I read about four different reviews of the new U2 album, not one managing its analysis without mentioning Bono’s other role, you know the one as world statesman. This sums up the resentment among many towards the Irish rock group. It is impossible to separate the music from the front-man who gives the ‘v’ for victory symbol when being photographed with Nelson Mandela, or who greets the Labour Party Conference with the line ‘Yes, I am a rock star. You may kneel before me.’
There is though always another point of view. There was a revealing interview with the band in the NME a few weeks back when this very subject was broached. Life-long pal, The Edge, said he hated to see ‘the brick-bats that Bono received for his charity work’. He also said that he had tried to dissuade him in the past but had since realised that Bono was right all along because ‘what he does saves lives’.
What he does saves lives. This should be remembered, for just as we are blissfully unaware of what is going on in other parts of the world, so too are we oblivious to the good that eventually comes after he disappears from our screens. He may be an annoying Irish twat but what he does saves lives.
One supposes this should negate all other arguments. But if there is no such thing as a selfless act, then why exactly does he do it?
It might help to look at Bono 15 years ago. What people forget is that before he jumped on the Africa bandwagon (for that is exactly what he did) Bono was already a political spokesman, incessantly banging on about the troubles in Ireland. Music was never enough for Bono, and after a while, Ireland’s troubles weren’t enough either. Why stop at Ireland when the whole of the third world needs saving?
Yet incredibly this modern day saint has taken advantage of financial laws to avoid paying taxes in his homeland, as have his band. The man who demands that the G8 countries drop the debt have moved their tax affairs to the Netherlands since the law changes in Ireland, thus avoiding paying tax on Royalties. (See Irish Times link at foot of this page). I mean come on Bono; don’t you have enough fucking money? Your country needs it more than you.
Events like Live Aid and Live Earth, all these events are about ordinary people doing/giving a little to help a lot. Bono may preach but he doesn’t exactly practice it.
I am firmly of the opinion that Bono’s crusade is as much for himself as for those he helps. He is a diminutive man with an ego the size of Venezuela. It is easy for one as conceited as him to bend the ear of George Bush or Tony Blair, or to dine with Nelson Mandela, because that is exactly where (he feels he) he belongs.
Then again he undoubtedly does help people and no doubt irritates those who run the world with his blinkered views. I just wish he wasn’t such an arse about it all.
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0225/breaking60.html
Posted In Comment, Mar 12 2009.
Words - Mark