(Not another) Bono story!
For the past three days, I’ve been at a business conference for my day job. Speaking, schmoozing, yawning, etc. It’s an exhausting ritual.
But something I like about artificial gatherings such as this, are the ‘networking cocktail parties’ where everyone sort of lets their guard down (after a few drinks, at least) and talks about things other than work.
When it’s my turn, the topic almost always shifts to film (because of my screenwriting and/or my podcast) and of course, U2.
And (I do mean) every time, a random person (usually a casual U2 fan, or even a non-fan) has a story about how they/their spouse/their sibling/their 5th grade math teacher met Bono and had a meaningful encounter with him.
Last night it was a sweet woman from another Seattle school whose path I had crossed several months ago at an event, and she recalled the last time U2 played Seattle (April, 2005). It seems her friends were out and about on that bright, sunny day (I remember it well) and they stumbled upon B-man, who was gracious and kind and chatty and all the things you want your rock star heroes to be. And then they all went on with their day.
I wasn’t surprised, nor was I unhappy that she was sharing a lovely memory about my favorite band with me. But I was envious. Okay…maybe even a little jealous.
And I wonder aloud: why is it that someone like me, who has lived and breathed this band in some capacity for more than half my life, has never bumped into any of the four of them, yet has heard from dozens of fans who may or may not care much about U2, yet have experienced an impromptu Bono meet-and-greet? I’m not implying that people like me are entitled to anything extra, or deserve a special ‘moment’ for our loyalty (after all, their concerts have delivered some of the greatest ‘moments’ of my life). I just find it statistically very odd.
Any of my fellow die-hards out there have similar experiences?
Last 4 posts by Tassoula
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My older brother had a close encounter with the entire band back in ‘89.
U2 were in my city for the Lovetown tour and my brother and his mates (all about 18 yrs old) hadn’t been able to get tickets so they were hanging out behind the venue having a few drinks and listening to the show. When the show ended they were all still there when the boys came out and apparently Bono spotted them and turned to Larry and said “they’re alright, remember when we used to do the same fookin’ thing”.
He only got around to telling me this last year.
You are not alone in this feeling. I’m 37 and have been a fan since 13 or so and wanting to thank the band personally for saving my life with their music. …and then sometime after the Elevation tour ended… a friend called up and said “you will never believe who I just met!”
Sure I will.
Yes, she just happened to be working in the restaurant in San Francisco where Bono was having a private meeting… all the employees were told to keep it low-key and not freak out… but of course, Bono noticed her notice him and on his way out at the end of the night, went out of his way to say hello to her and thank her for … she didn’t really know. But was of course suitably impressed that he made the effort since she was forbidden for fear of losing her job.
The most memorable thing for her was not his stature, but his ‘workman-like’ hands when they shook.
My sister recently was having lunch in NYC and who happens to walk in? None other than Bono and Bill and Melinda Gates. She called me up and after getting verification from my other sister that she was indeed in New York for a vacation, proceeded to plead for her to at least take a secret snapshot from her cell phone. She refused.
Oh well, I’m convinced I’ll meet at least one of them in my lifetime…it’s just a matter of when
Wont get into details now.. mayb one day i will post the full details, but an acquantance of mine worked in a pub in Dublin, where Bono/Edge regularly came in, and one night after the place ‘officially’ closed up, Bono invited all his entourage and the staff to go back to his place to continue the party.
So yes.. he was in Bono’s house, drinking his booze, etc.
…where were the cellphones? Next time ask them to um.. CALL you. lol
Im just wondering what u2 thinks about the loss of
one of the greatest entertainers/dancers/singers eVER?
Michael Jackson died today around 214pm…………
I havent heard anything from the u2 end.. but everyone else on
earth is talking…….. Id really like to know.
selina
I have been a U2 diehard since the eighties but my best Bono moment came in November of 2003. Bono’s artwork for Peter and the Wolf was being auctioned of at Christie’s Auction house in NYC. My friend Jim and I went to the gallery at lunch camera in hand to see the art. On our way out of the gallery who do we spot coming in but Bono, Ali, Gavin Friday and Guggi. My friend turned to me and asked how I knew they would be there. Just lucky I guess! There were not alot of people around. The security guard at Christie’s even gave me a pen for an autograph. Bono and Gavin autographed a Peter and the Wold T-Shirt for me and Bono took a photo with me. These things are the crown jewels of my U2 collection. I was walking on a cloud for days.
I also had a similar moment with the elusive Larry Mullen but that is another topic.
Kathy
Its because you dont need it right now.
It happens, but its just not the right time. trust me on this, after 25 + yrs, It happened to me and it was completely and utterly random (was on vacation and decided to walk down one street instead of another and met them all) and it was great.
It seems that for those of us that are uber diehards, sometimes because we respect the band so much and do not go to their hotel/house/etc it becomes a little harder, but it will happen. You have to believe that.
And when it does, it will be because it was the right time for you to meet them.
True story:
My friend’s grandma (at the time a travel agent who jetted around the globe doing whatever it is travel agents do when they jet around the globe) is sitting at the Charles de Gaulle airport in France. Waiting for her plane, she sits next to “a nice-looking man” who introduced himself as Bono (“What an odd name,” she later remarks). She has never heard of U2 and has no idea who Bono is. At some point, he mentions he’s a musician, and she makes some comment about how it can be hard to make it in the music world. They talk for a while until Bono leaves to board his plane. Upon saying goodbye, my friend’s grandma wishes him “good luck with that music thing.”
Facepalm.
A friend of mine who is a big Democrat was invited to the concert in honor of Ted Kennedy at the 2004 convention in Boston. They were invited back stage to meet the artists. “I met the one with the sunglasses, how do you say his name?” she asked me, as I am nearly shrieking. “Oh, I thought it was like Sonny Bono.” Meant absolutely nothing to her.
I sometimes have felt the same way. I am 36, been a fan for 22 years and have never met any of them. I am not the type to freak out and get over-excited, but I would like to shake their hands one time. I did wait for them to arrive outside of the DC show on the vertigo tour at the entrance of MCI and that happened to be a concert that they arrived really late and I had to leave because I was in the GA line. Never had any other opportunity.
You will meet them some day…keep the faith. When you do it will be the most amazing thing to happen to you. They are the biggest band ever. they have traveled every where, know many many people….. and they stop, they take their time, their personal time….they look you right in the eyes, and ask you…”So, what would you like for your birthday? ” Are you going to the show?” “How long have you been waiting?”
I meet Adam, Larry and Bono…Bono and I share the same Birthday…They did all the talking…I COULD NOT SPEEK!!!! I was so over come by the whole thing I could not even tell them my name.. thank God a sensiable person was with me and got their autograph, told them my name, and I think Bono got a kick out of me because he ended up kissing me and giving me the biggest hug….Still brings tears to my eyes!!!
So good luck on your adventures and don’t give up
Michele with one L
I feel you. Two stories. Popmart, Detroit, 1997. I was hanging out with some friends of a friend afterward and they weren’t that cool and I was kinda shy and drove home. After all, I knew they were in their backdoor limo phase. Turns out everyone but me decided to wait around, and not only did they meet Bono, but he invited them to be extras in the If God Will Send His Angels video shoot in Detroit the next night. I heard about this a couple days later. Pain.
My wife and I went to Dublin for our honeymoon and staked out Hanover Quay in 2003. No action. We went back to the hotel and turned on the TV and saw Larry at a football match. So it was clear the band was on break. Flash forward 10 hours later and we’re in the Clarence Bar and… Larry is there. So that was cool. But he’s also the one guy you never want to approach even though I would only do it on his way out.
It’s all kind of sad because I really want to meet Bono, but the dozens of dreams I’ve had about the encounter have all resulted in me looking like an ass so maybe it’s a better thing.