Bono, 1979: “We don’t want to be a cult”

Just last week, we posted rare audio from one of U2′s 1979 performances at the Dandelion Marketing. This week, there’s more U2-at-Dandelion-Market stuff making the rounds, but it’s reading material this time.

The blog BrandNewRetro has posted four scans from a 1979 Dublin fanzine called Imprint, and the scans include an interview that Larry and Bono did immediately after their Sept. 9, 1979 show at the Dandelion Market. You won’t be surprised to learn that Bono did pretty much all of the talking:

“We want to sell records. We want to be big. Independent labels are all very well, but mostly they preach to the converted. We don’t want to be a cult.”

And that quote was before U2 had a sniff of a real record deal.

Coincidentally, it’s pretty much the same thing Bono has been saying lately about U2. Some things haven’t changed in the slightest, have they?

(PHOTO) Bono’s Letter to President Lula da Silva

Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva is recovering from cancer treatment at the moment, and Bono recently sent him a letter of support that Brazilian media have published. The article says that Bono sent the handwritten note via email on November 10th, which means the Hewson’s must have a scanner at home. One of the boys probably showed him how to use it, no?

If you can’t sort out yer man’s handwriting, I think it says:

With my entreaties let the prayers of children change the world. You already have! Your fan, Bono (Dublin, Nov. ’11)

Thx to Raul for the tip.

RARE AUDIO: U2 live at the Dandelion Market, 1979

Add this to your collection of rare, early U2 audio clips. This is U2 performing “Out Of Control” at the Dandelion Market in August 1979. The sound quality is pretty darn good for a recording that’s just surfaced now, some 32 years later.

The audio comes from Pete McCluskey, who was in the Irish Independent this weekend sharing a photo from backstage at a different gig when his band, The Strougers, opened for U2.

By the way, this Dandelion gig is one of those where the date isn’t certain. On Pete’s video, he lists it as August 11, 1979. But when I interviewed Chas de Whaley a couple years ago for U2-A Diary, de Whalley was certain that the gig happened on August 4th, because he was in town that weekend to record the songs that later showed up on the U2-3 EP.

But nevermind the exact date uncertainty — it’s a really unique piece of audio from way back when.

UPDATE: We now have confirmation that the gig did happen on August 11th, and the Howth performance was on August 10th, instead. We’ll update U2tours.com to reflect that.

Also very interesting: Edge did not play the gig on August 11th because he was sick. The audio you hear above is U2 playing with a guitarist named Joe Savino, who filled in for Edge. Savino was part of a group called The Brown Thomas Band.

UPDATE #2: As Pete clarifies down below in the comments, that is The Edge you hear playing guitar on this song from August 11th. Instead, it was the July 28, 1979 Dandelion Market gig that Edge missed. Thx Pete!

Holiday Cards From Elsha’s Heart

One of the wonderful things about being a U2 fan is actually meeting and getting to know fellow fans. U2 is one of the most socially conscious bands in the world, but what is remarkable to me is the fact that so many of their fans are as well.
No one is a better example of this than an amazing young woman named Elsha Stockseth who is lovingly called “the biggest little U2 fan in the world.” I am quite sure many of you fans know and have been inspired by Elsha already. I know I have. Perhaps you were even lucky enough to meet her on the 360 Tour this year.

For those who may not know, Elsha has a form of Muscular Dystrophy. When she was born, her parents were told that she would probably not be able to do anything. Though unable to walk, Elsha has proved those doctors wrong. She graduated high school with a 4.0 GPA and is a talented and award winning artist. She devotes her time to many important causes including ONE’s campaign to make poverty history and the African Well Fund which helps bring clean water to those who so desperately need it.

U2 is near and dear to Elsha’s heart. In fact, she has met the the band on a number of occasions.  I do believe she holds a special place in their hearts as well.

Since 2006, Elsha has used her talent to design holiday cards which she sells and gives part of the proceeds to the African Well Fund.  She recently  revealed her new card design for 2011.  She has now decided to call them “hEArt” cards (art with a heart)  as some of them can be used for any occasion. You will notice a certain U2 reference here and there too! Purchasing the cards are a wonderful way of giving back to those in need this holiday season or any time of the year.

Here is more information on the card designs and how to order, her favorite charitable organizations , and the story of her remarkable life.

I wish you love and peace (or else!) this holiday season.  May all your dreams be realized in 2012.

Autographed Uber Achtung Baby Box Up For Auction

The Rainforest Foundation UK’s 12 Days Of Christmas auction features the 20th Anniversary Achtung Baby Uber box, signed by all four members of U2. The box set joins 200 other auction items. The auction begins on November 15 and ends on November 27 via Ebay.

The Rainforest Foundation was founded by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1989, and over the years has worked in more than 20 countries to support “indigenous peoples and traditional populations of the world’s rainforest to protect their rainforest homes and fulfill their rights to land, life and livelihood.”

The U2 Paradox

“Never has a band been more mockable, never has a band been more successful…” In a recent Slate article, Eric Hynes presents a comprehensive argument as to the lasting impact of their music.

In the era of 99 cent downloads, U2 continues to conceive of albums as long-form journeys, with individual songs—like chapters in a novel, scenes in a film, or members of a band—contributing to a greater whole. They’ve always thrived on both consistency and change, applying a surprisingly strict formula to their albums while challenging one another to evolve, adapt, and reinvent their sound. And rather than choose between art and commerce, they’ve almost naively struck a course between the two. Especially today, with music acts either serving the marketplace or accepting their niche, U2 has no peer. I listened to every album, B-side, and soundtrack song, watched every music video, movie, live clip, and costume change. If you’re a fan, let’s compare notes. It you’re not, I’ll tell you what you’ve missed.