10 Bizarre Facts About U2’s Bono
Paul Hewson, more commonly known as Bono, recently celebrated his 60th birthday. The Irish singer-songwriter is, as everyone must be aware, the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the Rock band U2. Let it be known that the band is still quite active in the music scene. In fact, just a month back, Bono performed a new song, ‘Let Your Love Be Known’ via livestream to fans affected by the coronavirus pandemic. But his life doesn’t just revolve around music, we’re not giving away too much. So, read on to get to know him just a tad bit more intimately.
1. Not many know that before his passion for music spilled forth, Bono was a gifted chess player. In fact, at the tender age of 12, he was already representing his country at international matches.
Photo Credit: Jason Kempin
2. U2 truly started from the bottom and boy, what a treat it is to see how far they’ve come. In fact, when they released their debut album, ‘Boy’ in 1980, the four members were sharing a mere two-room flat in London. Now, they each own houses that cost millions.
Photo Credit: Gennady avramenko/Epsilon
3. Bono is a handsome fellow, noone can deny that. And so, when he was gearing up to receive Glamour’s ‘Man of the Year’ award in 2016, he asked his wife what his acceptance speech should include. “Don’t look down at me but don’t look up at me either. Look across to me. I’m here,” is what his wife said. Something she’s been repeating to him since they were teenagers.
Photo Credit: Stefanie Keenan
4. The sunglasses aren’t simply a style statement. Bono wears it mainly because he’s sensitive to light. He explained this issue in one, slightly disturbing sentence: “If somebody takes my photograph, I will see the flash for the rest of the day.” Oof, sounds painful, but hey, atleast he’s found a cool way to get around this issue.
Photo Credit: Patrick Ford/Redferns
5. Here’s something ya’ll definitely did not see coming. U2 has dabbled with soundtracks for theatre productions. In fact, they worked on some tunes for ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, which ran on Broadway. And no, it’s not about the superhero. It’s actually an adaptation of the dystopian novel ‘A Clockwork Orange’.
Photo Credit: Eugene Gologursky
6. Bono chooses well. He’s actually quite close to the former President, Barack Obama. But once Donald Trump was elected, he quickly realized that he had no intention of working with him for anything.
Photo Credit: Dennis Brack-Pool
7. Bono just turned 60. Doesn’t look it, does he? Strangely enough, back in 2005, he had this to say about his future: “At sixty I’m going to be much better looking than I am now. I’m sure of that. I don’t hope I die before I get old.” Well, he truly did age like fine wine.Â
Photo Credit:Â Ian Gavan
8. Remember how we said that once U2 gained fame, each band member bought a house that cost millions. Well, when Bono and his wife were looking for a place in New York. They found a lovely spot and paid a mighty $15 million. But that’s not the jaw dropping fact. Who did they buy that property from? None other than Steve Jobs.
Photo Credit: KMazur
9. Speaking of his wife, Bono and her have quite the love story. In fact, much like a movie, they met in school, at the Mount Temple Comprehensive School. And bam. Love blossomed. Turns out that he also met his bandmates at the same school. There’s only one word for these sort of occurrences: fate.
Photo Credit: ShowBizIreland
10. And finally, the cherry on the cake. When Bono was asked by Harvard to address their graduating class in 2001, here’s what he said: “My name is Bono and I’m a rockstar. In my view, the only thing worse than a rock star is a rock star with a conscience.” Oof.
Photo Credit: Paul Bergen
