5 million

Rock promoter’s archives sold online

Wolfgang’s Vault is ‘the world’s most exceptional collection of poster art, vintage t-shirts, concert photos, concert tickets and other rock music memorabilia.’

The Vault contains the private collection of American rock promoter Bill Graham (born Wolfgang Grajonza), who died in a helicopter crash in 1991.

A Minneapolis entrepreneur named Bill Sagan bought the collection two and a half years ago, paying the then owners, Clear Channel, the sum of $5 million. Neither buyer nor seller were aware at the time that the archives contain rare rock recordings.

Graham counted U2 among his clients and his role in helping the band break America has been well documented. The collection features various posters, t-shirts and photographs of the band, which can be acquired through Wolgangsvault.com at elevated prices.

Merry Christmas, Boston!

Tonight’s show in Boston had U2 feeling a little ho-ho-ho, and it was all Santa’s doing. Early in the show, Bono spotted a fan dressed as Santa Claus, which inspired the U2 frontman to sing a snippet of “Baby Please Come Home” during “Beautiful Day,” shout out Christmas caroles and messages (Jingle bells, war is over), and then tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas: 5 million people to sign up for the One campaign, a fire truck, more time to spend with his children, and for The Edge to get a train set.

Santa was later pulled on stage, as was Elvis, during “Mysterious Way.” The strange trio — the U2 singer being the strangest one of them all — danced around the ellipse while wishing the audience “Merry Christmas.”