Bono

Paul David Hewson, famously known as Bono, was born on May 10, 1960, in Dublin, Ireland. He attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he began dating his future wife, Alison Stewart, and co-founded the band that would later become U2 in 1976.
Bono quickly emerged as the passionate frontman of U2, characterized by his expressive vocal style, powerful stage presence, and socially conscious songwriting. His lyrics often delve into themes of social justice, political activism, and religious imagery influenced by his Christian beliefs. While U2's early years were marked by rebellious and spiritual tones, their later works drew inspiration from personal experiences shared among the band members.


As a member of U2, Bono has received numerous accolades, including 22 Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Beyond music, he is renowned for his activism in fighting extreme poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa. Bono co-founded organizations like DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign, and Product Red, and has tirelessly campaigned for relief efforts, participated in benefit concerts, and lobbied political leaders.


Bono's philanthropic endeavors have earned him recognition, including being named one of the Time Persons of the Year in 2005 and receiving an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2007 for his humanitarian work. However, he has also faced criticism for his activist efforts, including accusations of bypassing African businesses and allegations of tax avoidance in his personal finances.


Outside of U2, Bono has collaborated with various artists and invested in business ventures, including the refurbishment of the Clarence Hotel in Dublin and serving as managing director of the private equity firm Elevation Partners, which invested in multiple companies. He has also worked with U2 bandmate the Edge on projects such as composing songs for other artists and contributing to musical soundtracks.

Paul David Hewson, known as Bono, was born on May 10, 1960, at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin, Ireland. He was the second child of Iris and Brendan Robert "Bob" Hewson, and he grew up in the Cedarwood Road area between the Northside suburbs of Finglas and Ballymun.


Bono's upbringing was in an interdenominational Christian household. His mother was a member of the Church of Ireland, while his father was Roman Catholic. Both parents agreed that the first child would be raised Anglican and the second Catholic, but Bono attended Church of Ireland services with his mother and brother, as well as Catholic Mass with his father.


He attended Glasnevin National School and later Mount Temple Comprehensive School, where he formed the band that would become U2. Bono's teenage years were influenced by musical icons like Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, David Bowie, and Marc Bolan.
Tragedy struck Bono's life when his mother passed away from a cerebral aneurysm in 1974. Her death profoundly affected him and inspired many U2 songs.


During his youth, Bono was part of a group called "Lypton Village," where he acquired various nicknames, eventually settling on "Bono," derived from the Latin phrase for "good voice." This nickname became his stage name and is how he's known to family, friends, and bandmates.
After leaving school, Bono had a year to support himself before he would have to leave home, according to his father's terms.


The band initially called themselves "Feedback" for a brief period before changing to "The Hype." After Dik Evans departed to join another local band, the Virgin Prunes, the remaining members officially renamed themselves "U2."


In the early days, Bono played guitar, sang, and wrote songs for the band. However, he admitted in a 1982 interview that he was not a proficient guitar player and eventually focused more on singing. He mentioned discovering his singing voice and transitioning from guitar to vocals, noting, "I was such a lousy guitar player that one day they broke it to me that maybe I should sing instead."


At Live Aid on July 13, 1985, U2 delivered a memorable performance at Wembley Stadium before a massive audience and a global television viewership of 1.5 billion people. During their rendition of "Bad," Bono descended from the stage to interact intimately with a female fan, showcasing his ability to connect personally with audiences. This spontaneous action extended the length of the song, leading them to omit "Pride (In the Name of Love)" from their setlist. Despite initially considering it a missed opportunity, their performance at Live Aid was widely acclaimed, with many journalists hailing it as one of the concert's highlights and a pivotal moment in rock history.

References

1.  Richardson, Elaina (February 2002). "Bono-Fire". Oprah.com. Retrieved 9 June 2023.
2. a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Assayas, Michka (2005). Bono on Bono: Conversations with Michka Assayas. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 978-0-340-83276-9.
3. ^ "Adam Clayton biography – U2 bassist". atU2.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 19 November 2010.; Moss, Vincent (24 December 2006). "The Unforgettable Sire". Sunday Mirror. Archived from the original on 4 February 2008. Retrieved 19 November 2010.; McIntosh, Elise (3 October 2006). "In Music and Love, U2 Has Staying Power". Staten Island Advance.
4. a b c d e f "Bono: Biography from @U2". atU2.com. Archived from the original on 18 July 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2010.
5. a b Stockman (2005)
6. a b c Bono. (February 2006). Remarks at the National Prayer Breakfast. Speech presented at Hilton Washington Hotel at Washington, DC
7. a b Booth, Cathy (23 June 1986). "Conspiracy of Hope Tour". Time. Vol. 127, no. 25.