And mega extra to cover my bumb :w00t: :w00t:

Edited January 6, 200817 yr by Queen Sheba

Think I´ll have to pay double :unsure:

http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/u...1m-1264997.html

 

 

U2 firm losses at €1m

 

Sunday January 13 2008

 

 

DE-LUX Merchandise, the rock music T-shirt company partially owned by U2, lost over €1m during 2006 as revenues slid sharply, according to new accounts.

 

 

The UK-based business had made a near €800,000 profit the previous year.

 

De-Lux had sales of €13m in 2006, compared with €24m a year earlier.

 

The company blamed its losses on increased investment in signing up new bands, as well as its existing roster of artists playing in smaller venues.

 

- Nick Webb

 

 

:blink:

http://www.irishabroad.com/news/irish-voic...Edge120108.aspx

 

He’s Got the Edge

January 14, 2008

 

By Debbie McGoldrick

 

 

 

SO who’s the most important member of U2 according to the ones who matter most – the group’s fans? It’s not Bono, which may or may not surprise, but rather the honor goes to lead guitarist Edge, whose mastery goes a long, long way towards providing that distinctive U2 sound.

 

According to a press release we received on Monday, a total of 4,159 fans from all parts of the planet took part in a survey conducted by the fan site @U2, which bills itself as the oldest independent U2 website. (It is, of course, separate and unaffiliated with the band’s official site at U2.com.)

 

U2 fans were asked if U2 should continue if one member left the band. The Edge was the pick as the most indispensable member of U2, with only 4.9% of fans saying U2 should continue if he were to quit. By comparison, 5.8% of U2 fans think U2 should go on if Bono were to leave the band.

 

The fans cited the U2 classic Achtung Baby as their favorite release, easily beating out The Joshua Tree.

 

“With more than 75 countries represented, and more than 4,100 fans voting, we feel the survey is statistically representative of U2’s online fans as a whole,” said @U2 founder and editor Matt McGee. “The survey gives a great overview of what U2’s fans think about things both serious and lighthearted. There’s some great information in here for both casual and serious U2 fans.”

 

Other stuff gleaned from the survey? Some 11% of fans said they weren’t in favor of Bono’s well-publicized political activism, or didn’t pay attention to it at all. And almost 32% of those polled said Bono did “too much preaching” during the band’s most recent “Vertigo” tour.

 

Said fans who don’t give a hoot about Bono’s work on behalf of the poor and diseased in Africa probably won’t be lining up to support his latest venture. Bono has designed a socially conscious t-shirt produced by his wife Ali’s socially conscious design company Edun, and profits will be donated to African cotton farmers and garment workers.

 

The shirt, which sells for $26 or $28, is available exclusively through the Hard Rock Café chain of restaurants, or through the website www.hardrock. com/rockshop, if you’re interested. The sale started on Monday.

 

 

 

 

Said fans who don’t give a hoot about Bono’s work on behalf of the poor and diseased in Africa probably won’t be lining up to support his latest venture.

 

:o

From - http://www.u2france.com/spip.php?article11694

 

Bono rocked as council stalls on revamp plans

Friday 18 January 2008, by Corinne/Dead

 

 

U2 frontman Bono got his new year off to a frustrating start after having to go back to the council to receive permission to carry out a raft of renovations to his multi- million euro Killiney estate.

 

He and his chart-topping band members may have ruled supreme in the charts over the past three decades, but when it comes to our complicated planning laws, it seems he has to face the same rigorous application process as everyone else.

 

The rock star has been trying for the last number of months to get the green light from Dun Laoghaire Rathdown to build a studio and a gardener’s shelter on the grounds of his expansive property off Vico Road.

 

But after reading through his initial plans, the council then requested additional information from the world-famous showman and he was forced to resubmit his application at the start of this month.

 

On January 4, 2008, he sent back the proposal to carry out his building plans and the council’s planning department now has four weeks from that date to decide whether to give him the green light.

 

Submitted in his real name of Paul Hewson, his plan also includes felling a number of trees and isn’t expected to meet with much opposition from his well-heeled neighbours.

 

However, Bono is just the latest member of U2 — who are worth an estimated ’681m — who have gone to the council to carry out changes to their dream pads.

 

The band’s dummer Larry Mullen hit the headlines over the weekend after it emerged that he’s trying to demolish a 1m house that he owns in the upmarket Bailey area of Howth in north county Dublin.

 

He’s hoping to knock down Ros Mora, a two-storey six bedroom house as it’s blocking the sea view from his adjacent home on Claremont Road.

 

Should he get the go-ahead, he plans to add a first-floor office and bedroom and build a large conservatory which will enjoy stunning views out to Ireland’s Eye.

 

Another member who loves changing around his palatial pad is fellow star Adam Clayton, who has carried out a raft of changes to his heritage home of Danesmoate Demesne on Kellystown Road.

 

 

(Jupsy says- I've been to both Killiney and Howth and had no idea Bono and Larry lived there. If only I'd known I could have suitably lurked outside with my camera Damn. :( )

 

 

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/mu...er-1268435.html

 

 

Cream of Irish music in tribute to Dubliner as he battles with cancer

 

 

'Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects' - Bono

 

By Richie Taylor

Friday January 18 2008

 

 

THE cream of Irish rock, pop and folk music have come together to record a tribute to legendary singer Ronnie Drew, who has been battling cancer for over a year.

 

 

U2, Andrea Corr, Christy Moore, Sinead O'Connor, Shane MacGowan and Ronan Keating are just a few of the big names on the brand new song, 'The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew'.

 

It was recorded in Windmill Lane Studios in Dublin over the last couple of days and Bono said he hopes the song will show Ronnie how much he is "loved and respected."

 

But Ronnie has yet to hear the number, as he is recuperating at home after his latest bout of treatment.

 

Members of U2 and Kila were among those who streamed into the studio over the two days of recording.

 

Other stars included Bob Geldof, Damien Dempsey, Gavin Friday, Jerry Fish, Paul Brady, Paddy Casey, Mick Pyro (of Republic of Loose), Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Eleanor Shanley and Mary Coughlan, as well as members of The Dubliners and The Chieftains.

 

Vocals

 

And Frames singer Glen Hansard recorded his vocals on a telephone line from the Czech Republic, where he now lives.

 

It was produced by Sinead O'Connor's former husband John Reynolds, and the session was filmed by John Carney, the director of the acclaimed Irish movie 'Once'.

 

The song is a collaboration, written by the Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter, with Bono, the Edge and the former Golden Horde singer and songwriter Simon Carmody.

 

Bono revealed: "Simon seemed to think that Robert Hunter was a big fan of Ronnie and suggested that we get Robert involved in writing the song. So we contacted him.

 

"But to be honest, I can't really remember how it all happened.

 

"There was some vino involved, it has to be said. But I remember myself and Simon were waxing lyrical about the great man.

 

"The idea was that we would all try to write a song for Ronnie to sing, but then it changed to writing a song about Ronnie himself."

 

Simon Carmody added: "Myself and Bono were out having a meal and a bottle of wine and just talking, and Bono suggested we do a song for Ronnie. Bono has a whim of iron. When he gets an idea, he delivers. It's been incredible, the way it's taken shape."

 

Hunter's lyrics provided the launching pad and the song was completed and demo-ed by members of U2, with Bono singing and Edge playing a tres, a Cuban instrument given to him as a Christmas present by his wife Morleigh, to achieve the appropriate folk flavour.

 

Ronnie is still battling with cancer, which was the inspiration for -- and inevitably gives added urgency to -- what is a history-making project.

 

"When you're fighting cancer your mood is critical. We want Ronnie to know how much he is really respected and loved," stated Bono.

 

"This is a big fight for him. But he will win it. But like any fighter, it's easier if there's a crowd cheering. Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects."

 

The chorus of the song goes 'Here's to you/Ronnie Drew/Here's to you/We love you/Yes we do.'

 

Ronnie spent all of last year undergoing treatment, with his beloved wife Deirdre then tragically succumbing to the same disease and passing away during that time.

 

'Hot Press' editor Niall Stokes, who was at the session, recalled: "As the night turned into morning on the second day of recording, producer John Reynolds laid down a couple of mixes for the remainder of the gathering to listen to. Bono, Andrea Corr, Moya Brennan and Simon Carmody then all suggested modifications and changes."

 

'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew' is now set to be released -- upon Ronnie's approval -- as a tribute to the legendary performer who first became famous with The Dubliners, and was the singer on their 1960s chart hit 'Seven Drunken Nights', among other classic recordings.

 

Stokes, who has now heard the finished version, added: "It is an astonishing record. The song is powerful and poetic, with a number of brilliantly crafted standout lines. But with Bono, Shane McGowan, Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey all taking verses, the performances are amazing. And Sinead, Andrea and Moya are wonderful on the chorus. It's a certain Number 1."

 

"It was a real privilege to be part of it," said Clannad singer Moya Brennan. "The atmosphere in the room was just amazing."

 

And Andrea Corr was equally enthusiastic. "I didn't want to go home. It is such an amazingly beautiful song and such a wonderful idea. It is the kind of occasion that you'll remember all your life. It was lovely to have been part of it."

 

The song was intended as a surprise for Ronnie. But, fearful that word of the recording session would slip out, his son Phelim let him know what was going on.

 

"I believe he's just finished his current course of treatment and is in great form. But he definitely hasn't heard the song yet," his agent Brian Hand said.

 

Some of the main people involved in the session planning to bring the finished version to Ronnie at his home in Greystones over the weekend.

 

- Richie Taylor

 

 

From - http://www.u2france.com/spip.php?article11694

 

 

(Jupsy says- I've been to both Killiney and Howth and had no idea Bono and Larry lived there. If only I'd known I could have suitably lurked outside with my camera Damn. :( )

 

 

 

Damn :cry:

I´ve never heard of ths Ronnie geezer :unsure:

Me neither but I didn't want to admit that :(

:lol: :lol:

Glad I´m not alone ^_^

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/playlist/view/2...-teener-bopper/

 

 

ROCK KING BONO’S A TEENER-BOPPER

19th January 2008 Your Shout

MANCHESTER upstarts The Courteeners, right, are hoping to work with U2 this year after Bono, 47, inset, revealed he was a huge fan.

 

Frontman Liam Fray, 22, told me: “We met him when we played the Little Noise Sessions gigs at the end of last year.

 

“He said he loved us and that we were the best band he’d heard in ten years. That was pretty cool.”

 

Liam, whose crew look odds on for a Top 20 hit tomorrow with new single What Took You So Long?, joked: “We think he’s going to support us on our next tour.”

 

Bono, it’s over to you...

 

 

and again :blink: :blink:

 

What Took You So Long? :blink: I know that song BY Emma "baby Spice" Bunton :unsure:

I suspect it's a totally different song, Jenni. :P

you reckon ? :P

Bloody well hope so or I'd seriously worry about Bono's taste/sanity. :blink: :lol:

:rofl:

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/ne...ay-1275120.html

 

 

Bono's Gloria days may be fading away

A rattling U2 frontman makes Pat Fitzpatrick feel older

 

By Pat Fitzpatrick

Sunday January 27 2008

 

 

WHO'S that old guy in the pink glasses? Hopes that Bono had magically defied the ageing process were crushed last week when he appeared at the premiere of U2's latest film looking like a cross between Hurricane Higgins, John Hurt and Eamon Dunphy without make-up.

 

 

This is a terrible blow for Ireland's manhood, because as much as we mock old man Hewson for acting like a teenager, we take comfort in his chutzpah for sticking it to Old Father Time. If Bono stays young, we all stay young.

 

Well, not any more. It seems that Bono has finally left Tir na nOg to join wrinkly rockers like Jagger, Dylan and Springsteen in the "embarrassing agile seniors on final world-tour" category, which will make for a lot of changes in U2's live shows. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For will take on a certain poignancy as groupies will be brought back stage to help Bono look for his glasses ("I'm sure I left them over there by the Edge's knowing grin"). Adam Clayton will become Larry What's His Name and vice versa when he is introducing the band. And pulling people out of the crowd for a dance will now be done by a roadie, while Bono rushes backstage cursing his bladder and leather jeans.

 

Forget about uplifting song titles such as Vertigo and Elevation, the next album will probably be called Can Someone Turn Down that Racket, featuring songs like The Unforgettable What d'ya Call it, I Will Follow (once I've fed the cat and listened to Liveline) and Sometime You Can't Make it on Your Own, That's Where Zimmer Frames Come In.

 

- Pat Fitzpatrick

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

:unsure:

 

:cry: :cry: :cry:

 

 

Well he doesn´t look THAT old for heaven´s sake.... :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry: