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Bono moves in "manipulative ways"...
Just more proof Bono's ego far outweighs his heart.
By SHAWN POGATCHNIK, Associated Press Writer
DUBLIN, Ireland - U2 stars Bono and The Edge won a four-year legal battle Thursday to reshape their old-fashioned Dublin hotel, the Clarence, into a futuristic landmark — a decision that appeared to fly in the face of Ireland's conservative planning laws.
Ireland's planning board approved a $235 million plan produced by British architect Lord Norman Foster to gut and drastically expand the riverside hotel. The new complex would more than triple the number of its rooms to 166 and would feature a massive, floodlit glass roof atrium.
Bono, The Edge and their property-development partner Paddy McKillen said that the verdict was "great news for Dublin and for Temple Bar in particular." Temple Bar is the neighboring cobblestone-street tourist district packed with pubs and music.
Their opponents said, however, that the decision demonstrated the exceptional political clout wielded by Dublin's most famous musical sons.
"We would obviously condemn the decision. It undermines national legislation on architectural heritage because of the number of protected sites being demolished," said Ian Lumley, an officer with An Taisce, Ireland's heritage-protection organization.
Lumley said Foster's grandiose design was "a very impressively conceived scheme but in the wrong place. This would not be allowed in areas of comparable sensitivity in any other European countries."
The planning authority ordered the developers to preserve the facades of six buildings: the 1930s Art Deco original hotel and five other adjacent Georgian and Victorian properties being swallowed up by the future Clarence. It also ordered that an archaeologist be on the construction site at all times.
The planning panel said Foster's envisioned hotel "would provide a building of unique quality and architectural distinction" that would "in time become a significant feature in vistas along the Liffey (River) and would ensure the continued historic hotel use of a signature building."
Conservationists had successfully blocked an earlier, even bigger design for the hotel's redevelopment and fought the scaled-down Foster plans. The Irish government's environmental department also opposed the plans, as did a council-hired conservation architect, Claire Hogan.
Bono, The Edge and U2's other members — bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen — are among Ireland's wealthiest residents. In 2006 the band moved its royalties-collection company to Amsterdam, Holland, to maintain the tax-free status of their music profits, even as they have continued to amass a property portfolio in their homeland.
A Foster-designed U2 Tower has also been approved by planning authorities to become Ireland's tallest building. The planned 400-foot building is to be built by 2012 further east on the Liffey waterfront in a run-down area. U2's new recording studios will be at the top.
Just more proof Bono's ego far outweighs his heart. By SHAWN POGATCHNIK, Associated Press Writer ... more -
Bono Apologizes for Paul McGuinness
I wanted to set the record straight on behalf of the members of U2 on comments made to the BBC by our much-loved and valued manager, Paul McGuinness, regarding Radiohead’s decision to make the music of ‘In Rainbows’ available as a download, using the ‘honesty box’ idea for payment.
We agree with our manager that this is a head-scratching and worrisome time for many musicians who, unlike ourselves, are depending on royalty or publishing cheques to pay the rent (particularly songwriters). We also agree that it is disturbing to see internet service providers and technology companies profit from the so-called ‘disintermediation’ of the music business when so many music lovers are losing their jobs. And while there is no doubt that it’s extremely difficult for a new artist to get the kind of investment on which U2 depended in the first few wobbly years of recording, we disagree with Paul’s assessment of Radiohead’s release as “having backfired to a certain extent.” We think they were courageous and imaginative in trying to figure out some new relationship with their audience. Such imagination and courage are in short supply right now…they’re a sacred talent and we feel blessed to be around at the same time.
With respect,
Bono I wanted to set the record straight on behalf of the members of U2 on comments made to the BBC by our much-loved and valued manage... more -
African Union
SpookyFish comments on "Bono Wants US of Africa".
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..........QUESTION--ONE...............
Please join.......United Friends Of.......Earth.....no dues....no uniforms.........
just do everything you can to help change the direction we are going..........
.......Give Mother Earth the respect she deserves......................................... Please join.......United Friends Of.......Earth.....no dues....no uniforms......... ... more -
U2 add rarities, live tracks and B-sides to reissues
The reissues of U2’s first three albums — Boy, October and War — will each contain discs full of rarities and live performances as well as B-sides from the era. The reissues of U2’s first three albums — Boy, October and War — will each contain discs full of rarities and live performances as wel... more
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Bono wants United States of Africa
Pop star and activist Bono has called for the creation of a United States of Africa, saying that a pan-continental identity would serve as a catalyst for resolving its conflicts.
The U2 frontman, who was in Japan to take part in a major development conference last week, said that a United States of Africa "would be the dream" in the long term. "I think a kind of broader African identity is going to be very important to deal with tribal tensions,"
The Irish rock star said that developing a broader identity may seem largely "poetic," but has been proven successful. "Irish people used to always have a little giggle when they would see Americans saluting their flags in schools, and then the whole standing there, singing the flag thing," Bono said.
"But as you get to know a little bit more about things, you start to think, ah, there's so many different tribal groups in the United States, that to create a national identity of that size, they had to really work at this kind of patriotism," he said.
The African Union was created in 2002 with inspiration from the European Union, but critics say the body has lacked the funds and political will to take effective action on the continent's flashpoints. It intervened in 2004 in the strife-torn western Sudanese region of Darfur, but has relinquished leadership to the United Nations to form a joint peacekeeping force. Pop star and activist Bono has called for the creation of a United States of Africa, saying that a pan-continental identity would serv... more -
Bono is evil
I love Bono and all the good work he does for the world, but there is a place for everything. And as this story very eloquently illustrates, sometimes a rock concert is just not that place. I love Bono and all the good work he does for the world, but there is a place for everything. And as this story very eloquently illus... more
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Bono continues to bring the world together with RED
Bono’s (RED) campaign to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa hooked up with Damien Hirst for a red-themed mega-auction at Sotheby’s in New York.
The A-list Valentine’s event is expected to raise more than $25 million for the cause, with several works from Hirst and stellar contributions from his pals, including Takashi Murakami, Jeff Koons, Richard Prince, Jasper Johns and Banksy, going on the selling block.
Hirst appeared last night on Charlie Rose to discuss his relationship with the U.2. front man, the organization of this benefit, his career and latest überwerk “For the Love of God,” the $100 million diamond-encrusted skull.
God I love Bono! Bono’s (RED) campaign to combat the AIDS epidemic in Africa hooked up with Damien Hirst for a red-themed mega-auction at Sotheby’s in ... more -
Product(RED) is actually in the (RED)
Just over a year ago, Bono started Red, a campaign that combined consumerism and altruism. Since then, consumers have generated more than $22 million to fight H.I.V. and AIDS in Rwanda by buying iPods, T-shirts, watches, cologne and most recently — as anyone who watched the Super Bowl knows — laptops, with all of them branded “(Product)RED.”
But some industry insiders are claiming the RED campaign has spent $100 million on advertising and has only raised $18 million for AIDS programs.
All told, Red’s contributions make up less than 2 percent of the Global Fund’s total. And the money from Red does not increase funding for the Global Fund programs it is directed to; instead, it allows the fund to shift money to other programs. Red’s contributions also do not necessarily go to the countries hardest hit by H.I.V. and AIDS; they go only to programs with proven success records. Just over a year ago, Bono started Red, a campaign that combined consumerism and altruism. Since then, consumers have generated more t... more -
London's O2 Arena may get U2 residency?
It just doesn't get much better than Bono and U2 and London's O2 Arena is about to test that theory! U2 are rumoured to be considering a record-setting residency at London’s O2 Arena in the fall, when their new Brian Eno-produced album is tentatively scheduled for release.
Prince currently owns the venue’s record for longest run of gigs with twenty-one nights in May 2007. The arena also recently housed the Led Zeppelin reunion concert, and U2, who are currently on the road promoting their new concert film U2 3D, have been rumored to play the venue for months.
When asked about the band’s intentions, U2’s manager Paul McGuinness said of the O2 Arena, “It’s got great potential for U2 and because it’s under cover you can do a run of shows in the autumn.”
London, get ready, it's going to be a bloody good time! It just doesn't get much better than Bono and U2 and London's O2 Arena is about to test that theory! U2 are rumoured to be considerin... more -
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2008
"A Unified Earth Theory: Combining Solutions to Extreme Poverty and the Climate Crisis Bono, Al Gore with Thomas L. Friedman"
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Gore, Bono press West on climate, global poverty from Davos
We are failing our children and this planet. What will it take to listen to these voices of reason? This should be the number one discussion on all media outlets and on the front page of all newspapers. And yet even when the eividence is set right in front of us, all we can do is look at it, say "oh my God how terrible," and move on. This is real and it is serious. We are running out of time to do the right thing. We are failing our children and this planet. What will it take to listen to these voices of reason? This should be the number one disc... more
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Bono Brent - YouTube unravels an Icon.
Oh Bono Oh Bono
{Oh no no Oh no no.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!}
Oh what gifts of wisdom you bestow upon us mere mortals.
How did this lowly planet ever rotate upon its axis, before you
graced its unworthy dirt with your saintly feet.
How tirelessly you toil you who are so gracious and gifted and favoured
above all by the Gods!!!!
Seven billion and score wait with pained hearts and baited breath for your
next sermon in song to show us the way to the promised land of Utopia.
Some say you have said that to show allegiance we must wear only the colour red!
Others say that a plastic bracelet will suffice .....
Oh Bono Oh Bono {Oh no no Oh no no.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!} Oh what gifts of wisdom you bestow upon us mere mortals. ... more -
U2 to construct the largest building in Ireland
with a pod shaped recording studio at the top no-less.
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BONO & THE SPICE GIRLS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE??
Bono goes from accepting the liberty medal to working with the spice girls....is this strangeley wierd to anybody??
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A Bono/Spice Girls Collaboration?
Wowsers. Seems like that could be awkward.
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Bono Wins Another Medal!
They call it the Liberty Medal, but who the hell knows what that is...
Anyway St. Bono is good for any award show so why not give give him an award!
Here's an article about the award:
http://tinyurl.com/27rc3e
Click on the picture of Bono to watch the pod he made for Current:
Witness Rock Star turned VC2 producer Bonos directorial debut in this first of 3 pods for Current! The subject? The Edge! Watch as Bono the alarm clock gets the Edge out of bed, put a camera in his face, and sees him begin his busy day. We also meet the Edges Blackberry, laptop, and get to see him do yoga. Hes quite flexible. They call it the Liberty Medal, but who the hell knows what that is... ... more -
Life with The Edge Pt. 3
A Bonos eye view of a behind the scenes look at The Edge getting ready for the big show. Secrets are revealed as The Edge navigates a hazardous backstage maze, tunes up, gets dressed, hits the stage and rocks his little heart out. Alls well that ends well. A Bonos eye view of a behind the scenes look at The Edge getting ready for the big show. Secrets are revealed as The Edge navigates ... more
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Life with The Edge Pt. 2
VC2 producer Bonos pods on The Edge continue to inform, confound and entice the non-believers. In this one, see The Edge stalked by Paparazzi. See The Edge turn the tables on them. See The Edge playing guitar in a lifeguard shack. All this crammed into one pod. Amazing. VC2 producer Bonos pods on The Edge continue to inform, confound and entice the non-believers. In this one, see The Edge stalked by ... more
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Life with The Edge Pt. 1
Witness Rock Star turned VC2 producer Bonos directorial debut in this first of 3 pods for Current! The subject? The Edge! Watch as Bono the alarm clock gets the Edge out of bed, put a camera in his face, and sees him begin his busy day. We also meet the Edges Blackberry, laptop, and get to see him do yoga. Hes quite flexible. Witness Rock Star turned VC2 producer Bonos directorial debut in this first of 3 pods for Current! The subject? The Edge! Watch as... more
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