Bono of the rock band U2 performing on September 10, 2011

Bono of the rock band U2 performing on September 10, 2011, by Peter Neill –Wikimedia Commons

Top 10 Unbelievable Facts about Bono


 

Bono, by name of Paul David Hewson, was born on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland. He went on to become an Irish singer-songwriter, activist, and philanthropist. He is the lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2. 

Bono formed U2 in 1976 together with his schoolmates. He soon established himself as a passionate frontman for the band through his expressive vocal style and grandiose gestures and songwriting. His lyrics frequently include social and political themes and religious imagery inspired by his Christian beliefs.

During U2’s early years, Bono’s lyrics contributed to the group’s rebellious and spiritual tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with the other members. Let’s dig into the top 10 unbelievable facts about Bono.

1. Bono got his nickname from a hearing-aid store

During his childhood and adolescence, Bono and his friends were part of a surrealist street gang called Lypton Village. The gang had a ritual of nickname-giving. Bono had several names: first, he was Huysman, followed by Houseman, Bon Murray, Bono Vox of O’Connell Street, and finally just Bono. His buddies started calling him Bono Vox after the neighborhood hearing-aid store Bonavox

He initially disliked the name; however, when he learned it translated to “good voice”, he accepted it. Hewson has been known as “Bono” since the late 1970s. He uses Bono as his stage name; close family, friends, and fellow band members also refer to him as Bono.

2. Bono’s band U2 was formed after an advertisement on a bulletin board

Bono

Bono by Ulrica Törning from Stockholm, Sweden – Wikimedia Commons

On 25 September 1976, Bono, David Evans, his brother Dik Evans, and Adam Clayton responded to an advertisement on a bulletin board at Mount Temple posted by fellow student Larry Mullen Jr. seeking people interested in forming a rock band. 

The band had occasional jam sessions in which they did covers of other bands. Tired of long guitar solos and hard rock, Bono wanted to play The Rolling Stones and Beach Boys songs. The band could not play covers very well, so they started writing their own songs.

3. Bono writes the lyrics for almost all U2 songs

Most of Bono’s lyrics often have social and political themes. His lyrics frequently allude to a religious connection or meaning, evident in songs such as “Gloria” from the band’s album October and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” from The Joshua Tree.

During the band’s early years, Bono was known for his rebellious tone which turned to political anger and rage during the band’s War, The Joshua Tree, and Rattle and Hum eras. The singer had been advised to cut his on-stage outburst from the Rattle and Hum film, but it was left in.

4. Bono has often allowed fans to come on stage and perform songs with the band

Bono and fans

Bono and fans by no and fans by Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 – Wikimedia Commons

During performances, Bono attempts to interact with the crowd as often as possible. He is known for pulling audience members onto the stage or moving down to the physical level of the audience.

At the Live Aid concert in 1985, Bono leaped off the stage and pulled a woman from the crowd to dance with her as the band played Bad. In 2005, during U2’s Vertigo Tour stop in Chicago, he pulled a boy onto the stage during the song “An Cat Dubh / Into the Heart”

5. Bono is not a fan of the band name U2

Bono’s band went by the name Feedback for a few months, before changing to The Hype later on. After Dik Evans left the group to join another local band, the Virgin Prunes, the remaining four officially changed the name from The Hype to U2. 

Bono once admitted to Larry King, “I don’t like the name, U2, actually.” The name U2 was suggested by Steve Averill, who designs the group’s album sleeves. Despite Bono’s dislike for the name, U2 has carved out a pretty nice career over the past 30-plus years.

6. Bono lobbied President Bush to provide financial assistance to developing countries

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Bono

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Bono by The White House photo – Wikimedia Commons

Since 1999, Bono has become increasingly involved in raising awareness of the plight of Africa and campaigning on its behalf. He has met with several influential politicians, including former U.S. President George W. Bush and former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

During a March 2002 visit to the White House, Bono lobbied President Bush to provide financial assistance to developing countries. The following year, Bush signed legislation authorizing the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program. The program has been credited with saving 17 million lives over its lifetime. 

7. Bono was a co-founder of the EDUN fashion label 

In 2005, Bono, Ali Hewson, and designer Rogan Gregory co-founded the EDUN fashion label. This was nude spelled backward, to suggest both nature and the Garden of Eden. It was intended to help bring about positive change in Africa through a fair trade-based relationship rather than by direct aid.

The collection includes a range of ready-to-wear, handbags, and accessories. It ​​debuted during NY Fashion Week, in September 2013. In May 2009 the couple sold 49% of the company to LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton. The large luxury conglomerate, helped the company recruit new management.

8. Bono has won numerous awards with U2, including 22 Grammy Awards

Bono

Bono by Antonio Cruz/ABr – Wikimedia Commons

The Grammy Award is an award presented by the Recording Academy to recognize Outstanding Achievement in the music industry of the United States. The trophy depicts a gilded gramophone. 

In addition to U2′s multiple Grammy nominations and wins, Bono has been nominated for an Oscar, a Golden Globe, and a Nobel Peace Prize. All these are due to his outstanding career. On 11 December 2008, Bono received the annual Man of Peace prize, which is awarded by several Nobel Peace Prize laureates in Paris, France.

9. Bono bought an apartment building from Steve Jobs 

In the early 1990s, Bono bought a top-floor duplex apartment in Manhattan’s San Remo apartment building from Steve Jobs for $15 million. Jobs had renovated it for his own use but never moved in.

Steve Jobs was an American business magnate, industrial designer, media proprietor, and investor. He was famously known for being the co-founder, chairman, and CEO of Apple. Apple Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in consumer electronics, software, and online services.

10. Bono is almost never seen in public without sunglasses

Bono

Bono by World Economic Forum – Wikimedia Commons

Bono suffers from glaucoma. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that result in damage to the optic nerve or retina and cause vision loss. 

During a Rolling Stone interview, he stated, ‘’I have very sensitive eyes to light. If somebody takes my photograph, I will see the flash for the rest of the day. My right eye swells up. I have a blockage there so that my eyes go red a lot. So it’s part vanity, it’s part privacy, and part sensitivity.

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