95 to life

Musicians sign copyright advert

Ireland vs Great Britain

Comment: Brenda Power: Forget the chip, let Bono take it on shoulder – Sunday Times – Times Online

Back to the 80s

TO SIR, WITH LOVE : People.com

Bono: “Maybe the rock will have to go…”

Can we have a hallelujah on that? Oh, there’s more to it: “Maybe the rock has to get a lot harder.” Hmm.

Rock. Hard place. Stuck? Bono’s talked to Jo Whiley on BBC 1 over Christmas, the audio of which you can listen to on the BBC website. Well, you could, if the damn link to the mp3 was working. Luckily Atu2blog.com’s transcribed the most newsworthy bits of the hour-long show. (update: BBC download is now working.)

“[...] our band has certainly reached the end of where we’ve been at for the last couple of albums. I want to see what else we can do with it, take it to the next level; I think that’s what we’ve got to do.”

We’re pretty sure the next level will sound just like U2.

Bono, Ali and Gavin at Gerry Ryan’s mother’s funeral

Bono, Farrell pay respects at funeral of Gerry Ryan’s ‘stoical’ mother – Irish Independent

Happy Holidays

Continuing a U2log.com tradition, this year we once again bring you some more goodies to keep you company through the holiday season and into the new year.

Unreleased tracks have often been featured in the past, and this year is no exception. We are pleased to share with you three seldom before heard remixes by Andy “Redanka” Holt.

These downloads will be available for a limited time only.

Merry Christmas!

Honorary Knighthood for Bono

Bono will receive an honorary knighthood. The British Ambassador to Ireland, Mr David Reddaway, announced the news on Saturday.

He will receive the honour, Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order, for “his services to the music industry and for his humanitarian work.” The ceremony will take place in Dublin shortly after New Year’s Day. Bono will not be adding his name to the long list of people who have declined a British honour, like David Bowie, Francis Bacon and John Lennon, who eventually returned his MBE.

Knights and Dames Grand Cross and Knights and Dames Commander who are not not citizens of the United Kingdom or another country ruled by the Queen are not entitled to the prefix “Sir” or “Dame”, but may still use the post-nominal abbreviations: Paul Hewson, KBE.

A statement on U2.com reads:

We understand that Bono is ‘very flattered’ to be honoured, particularly if the honour – like its French counterpart – opens doors for his long standing campaigning work against extreme poverty in Africa.

The sainthood can’t be far off. Though maybe The Mrs has dibs.

• The Independent: Arise, Sir Bono!
• NME: U2 star to be knighted

Bonosan and his two best mates

The Funky Trinity visiting a church in Japan

Window In the Skies Video

Bonus points to the u2log reader that names everyone in the video.

Direct link for RSS readers.

Hats off to the Independent Charity Auction

British newspaper The Independent is auctioning off 43 items linked to work of the paper. All funds raised are split between three charities: Merlin, The Welfare Association (UK) and Anti-Slavery International.

Scroll down the page to find a link to Lot 42: Achtung Baby – Bono’s contribution: a RED T-shirt, a signed poster and black ipod, as well as the hat Bono wore while picking racing tips for the paper.

As of December 14, 2pm CET, with almost a week to go bids stand at a respectable £ 1300.00.