Is Bono so connected that he’s the go-to guy when someone famous dies? Is he likely to show up at the funerals of famous people the world over … like this photo of him and Ali at Luciano Pavarotti’s funeral?
Over on the Boundless Line blog, Steve Watters says Bono is the Forrest Gump of Eulogies, and lays out a list of old news stories where Bono was one of the main quotees when Big Names pass on.
When you think about it … he’s got a point. 
Last 4 posts by Matt McGee
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Is that Benazir Bhutto in the row behind him? Cue the Twilight Zone music…
I think it’s mainly that the press knows Bono will say something fantastic. The press loves a good sound bite or a good line and they know that Bono will deliver the goods as well as get a lot more recognition for the story. I think that’s why he shows up in so many documentaries as well. Face it, a quote from Bono or an apperance increases the potential audience almost exponetially. I’ve notices over the past several years that publicity hounds will go to almost any lenths to make a Bono reference because it guarantees a much wider press coverage for whatever they are shilling. Be it positive or negative the mere mention of Bono’s name is publicity gold.
There are several reasons why Bono may get an mention, and they’re often very different reasons.
He gets a mention when Helms dies, because he convinced Helms to back fighting AIDS in africa. It was a complete 180 for Helms.
The Pope, because, among other things, you don’t generally associate Rock/Pop stars with the Pope.
The rest are largely because he was friends with those that died. As I recall, Orbison died not long after Mystery Girl (nevermind that U2 as at the absolute pinnacle of their popularity.
And, of course, as was already mentioned, he’s very quotable.
that old duck behind him doesn’t look very impressed
The old lady behind them are just hardly not blind because of Ali’s half-nakid look at the funeral.Shameless!