Inside the MusiCares Person of the Year Award Ceremony

billbono.jpg

“A person of integrity” — President Bill Clinton describes Bono

“Almost a saint, but an inspired sinner” — The Edge describes Bono

Actors, musicians, supermodels, politicians, and a U.S. president all turned out to pay tribute to Bono Friday evening at the MusiCares Foundation annual Person of the Year ceremony in New York City.

Khelia Johnson reports on the night’s events for U2log.com.

Guests began arriving at the red carpet entrance at the back of the Marriott Marquis Hotel around 5 p.m. to a swarm of fans and paparazzi. Among those who graced the red carpet were P Diddy, Jay Z, Tony Bennett, Tommy Mottola, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Stipe, Robert De Niro, David Bowie, Ed Burns, Salman Rushdie, Helena Christensen, Naomi Campbell, Christy Turlington, Jeffrey Sachs, Paul McGuinness, Dennis Sheehan, Dr. Ruth, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Senator Orrin Hatch.

Bono arrived at the hotel around 7:45 p.m., wearing a black suit, blue shirt, and red sunglasses. Ali, Jordan, and Eve accompanied him. As he traditionally does, Bono made time to greet his fans outside the hotel.

Inside, a silent auction was held in the ballroom on the fifth floor of the hotel from 5 to 7 p.m.. The auction included approximately 550 music, travel, and sports items. Proceeds from the auction benefited the MusiCares Foundation.

At 7 p.m., guests moved to the ballroom on the sixth floor for dinner. Bono sat at the front table with his family, Edge, Paul McGuinness, President Bill Clinton, and Jeffrey Sachs.

The program began around 9 p.m. The first speaker introduced Neil Portnow, the President of the Recording Academy, who spoke about Bono’s work in Africa and introduced the Children of Uganda. The Children of Uganda played drums and performed a traditional African dance. Following the African group’s performance, Portnow introduced Bill Clinton, who received a standing ovation as he walked to the stage.

Clinton spoke about his friendship with Bono before he presented him with the Person of the Year Award. Clinton recalled how he had first met U2 and became friends with Bono. He said Bono was able to do what he could not during his terms as president: get the support of Jesse Helms. Clinton called Bono “a person of integrity” and said that the world could use more people like him.

As Bono walked to the stage to accept the award, he received a standing ovation. Bono hugged Clinton and joked to the audience, “I try to keep my distance from tall people.”

During his acceptance speech, Bono thanked many of his friends and family (Edge, Ali, his daughters, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Paul McGuinness, Bobby Shriver) and
acknowledged certain friends who were in attendance (Salman Rushdie, Robert De Niro, David Bowie). When he reached a seemingly fitting end to his speech, he paused and said, “This is where I was planning to end, but it’s my night and everyone has paid quite a bit to be here, so you’ll have to listen to me.”

He went on to talk about how the war against poverty is bound up with the war against terrorism. He came out firmly against the war with Iraq. “We do not need to make a martyr out of Saddam Hussein. It is not as simple as war or no war. These are complex problems, and we need complex solutions,” Bono said.

He also remarked that Africa made America sexy and the Irish made America drunk, which drew laughter from the audience.

After Bono’s speech, Ashley Judd (who served as the hostess for the program) introduced the entertainment:

BB King and Wynona Judd – When Love Comes to Town
No Doubt – Sweetest Thing
Video montage of Bono’s work with Africa (Clips from Grammys, MTV Diary, VH1 Legends)
Mary J Blige – One
Nora Jones – Stuck in A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of
Jimmy Fallon (He came dressed as Adam Clayton and jokingly mocked Bono for winning too many awards.)
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – Stories for Boys
Patti LaBelle – Angel of Harlem (She said Bono and Clinton “were her boys” before her performance and received hugs from both after.)
And You Will Know Us by the Trail of the Dead – Electric Co.

Edge then took to the stage to congratulate Bono and talk about the band’s success. Edge said he wanted to thank the little people who had helped them along the way. He proceeded to list off Clinton, the Pope, and “Bush and his regime–oh, I mean administration,” which elicited a roar of laughter.

Edge jokingly talked about how U2 got their start when “men in suits and politicians were not to be trusted” and how ironic it was that now they were sitting next to those men at a black tie event. He commented on the strangeness of having someone like Jesse Helms backstage at one of their concerts and asked, “Where did it all go wrong?” Edge also spoke about who Bono really is and listed off characteristics that included “almost a saint, but an inspired sinner” and said, “they used to call him a nice bunch of guys — but that is a understatement.”

Following Edge’s speech, there was more entertainment:

Garbage – Pride – (Shirley Manson wore a U2 War Tank top similar to Bono’s from Blood Red Sky.)
Elvis Costello – Kite
Sheryl Crow – All I Want Is You

Elton John and Tina Turner sent video tributes because they could not attend the ceremony.

At the end of the program, Bono took to the stage and said he wanted to sing a bit himself and launched into a soulful version of “That’s Life” with piano, bass, and string accompaniment. After that song, he signaled for one more and started “Night and Day” (which was the same arrangement as on Red, Hot, and Blue). Edge joined him in the middle and played a great guitar solo on a Les Paul. The program closed with Bono and Edge performing “The Hands that Built America.”

58 thoughts on “Inside the MusiCares Person of the Year Award Ceremony”

  5. “He came out firmly against the war with Iraq.” Firmly? Nice editorial comment, but just report what he said, please: “It is not as simple as war or no war. These are complex problems, and we need complex solutions,

  6. “He came out firmly against the war with Iraq.” Firmly? Nice editorial comment, but just report what he said, please: “It is not as simple as war or no war. These are complex problems, and we need complex solutions,

  7. Relating to what watts said… I think Bono’s playing the whole Iraq issue very nicely. He obviously isn’t going to come out pro-war, but he’s not gonna go nuts like Martin Sheen and go picketing around like an idiot. He knows there are very complex issues here, and use of the military, although an undesired option, may be the only option. Plus, if he goes nuts saying how America’s beating the war drums and Bush is evil and all that crap that the lefties are yellin’, it will really hurt him when he comes back to Capital Hill to lobby for his AIDS work.

  8. Relating to what watts said… I think Bono’s playing the whole Iraq issue very nicely. He obviously isn’t going to come out pro-war, but he’s not gonna go nuts like Martin Sheen and go picketing around like an idiot. He knows there are very complex issues here, and use of the military, although an undesired option, may be the only option. Plus, if he goes nuts saying how America’s beating the war drums and Bush is evil and all that crap that the lefties are yellin’, it will really hurt him when he comes back to Capital Hill to lobby for his AIDS work.

  11. Pretty darn impressive guest list, wouldn’t you say… where was Bertie Ahern? Did Larry not get an invite to this one as well? “Same Bono, different award”

    Were the songs recorded? Any chance they’ll be up on the web anytime soon?

  12. Pretty darn impressive guest list, wouldn’t you say… where was Bertie Ahern? Did Larry not get an invite to this one as well? “Same Bono, different award”

    Were the songs recorded? Any chance they’ll be up on the web anytime soon?

  21. “broken bottles under children’s feet…bodies strewn across the dead-end street / but I won’t head the battle call.
    ”

    Greetings from the Pacific NW.

    As a Seattle war protester, WTO participant, and all-around pragmatic Lefty, I do NOT have a *major* problem w/ Bono toe’in the line in regards to IRAQ … But I do have my reservations.

    In an ideal world, he would say what he really thinks: Presumably, “No war … ever!” …

    I’ve been anxiously looking for these words from him these past weeks. Apparently, he *WAS* going to go to IRAQ a la Sean Penn, but that was only Jan 2003 rumour.

    Let’s take you back to U2’s 3rd leg in America …

    I found the flavor quite strange and bitter in VEGAS 2001 post-sept-11. When U2 sang Bloody Sunday, I think the irony was lost we were bombing Afghanistan. I saw an audience CATHARTING to the words, but only in regards to our own Twin Towers attack. It became self-righteous pro-America nationalism; when the original meaning was simple NO MORE, NO WAR.

    These are all random thoughts; but what can I say? Bono’s NOT going to blow his Political Capital on something he’s not going to change.

    david s. seattle

  22. “broken bottles under children’s feet…bodies strewn across the dead-end street / but I won’t head the battle call.
    ”

    Greetings from the Pacific NW.

    As a Seattle war protester, WTO participant, and all-around pragmatic Lefty, I do NOT have a *major* problem w/ Bono toe’in the line in regards to IRAQ … But I do have my reservations.

    In an ideal world, he would say what he really thinks: Presumably, “No war … ever!” …

    I’ve been anxiously looking for these words from him these past weeks. Apparently, he *WAS* going to go to IRAQ a la Sean Penn, but that was only Jan 2003 rumour.

    Let’s take you back to U2’s 3rd leg in America …

    I found the flavor quite strange and bitter in VEGAS 2001 post-sept-11. When U2 sang Bloody Sunday, I think the irony was lost we were bombing Afghanistan. I saw an audience CATHARTING to the words, but only in regards to our own Twin Towers attack. It became self-righteous pro-America nationalism; when the original meaning was simple NO MORE, NO WAR.

    These are all random thoughts; but what can I say? Bono’s NOT going to blow his Political Capital on something he’s not going to change.

    david s. seattle

  23. Pacifism at all costs amounts to total appeasement; you can’t appease every tyrant, so it amounts to being steamrolled by tyranny. Perhaps Bono is not so naive to think that every problem can be solved at the negotiating table. At any rate I think that a “pragmatic lefty” who opposes all war regardless of the circumstances is in no way pragmatic.

  24. Pacifism at all costs amounts to total appeasement; you can’t appease every tyrant, so it amounts to being steamrolled by tyranny. Perhaps Bono is not so naive to think that every problem can be solved at the negotiating table. At any rate I think that a “pragmatic lefty” who opposes all war regardless of the circumstances is in no way pragmatic.

  25. I would kill for all the mp3’s (speeches too) from this night… If nothing else, NIGHT AND DAY, PLEASE!!!

  26. I would kill for all the mp3’s (speeches too) from this night… If nothing else, NIGHT AND DAY, PLEASE!!!

  27. To the man that quoted Sunday Bloody Sunday… you do realize Bono is now 42 and not 22? Right? People’s views can change and often do. Idealism often changes to realism. I don’t know exactly Bono feels about all of this, but quoting a song that he wrote when he was a naive youth doesn’t apply to to how he feels as a seasonsed adult. By the way, your protesting in Seattle… waste of time.

  28. To the man that quoted Sunday Bloody Sunday… you do realize Bono is now 42 and not 22? Right? People’s views can change and often do. Idealism often changes to realism. I don’t know exactly Bono feels about all of this, but quoting a song that he wrote when he was a naive youth doesn’t apply to to how he feels as a seasonsed adult. By the way, your protesting in Seattle… waste of time.

  33. In my above post, I meant “Clinton-esque parsing” in the most complimentary way, I swear! I like Bill, too (not as much as Monica likes him, though :-0) *

  34. In my above post, I meant “Clinton-esque parsing” in the most complimentary way, I swear! I like Bill, too (not as much as Monica likes him, though :-0) *

  37. Why do people think that just because the event happened that someone magically has access to mp3s or videos? I don’t think anyone managed to sneak in an audio or video recorder, especially considering the fact that it was all celebs there. This whole I want it, and I want it now mentality is annoying. Vh1 and TNN have both acquired the rights (as was posted on this page in other comments sections various times). So it will be broadcast, and when it will you can get your greedy paws on the mp3s. Until then, have some patience maybe?

  38. Why do people think that just because the event happened that someone magically has access to mp3s or videos? I don’t think anyone managed to sneak in an audio or video recorder, especially considering the fact that it was all celebs there. This whole I want it, and I want it now mentality is annoying. Vh1 and TNN have both acquired the rights (as was posted on this page in other comments sections various times). So it will be broadcast, and when it will you can get your greedy paws on the mp3s. Until then, have some patience maybe?

  39. David, spare us all, please. We are all adults enough to make our own etimation on what’s going on. By the way, when was the last time Bono came out firmly on anything? (That’s a joke by the way.)

  40. David, spare us all, please. We are all adults enough to make our own etimation on what’s going on. By the way, when was the last time Bono came out firmly on anything? (That’s a joke by the way.)

  43. did anyone see the grammys?
    i took note that we did not see bono once, however robin williams was there – which only adds credence to the disturbing rumour that he and bono are one and the same man. spooky.

  44. did anyone see the grammys?
    i took note that we did not see bono once, however robin williams was there – which only adds credence to the disturbing rumour that he and bono are one and the same man. spooky.

  45. I was at the event, as a paid guest. Vonb, Watts was right to bring up Khelia’s (who is a friend of mine) editorial use of the description “firmly.” Bono did NOT come out firmly against — or firmly for (the war). What he seemed to be firmly against is the idea that this is a simple situation of right or wrong. The rest of her report was bang-on, except it could be added that “the first speaker” (who introduced Recording Academy president Neil Portnow) was a gentleman named Hank Neuberger. I used to work for Hank. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Musicares.

  46. I was at the event, as a paid guest. Vonb, Watts was right to bring up Khelia’s (who is a friend of mine) editorial use of the description “firmly.” Bono did NOT come out firmly against — or firmly for (the war). What he seemed to be firmly against is the idea that this is a simple situation of right or wrong. The rest of her report was bang-on, except it could be added that “the first speaker” (who introduced Recording Academy president Neil Portnow) was a gentleman named Hank Neuberger. I used to work for Hank. He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Musicares.

  47. First, did everybody miss the fact that Bono participated in the recent antiwar demonstration in Dublin which was coordinated with protest in many other European cities.
    Second, the point about Bono spending his political currency on this issue is right on. He has to be very careful about messing with the access and influence he already has to the power structure. After all, !5 billion for Africa is not chicken feed. It would be foolish to blow his ability to influence that kind of decision by being confrontational about the war. He has given the correct signals in a nonconfrontational way. Let’s leave it at that.

  48. First, did everybody miss the fact that Bono participated in the recent antiwar demonstration in Dublin which was coordinated with protest in many other European cities.
    Second, the point about Bono spending his political currency on this issue is right on. He has to be very careful about messing with the access and influence he already has to the power structure. After all, !5 billion for Africa is not chicken feed. It would be foolish to blow his ability to influence that kind of decision by being confrontational about the war. He has given the correct signals in a nonconfrontational way. Let’s leave it at that.

  51. It’s not like De Niro was running the camera’s and sound for the event, it was average people who might understand that fans would like to hear stuff like this… Obviously not every fan does, but I do, so if someone has mp3’s before the broadcast comes out, great!!! I also missed the today show appearance this morning because of the local news being morons about the icy road conditions here in Texas, so just becasue it’s going to be broadcast that doesn’t mean we are all going to get to see it… How about we all stop bitching at each other and enjoy U2 like adults???

  52. It’s not like De Niro was running the camera’s and sound for the event, it was average people who might understand that fans would like to hear stuff like this… Obviously not every fan does, but I do, so if someone has mp3’s before the broadcast comes out, great!!! I also missed the today show appearance this morning because of the local news being morons about the icy road conditions here in Texas, so just becasue it’s going to be broadcast that doesn’t mean we are all going to get to see it… How about we all stop bitching at each other and enjoy U2 like adults???

  57. Watts, PC – point taken. Don’t mind critique, but didn’t like the way it was phrased. Sorry if I went overboard, I was mostly joking.

  58. Watts, PC – point taken. Don’t mind critique, but didn’t like the way it was phrased. Sorry if I went overboard, I was mostly joking.

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