special pieces of music, those lyrics. And it doesn't arrive on call. You can't turn it on.”
December 20, 2009
The Same People
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Taken from "A Reflection on The Water." An amazing well-written blog, I'd urge you to check out.
"The same people who marched for Civil Rights in the United States, are the same people who protested Apartheid in South Africa, who are the same people who work for peace in Ireland, and are the same people who fought against Debt Slavery in the Jubilee Year 2000, who are the same beautiful people that I see when I look around this place tonight in three hundred and sixty degrees.
We are those people. We are the same person, because our voices were heard. Millions more of our brothers and sisters are alive, thanks to the miracle of AIDS drugs and Malaria drugs... They will be doctors, they will be nurses, they will be scientists, who will live to solve great problems.
Yes, there are many obstacles. Of course, there are always roadblocks in the way of justice. But God will put a wind at our back and a rising road ahead, if we work with each other as one! One!"
—Desmond Tutu, message for U2's 360º Tour concerts, 2009
The Same People
"The same people who marched for Civil Rights in the United States, are the same people who protested Apartheid in South Africa, who are the same people who work for peace in Ireland, and are the same people who fought against Debt Slavery in the Jubilee Year 2000, who are the same beautiful people that I see when I look around this place tonight in three hundred and sixty degrees.
We are those people. We are the same person, because our voices were heard. Millions more of our brothers and sisters are alive, thanks to the miracle of AIDS drugs and Malaria drugs... They will be doctors, they will be nurses, they will be scientists, who will live to solve great problems.
Yes, there are many obstacles. Of course, there are always roadblocks in the way of justice. But God will put a wind at our back and a rising road ahead, if we work with each other as one! One!"
—Desmond Tutu, message for U2's 360º Tour concerts, 2009
RIP Brittany Murphy
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This is not a U2 post, but as a U2 fan, I am human and find sadness in the death of a 32-year old actress, who also starred in one of the best movies I've seen: 8 Mile.
Here is the story from the NY Daily news. I am sure more details will come, because she was VERY thin. But, for the moment, I feel terrible for her husband and family.
32 years old.
Too soon.
NY Daily News:
Here is the story from the NY Daily news. I am sure more details will come, because she was VERY thin. But, for the moment, I feel terrible for her husband and family.
32 years old.
Too soon.
NY Daily News:
Movie star Brittany Murphy is dead of a heart attack at 32.
She went into full cardiac arrest early Sunday and could not be revived, the Website TMZ reported.
The Los Angeles City Fire Department got a call from the home of Murphy's husbandSimon Monjack about 8 a.m., fire officials told TMZ.
She was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on arrival
Murphy starred in "8 Mile," and "Don't Say a Word."
The starlet became a household name among teens in 1995 as the sidekick in "Clueless," who went from awkward wall flower to snotty hottie.
A few years ago, she released the single "Faster Kill Pussycat," which became a dance club hit.
Her last big movie was "Sin City" in 2005.
Millions stolen from Adam Clayton
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This post taken from independent.ie.
By DON LAVERY
Sunday December 20 2009
U2 BASSIST Adam Clayton's personal assistant and housekeeper -- alleged to have misappropriated up to €1.8m of his money -- was lying low yesterday ahead of another High Court hearing tomorrow.
Carol Hawkins, who was employed by Clayton, is alleged to have spent the money on property, including a New York apartment, flash cars and jewellery, with €900 a month spent on a syndicate which maintained horses.
Yesterday a media posse laid siege to her modest detached Crannagh Road, Rathfarnham, home in Dublin which had the blinds drawn. Ms Hawkins, who has denied using the money in this way, was keeping a low profile.
In a surprise move late on Friday, Clayton secured a temporary court order freezing her assets. They will remain frozen at least until tomorrow when the case comes back before the High Court.
The court heard that Clayton, of Danesmoate Demesne, Kellystown Road, Rathfarnham, first became aware of problems in September 2008.
His senior counsel, Paul Sreenan, said Ms Hawkins confessed she had misappropriated €13,000 of his money. The U2 band member had dealt with this incident in "a compassionate manner". He had altered his financial arrangements and kept her in his employ.
But it had emerged since then that -- without his authorisation -- she had used his debit and credit cards for her own use and for her family's benefit.
On November 19 last, when the allegations were put to her, she had accepted the cards had been used and money was taken without Clayton's authorisation. But she had disputed the sums involved. Her employment was then ended by Clayton and the gardai had been told about "certain matters".
The lawyer said the former housekeeper had denied she bought a house, cars or flashy jewellery. When it was suggested to her she had been withdrawing about €600 twice daily for a period of 13 months, she said she had used it as needed.
She also acknowledged she had lodged some money into her own bank account and had breached her contract. An investigation revealed around €900 a month was spent on a syndicate which maintained horses.
It's also alleged that Ms Hawkins bought flights to Chicago for her son and members of a band in which he was involved. Clayton denies authorising this.
Mr Sreenan said a probe by two accountants revealed up to €1.8m seemed to have been misappropriated. The lawyer said it appeared an apartment in New York had been bought.
The U2 band member was concerned that Ms Hawkin's assets might be dissipated and this was why he was seeking the freezing order.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted the interim order sought. The order restrains Ms Hawkins from reducing her assets below €1.8m. It also entitles her to €1,000 for living and legal expenses before the case is heard again in the High Court tomorrow.
- DON LAVERY
Sunday Independent
By DON LAVERY
Sunday December 20 2009
U2 BASSIST Adam Clayton's personal assistant and housekeeper -- alleged to have misappropriated up to €1.8m of his money -- was lying low yesterday ahead of another High Court hearing tomorrow.
Carol Hawkins, who was employed by Clayton, is alleged to have spent the money on property, including a New York apartment, flash cars and jewellery, with €900 a month spent on a syndicate which maintained horses.
Yesterday a media posse laid siege to her modest detached Crannagh Road, Rathfarnham, home in Dublin which had the blinds drawn. Ms Hawkins, who has denied using the money in this way, was keeping a low profile.
In a surprise move late on Friday, Clayton secured a temporary court order freezing her assets. They will remain frozen at least until tomorrow when the case comes back before the High Court.
The court heard that Clayton, of Danesmoate Demesne, Kellystown Road, Rathfarnham, first became aware of problems in September 2008.
His senior counsel, Paul Sreenan, said Ms Hawkins confessed she had misappropriated €13,000 of his money. The U2 band member had dealt with this incident in "a compassionate manner". He had altered his financial arrangements and kept her in his employ.
But it had emerged since then that -- without his authorisation -- she had used his debit and credit cards for her own use and for her family's benefit.
On November 19 last, when the allegations were put to her, she had accepted the cards had been used and money was taken without Clayton's authorisation. But she had disputed the sums involved. Her employment was then ended by Clayton and the gardai had been told about "certain matters".
The lawyer said the former housekeeper had denied she bought a house, cars or flashy jewellery. When it was suggested to her she had been withdrawing about €600 twice daily for a period of 13 months, she said she had used it as needed.
She also acknowledged she had lodged some money into her own bank account and had breached her contract. An investigation revealed around €900 a month was spent on a syndicate which maintained horses.
It's also alleged that Ms Hawkins bought flights to Chicago for her son and members of a band in which he was involved. Clayton denies authorising this.
Mr Sreenan said a probe by two accountants revealed up to €1.8m seemed to have been misappropriated. The lawyer said it appeared an apartment in New York had been bought.
The U2 band member was concerned that Ms Hawkin's assets might be dissipated and this was why he was seeking the freezing order.
Ms Justice Mary Laffoy granted the interim order sought. The order restrains Ms Hawkins from reducing her assets below €1.8m. It also entitles her to €1,000 for living and legal expenses before the case is heard again in the High Court tomorrow.
- DON LAVERY
Sunday Independent
December 17, 2009
U2: Top Tour of 2009
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From the amazing people at @u2.
U2 SCORES TOP TOUR OF 2009, SECOND OF DECADE
Full recap of U2 appearances on Billboard's year-end of decade-end charts
Billboard magazine has published dozens of lists recapping its chart tracking for both 2009 and the entire decade. The most jaw-dropping chart is the Top Touring Artists of the Decade, where U2 ranks number twooverall with nearly a billion dollars in gross revenue from touring -- $844,157,925 to be exact. The Rolling Stones are first, beating U2 by a paltry $25 million.
Billboard's numbers show U2 selling 9,869,953 tickets during the decade, second to the seemingly always-on-tour Dave Matthews Band (11,230,696). As for the 2009 calendar year, the U2 360 tour is ranked number one with more than $311 million gross and more than three million tickets sold.
Here's a look at U2's other appearances on Billboard's end-of-year and end-of-decade charts.
U2
Billboard's numbers show U2 selling 9,869,953 tickets during the decade, second to the seemingly always-on-tour Dave Matthews Band (11,230,696). As for the 2009 calendar year, the U2 360 tour is ranked number one with more than $311 million gross and more than three million tickets sold.
Here's a look at U2's other appearances on Billboard's end-of-year and end-of-decade charts.
U2
- #1 Touring Artist of 2009
- #2 Touring Artist of the decade
- #19 in 2009 "The Billboard 200 Artists" (whatever that means; they were not in "Hot 100 Artists" nor in "Top Artists")
- #9 in 2009 Digital Album Artist of 2009
- #87 in Artists of the Decade (but not in "Hot 100 Artists" of the decade)
- #44 on "The Billboard 200 Artists" of the decade
- #25 Top Rock Song Artist of the decade
All That You Can't Leave Behind
#68 on "The Billboard 200 Albums" of the decade
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
#124 on "The Billboard 200 Albums" of the decade
No Line On The Horizon
#68 on "The Billboard 200 Albums" of the decade
How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
#124 on "The Billboard 200 Albums" of the decade
No Line On The Horizon
- #18 The Billboard 200 Albums of 2009
- #5 Top Rock Albums of 2009
- #12 Top Digital Albums of 2009
- #25 Top Digital Albums of the decade
- #4 Top Alternative Albums of 2009
- #5 Top European Albums of 2009
- #18 Top Canadian Albums of 2009
The Best of 1980-1990
#41 Top Catalog Albums of the decade
"Beautiful Day"
#90 Top Rock Songs of the decade
"Magnificent"
#96 European Hot 100 Singles of 2009
"Get On Your Boots"
#99 European Hot 100 Singles of 2009
#41 Top Catalog Albums of the decade
"Beautiful Day"
#90 Top Rock Songs of the decade
"Magnificent"
#96 European Hot 100 Singles of 2009
"Get On Your Boots"
#99 European Hot 100 Singles of 2009
If you're curious, Billboard says its charts are "calculated using custom formulas collecting sales, streaming and radio play."
December 12, 2009
Winter: Original version and "Brothers" Version
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In February 2009, AllU2 published a link to the unreleased song, "Winter." U2 has now released it for the movie "Brothers". The song has been lightened and produced differently.
Click here to see the Feb 2009 post and download the original version as part of Linear.
Click here to find the original version by itself, or play below:
Click here to find the new version, to be on the "Brothers" soundtrack.
Which do you prefer?
Click here to see the Feb 2009 post and download the original version as part of Linear.
Click here to find the original version by itself, or play below:
Click here to find the new version, to be on the "Brothers" soundtrack.
Which do you prefer?
Free U2 Remix!
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This post is taken from Undercover.com.au.
----------------------
by Paul Cashmere - December 11 2009
photo by Ros O'Gorman
U2 is giving away a free download of the remix of `I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight’ by DJ Christopher Lawrence.
The song is the 5th single from the album ‘No Line On The Horizon’.
Lawrence says, “being given the opportunity to remix one of U2's songs was a dream come true. Bono's voice is a such a signature sound to the band's identity, I felt it was important to use as much of the original vocals of the song as possible to maintain the integrity of the song".
The song was used in the television commercial for a Blackberry application called ‘U2 Mobile App’
Get your free download here
----------------------
Free U2 Remix Available For Download
U2, Telstra Dome
photo by Ros O'Gorman
U2 is giving away a free download of the remix of `I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight’ by DJ Christopher Lawrence.
The song is the 5th single from the album ‘No Line On The Horizon’.
Lawrence says, “being given the opportunity to remix one of U2's songs was a dream come true. Bono's voice is a such a signature sound to the band's identity, I felt it was important to use as much of the original vocals of the song as possible to maintain the integrity of the song".
The song was used in the television commercial for a Blackberry application called ‘U2 Mobile App’
Get your free download here
U2: Evolution in Pics
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To read the following post on its original site, click here.
The writer of the post is not a true U2 fan, and has typos, but I am the typo-backspace king, so who am I to judge?
Here's the post. Thanks to Barry on Facebook for sharing this:
The writer of the post is not a true U2 fan, and has typos, but I am the typo-backspace king, so who am I to judge?
Here's the post. Thanks to Barry on Facebook for sharing this:
The Evolution of U2 in Photos
I went to the U2 Concert at the Meadowlands back in October and I have to say of the three that I’ve been to it was the one I liked least. Personally I just think their music is kind of weird these days. And honestly I was a little disappointed.
However that doesn’t mean that when they played their 80s stuff I wasn’t going nuts. But of the 25-30 songs that they did play, I felt like only about 1/3 was their good stuff. Don’t get me wrong, I think Bono
is going to be doing these concerts well into his 70s and I think they are one of the all time greatest bands to ever live.
And that’s exactly why I dug up a whole bunch of pictures of these guys. Bear in mind these pictures aren’t all in order but I did separate them by era.
Enjoy this evolution of U2 in pictures
The Early Years
When They Got Huge - 83-90ish
When they Started to Get Weird to Present
December 10, 2009
U2 Tops Rolling Stone
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Taken from Contact Music. You can enjoy the following post on its original location by clicking here.
Caption: U2 (Picture) play the first of three sold out shows in their home town of Dublin at Croke Park Stadium Dublin, Ireland ....
U2 TOP ROLLING STONE 2009 POLLS
U2's NO LINE ON THE HORIZON has topped Rolling Stone magazine's Best Albums of 2009 poll.
The release beat Bruce Springsteen's Working on a Dream, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix and Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3.
Meanwhile, U2 have also scored the Best Song of 2009 honour with Moment of Surrender. The song beat Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen's Outlaw Pete among the editors' picks.
Precious was named Best Movie, ahead of Up In The Air and The Hurt Locker.
The release beat Bruce Springsteen's Working on a Dream, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix by Phoenix and Jay-Z's The Blueprint 3.
Meanwhile, U2 have also scored the Best Song of 2009 honour with Moment of Surrender. The song beat Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen's Outlaw Pete among the editors' picks.
Precious was named Best Movie, ahead of Up In The Air and The Hurt Locker.
10 December 2009 01:36
December 8, 2009
From Me 2 U
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I don't have the most flashy U2 blog around. There are many, many amazing blogs and websites dedicated to U2, but right now, at this moment, you are here and I want to thank you for stopping by. Whether you follow AllU2, or came here by accident, I hope you have fun while you are here. I created this blog to share my passion for U2 with others like you, and it has been wonderful getting to meet other U2 fans who share the same passion as I do. I remember sitting in my studio with a former co-worker who helped me come up with a cool name to call people who tweet U2 and follow the AllU2 twitter page: U2ters.
Using personal sources I have, stemming from friends within radio and the music industry, combined with internet sources and sites, I've been able to post about the band like I never thought I'd have been able to. The goal is to create a one-stop shop of a blog.
It's a work in progress, and writing the blog is sometimes a careful balancing act in which my personal life sits on the other side of the teeter-totter.
That said, I am hoping to find a new template and design for AllU2, and am excited about future posts in 2010.
It's one thing to build a bond with a band, it's another when U2 fans can share that bond in this evolving world of social media. It's been a ton of fun and I hope you enjoy yourself here.
Follow AllU2 on twitter: www.twitter.com/AllU2 and bookmark All U2, All The Time. Your comments are always welcome and I look forward to the future of this blog and continuing to meet U2ters like you.
Thank you.
Chris
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Using personal sources I have, stemming from friends within radio and the music industry, combined with internet sources and sites, I've been able to post about the band like I never thought I'd have been able to. The goal is to create a one-stop shop of a blog.
It's a work in progress, and writing the blog is sometimes a careful balancing act in which my personal life sits on the other side of the teeter-totter.
That said, I am hoping to find a new template and design for AllU2, and am excited about future posts in 2010.
It's one thing to build a bond with a band, it's another when U2 fans can share that bond in this evolving world of social media. It's been a ton of fun and I hope you enjoy yourself here.
Follow AllU2 on twitter: www.twitter.com/AllU2 and bookmark All U2, All The Time. Your comments are always welcome and I look forward to the future of this blog and continuing to meet U2ters like you.
Thank you.
Chris
December 6, 2009
Bono: "I'm overpaid, so shoot me"
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The U2 frontman made the comments after launching a campaign supported by Nike and Apple, urging people to buy clothes and electronics to help fund aid project in Africa.
When asked if he thought people were sympathetic to a campaign fronted by someone with his wealth, he told the Daily Mail: “You can still contribute even if you are not as fortunate as I am.
“I've been blessed and I've been over-rewarded for what I do and I'm trying to give my time and my resources but you know, I'm a rich rock star, so shoot me.
“I'm having a great life and even though I can be a pain in the a*** going on about all this stuff, the band feel strongly about it too.”
On Monday Bono launched the Lace Up Save Lives campaign – a partnership between Nike and the (RED) brand, which he co-founded.
Gap, Apple and Dell are among others to sign up to the initiative, with money spent on certain products going to the campaign.
Bono said he was not asking people to put their hands in their own pockets, but the pockets of big corporations.
Earlier this year, leading charities including Oxfam attacked U2 for moving their business to the Netherlands where there is virtually no tax on royalties. It deprived Ireland of revenue and the government then cut its overseas aid budget.
The move came in 2006 after the Irish government introduced a cap of €250,000 (£230,000) on tax-free incomes for artists. It meant the band would have faced a multi-million pound tax bill because of their huge album sales, tour receipts and royalties. It is believed to have saved them around £15m.
Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, said he did not mind criticism from people “doing their bit”.
“I think it's OK to criticise me as long as the ones who are doing so are doing their bit,” he said.
“With this campaign, I'm not asking people to put their hands in their pockets. I'm asking them to put the hands in the pockets of the companies like Apple and I'm not sure people really get that.
“I'm surprised that people are interested in talking to me any more. They must just think, ‘God, he's back again’.”
Read this on its original site, The Telegraph, here.
-------
Bono: 'I'm overpaid, so shoot me'
Bono, the multi-millionaire rock star and frontman of U2, has admitted that he is overpaid but dismissed claims of hypocrisy for preaching about poverty in developing countries.
Bono has dismissed hypocrisy claims for preaching about poverty Photo: AP
When asked if he thought people were sympathetic to a campaign fronted by someone with his wealth, he told the Daily Mail: “You can still contribute even if you are not as fortunate as I am.
“I've been blessed and I've been over-rewarded for what I do and I'm trying to give my time and my resources but you know, I'm a rich rock star, so shoot me.
“I'm having a great life and even though I can be a pain in the a*** going on about all this stuff, the band feel strongly about it too.”
On Monday Bono launched the Lace Up Save Lives campaign – a partnership between Nike and the (RED) brand, which he co-founded.
Gap, Apple and Dell are among others to sign up to the initiative, with money spent on certain products going to the campaign.
Bono said he was not asking people to put their hands in their own pockets, but the pockets of big corporations.
Earlier this year, leading charities including Oxfam attacked U2 for moving their business to the Netherlands where there is virtually no tax on royalties. It deprived Ireland of revenue and the government then cut its overseas aid budget.
The move came in 2006 after the Irish government introduced a cap of €250,000 (£230,000) on tax-free incomes for artists. It meant the band would have faced a multi-million pound tax bill because of their huge album sales, tour receipts and royalties. It is believed to have saved them around £15m.
Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, said he did not mind criticism from people “doing their bit”.
“I think it's OK to criticise me as long as the ones who are doing so are doing their bit,” he said.
“With this campaign, I'm not asking people to put their hands in their pockets. I'm asking them to put the hands in the pockets of the companies like Apple and I'm not sure people really get that.
“I'm surprised that people are interested in talking to me any more. They must just think, ‘God, he's back again’.”
December 5, 2009
Lunch with Paul McGuinness
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You may enjoy the following post on its original website here. (FT.com)
Published: December 4 2009 15:28 | Last updated: December 4 2009 15:28
“I figured out bad wine costs the same as good wine, so why not learn about it,” says Paul McGuinness as he orders a $69 bottle of Oregon pinot noir. “I probably imposed that on the young U2. We had a practice when we were first touring. We’d economise on hotels but go to good restaurants.”
More than three decades and 140m records after McGuinness, now 58, started managing four Dublin teenagers, the world’s most successful band stay in rather better hotels and he has been able to put his money where his mouth is, as an early investor in the Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant where we now sit.
It has taken us three hours to get to our corner table in the Spotted Pig, which feels more of a village inn than the London gastropubs it is supposed to resemble. McGuinness had suggested we meet first at Madison Square Garden to watch U2 rehearse for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary show.
In an almost empty arena, I have been granted a private concert and a glimpse of why McGuinness is one of the few people in the miserable modern music industry to be noted for their business acumen.
Elvis had Colonel Tom Parker, and John, Paul, George and Ringo had Brian Epstein. McGuinness is U2’s fifth Beatle. He claims no creative role but can take credit for a series of eye-catching deals that have led to U2-branded iPods, 3D concert films, a 12-year touring deal with Live Nation, sponsorship from BlackBerry and, just before we meet, the first concert streamed live on YouTube, which was seen by 10m people around the world. Most importantly, Landau adds, McGuinness locked down the band’s master recordings and lucrative publishing rights.
On stage, I have watched Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen run through a lengthy set with guests including Springsteen and Patti Smith. Mick Jagger, the only man who competes with U2’s stadium-filling ability, has prowled about the stage with Fergie, the lead singer with the Black Eyed Peas. She has floored everybody with a scorching assault on the opening bars of “Gimme Shelter”.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE
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You may enjoy the following post on its original website here. (FT.com)
Lunch with the FT: Paul McGuinness
By Andrew Edgecliffe-JohnsonPublished: December 4 2009 15:28 | Last updated: December 4 2009 15:28
“I figured out bad wine costs the same as good wine, so why not learn about it,” says Paul McGuinness as he orders a $69 bottle of Oregon pinot noir. “I probably imposed that on the young U2. We had a practice when we were first touring. We’d economise on hotels but go to good restaurants.”More than three decades and 140m records after McGuinness, now 58, started managing four Dublin teenagers, the world’s most successful band stay in rather better hotels and he has been able to put his money where his mouth is, as an early investor in the Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant where we now sit.
It has taken us three hours to get to our corner table in the Spotted Pig, which feels more of a village inn than the London gastropubs it is supposed to resemble. McGuinness had suggested we meet first at Madison Square Garden to watch U2 rehearse for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary show.
In an almost empty arena, I have been granted a private concert and a glimpse of why McGuinness is one of the few people in the miserable modern music industry to be noted for their business acumen.
Jon Landau, Bruce Springsteen’s manager since 1974, approaches as we watch U2 warm up. “The thing I dislike about Paul is, before he came along, I liked to think I was the best manager in the world,” he jokes. “Now Bruce likes to say, ‘I call my manager the American Paul McGuinness.’”
Elvis had Colonel Tom Parker, and John, Paul, George and Ringo had Brian Epstein. McGuinness is U2’s fifth Beatle. He claims no creative role but can take credit for a series of eye-catching deals that have led to U2-branded iPods, 3D concert films, a 12-year touring deal with Live Nation, sponsorship from BlackBerry and, just before we meet, the first concert streamed live on YouTube, which was seen by 10m people around the world. Most importantly, Landau adds, McGuinness locked down the band’s master recordings and lucrative publishing rights.
On stage, I have watched Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen run through a lengthy set with guests including Springsteen and Patti Smith. Mick Jagger, the only man who competes with U2’s stadium-filling ability, has prowled about the stage with Fergie, the lead singer with the Black Eyed Peas. She has floored everybody with a scorching assault on the opening bars of “Gimme Shelter”.
READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE HERE
U23D is back!
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Taken from the U23D Live site:
Taken from the U23D Live site:
U23D at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!
And what better place to see the film many fans and critics are calling "better than the real thing?!" Admission to the film is free with your Hall of Fame Museum admission, and it is being screened in the HOF's magnificent new Foster Theater.
Go to: http://www.rockhall.com/u23d for details on screening times.
Better, cheaper, more comfortable seats, and Bono up close and personal...you gotta see this film!
Go to: http://www.rockhall.com/u23d for details on screening times.
Better, cheaper, more comfortable seats, and Bono up close and personal...you gotta see this film!
December 3, 2009
Jim Sheridan & Bono
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Taken from a longer post from the LA Times. Click here to enjoy the full post on its original website.
Jim Sheridan's 'Brothers' looks deeply at family ties
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No one does a better impression of Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan than his old friend Bono. On a recent crystal-blue afternoon in L.A., the rock star, who was in town for a concert at the Rose Bowl, lifted his shoulders, dropped his chin and scowled like Popeye. He slapped a palm to his forehead and began rubbing hard, like a man trying to sandpaper off an eyebrow. Then in a growled brogue, he muttered: "Do you want to have a look at the pitch-chur? It's a ting about brud-ders."
Yes, the new Sheridan picture is "Brothers," and it's a thing about family, the nature of duty, war, guilt and calamity of the human heart. Bono and his mates in U2 saw a rough cut of the film, which hits theaters Friday, and jumped at the chance to contribute original music to the project. They recognized many familiar themes from Sheridan's illustrious body of past work (which includes films such as "My Left Foot," "In the Name of the Father," "The Boxer") but saw something new too in this tale about the wounds suffered by not only those on the battlefield, but by the loved ones left at home as well.
"Jim's stories have a kind of simplicity, usually, at the plot level and the complexities are in the drawing of the relationships," Bono said. "This one though is actually quite a complex plot line. He really went for this one. There are very strong feelings in this. It's a powerful, powerful film."
Sheridan, who does indeed rub his face and hairline with alarming and frequent gusto, has the aura these days of a man who knows he has something special on his hands. During two interviews, one in New York and the other in Los Angeles, the 60-year-old filmmaker spoke of "Brothers" as a new direction of sorts, and he was clearly enthused about the performances of his three stars, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.
"I think it's successful as a film, although it's not for me to judge," Sheridan said. "It's very accurate. It's elegant. It's a Cain and Abel story of sort. It's not a movie about the war in Afghanistan, it's a movie about a family that has a component in Afghanistan. It's not a liberal, antiwar film, either. It could be any war. As for it being antiwar, does anyone make pro-war movies?"
Read the rest here.
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Jim Sheridan's 'Brothers' looks deeply at family ties
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The Irish director's new film is about a war veteran, his wife and his ex-convict brother.
 (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) |
No one does a better impression of Irish filmmaker Jim Sheridan than his old friend Bono. On a recent crystal-blue afternoon in L.A., the rock star, who was in town for a concert at the Rose Bowl, lifted his shoulders, dropped his chin and scowled like Popeye. He slapped a palm to his forehead and began rubbing hard, like a man trying to sandpaper off an eyebrow. Then in a growled brogue, he muttered: "Do you want to have a look at the pitch-chur? It's a ting about brud-ders."
Yes, the new Sheridan picture is "Brothers," and it's a thing about family, the nature of duty, war, guilt and calamity of the human heart. Bono and his mates in U2 saw a rough cut of the film, which hits theaters Friday, and jumped at the chance to contribute original music to the project. They recognized many familiar themes from Sheridan's illustrious body of past work (which includes films such as "My Left Foot," "In the Name of the Father," "The Boxer") but saw something new too in this tale about the wounds suffered by not only those on the battlefield, but by the loved ones left at home as well.
"Jim's stories have a kind of simplicity, usually, at the plot level and the complexities are in the drawing of the relationships," Bono said. "This one though is actually quite a complex plot line. He really went for this one. There are very strong feelings in this. It's a powerful, powerful film."
Sheridan, who does indeed rub his face and hairline with alarming and frequent gusto, has the aura these days of a man who knows he has something special on his hands. During two interviews, one in New York and the other in Los Angeles, the 60-year-old filmmaker spoke of "Brothers" as a new direction of sorts, and he was clearly enthused about the performances of his three stars, Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.
"I think it's successful as a film, although it's not for me to judge," Sheridan said. "It's very accurate. It's elegant. It's a Cain and Abel story of sort. It's not a movie about the war in Afghanistan, it's a movie about a family that has a component in Afghanistan. It's not a liberal, antiwar film, either. It could be any war. As for it being antiwar, does anyone make pro-war movies?"
Read the rest here.
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