“What are your thoughts on The Edge?”
New: photos up on Flickr…better photos to come from some fans who were a little more steady on the focus than we were, but enjoy anyway!
Waiting at the backdoor entrance to the American Airlines Arena in Miami was not your typical “waiting for the band for autographs” kind of experience today. We were tipped off by a nice member of local security that “something big was going to happen.” We had no idea how big it would be.
Next we saw a member of U2’s staff come out with a camcorder, taking her position at the entrance of the driveway to the backdoor entrance. Next thing we hear is that “The Edge is coming” from someone in line waiting with us, and within no time, the entire band drives by us with Edge standing in the car outside of the passenger window greeting everyone - sort of like a beauty queen would in a parade or something. We look down and there’s Bono in the backseat (odd for him) with his window rolled down with a handicam himself, recording the crowd as the vehicle drives by.
They both step out and greet the fans. Next can only be best described as surreal.
The group of fans they first met up with came all the way from South America for the shows, and they all start singing to Bono and Edge “Where the Streets Have No Name.” Bono, still with handicam in hand, starts interviewing the fans about The Edge. Edge starts walking the line, shaking hands with fans - saying “no autographs today, just handshakes” and he’s all grins - ear to ear grinning.
Before coming too far down the line, he grabs a bullhorn (convenient that he traveled with one) and starts getting the crowd to sing “Where The Streets Have No Name” and then asks people to start chanting “Bono - Bono - Bono”. We are laughing so hard at this point becuase it’s just the most surreal thing we’ve experienced in quite some time.
Bono stops every so often and asks people what their thoughts are about The Edge. I somehow found the nerve to blurt out “Edge needs to get rid of the hat,” to which Bono stopped in front of me and asks me to continue on this topic of why he needs to drop the hat. I say “Because God only made a few perfect heads, the rest He put hair on,” to which Bono replied that he has video footage on the camcorder of Edge without his hat because he snuck into Edge’s bedroom while he was sleeping this morning and captured him without the hat.
Bono spent about 15 minutes stopping and chatting with fans along the way, only to be driven back by a golf cart. He posed for photos with the police escorts who brought them to the arena and then headed in.
U2 management will not say what this will be used for, but we were told “it’ll be a good surprise when you see it.” So, if the band’s in THIS type of mood BEFORE the show, we can only anticipate what the concert will be like!
To check out the photos from the close encounter of the Bono kind, check out the @U2 flickr files.
m2 said,
November 14, 2005 @ 3:11 pm
My guess? It’ll be for a video segment available only to paid U2.com members.
Tassoula said,
November 14, 2005 @ 3:13 pm
I can’t wait to see where this footage ends up!
How exciting for everyone there - thanks so much for sharing the great photos and story.
Kelly said,
November 14, 2005 @ 3:19 pm
Duuuuuuude!
Way to have some good comments on the tip of your tongue. Grace under pressure, right there.
melibel said,
November 14, 2005 @ 4:02 pm
I am soo glad to know some people are able to be graced by their presence in “the flesh” - I myself have never been close enuf to experience, but I live through her…and that’s enuf for now.
JennJam said,
November 14, 2005 @ 4:05 pm
Nice!!!
I was trying to think, “What if I was there? What would I have said? First thing that comes to mind!”
The first thing that popped into my head to say would have been, “I hear he’s from the future?!” But that’s just because I wouldn’t have had the nerve to say anything about the hat . . . so great! Very original.
Wherever these clips end up, I’m sure you’ll be on there!!
c said,
November 14, 2005 @ 9:46 pm
bono tellin’ another tall tale - there is no way edge sleeps with his hat off
dreamoutloud said,
November 15, 2005 @ 6:20 am
There have been rumors that U2 is going to release a big box DVD set right around Christmas time. It seem that this footage would be cutting it pretty close, but who knows. Either that or they might release one of the European Vertigo shows, which this could be part of a documentary on. A day in the life of each band member…
hibricc said,
November 15, 2005 @ 8:47 am
What a hoot! Good to see U2 planning ahead and shooting this footage in HD (that’s an HDV camcorder Bono’s toting)….
JennJam said,
November 15, 2005 @ 12:58 pm
ooh, ooh, I KNOW!
I just thought of a follow-up quip to Sherry’s witty comment about Edge’s hat removal.
Someone could’ve asked to see Edge’s “I (heart) Erkel” tattoo!
hee hee!!
Evy said,
November 16, 2005 @ 3:49 pm
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer person. Congrats Sherry. Remember you always have to think ahead about what you would say if given the chance. In afterthought I have come up with so many more interesting things then I actually said.
Evy(the crazy sign lady)
Melissa said,
November 16, 2005 @ 7:10 pm
Wicked cool story!
I probably would’ve made some dumb comment about Edge being from the future and queried at what his species looked like and whether it was original or not. (I’m get mad silly with U2 puns. It scares me sometimes.) lol
Mystery Girl said,
November 27, 2005 @ 11:34 am
Well, get this…Bono stopped and pointed that camcorder at me. I’m standing there with MY camcorder in its case hanging over my shoulder, and I didn’t even one time thjink to get it out and USE IT…and here’s Bono videotaping ME??? I couldn’t even think of anything tosay besides “Nashville, Tennessee loves U2! Come to Nashville!” Duuuuhhhh, typical dorky fan comment! Why is it that whenever Bono’s around, I get stupid?? LOL!
tato said,
January 26, 2006 @ 7:01 am
I was there Bono Interviewed me, I said that I was from Bogota Colombia and came all the way to see them, and said that edge´s gitar makes me feel like there´s not going to be another bad day in my life…….. I wish I knew where this footage is. Is it for paid u2.com members? does anybody know?