Mark Zuckerberg may have a lot of friends – U2′s Bono being one of them and his stake in the Facebook stock will soon make him the richest rockstar on the planet.
The Dublin band’s frontman might not have a crucial role in the founding role of Facebook, though Zuckerberg may “like” U2, but his private equity firm Elevation Partners owns 1.5 per cent of the shares.
That means he invested about $90 million in 2009 – but, when the social networking site goes public later this year, Bono’s share will be worth about $1 billion. If you think about it, that’s some $300 million more than the current richest rock star, Sir Paul McCartney
For those of you that might think that amount of cheddar is redonkulous – remember how much of Bono’s finances goes to his many charity projects, mostly focused on humanitarian aid in Africa.
U2 is set to perform on the ‘American Idol’ season 10 finale this Wednesday, reports Billboard.
While backstage at the Billboard Music Awards, the band’s longtime manager, Paul McGuinness, revealed that the group would be rehearsing for the ‘Idol’ finale on Monday before performing on the show two days later.
In between the rehearsal and performance, U2 will perform at Salt Lake City’s Rice-Eccles Stadium on Tuesday. Talk about a busy schedule!
The four members of U2 also took the stage yesterday at the Billboard Music Awards to accept the Top Touring Artist Award for its record-breaking 360° tour. U2 guitarist the Edge admitted that it was an honor receiving the award.
“It’s always a thrill to win an award, but something about this really connected when I realized that more people had come to this tour any previous tour. Seven million people — I still can’t quite get my head around that figure. It’s so astonishing, and just feels really good.”
U2′s ‘Idol’ performance will be part of the episode that reveals whether Scotty McCreery or Lauren Alaina is the season 10 champ. It’s going to be an exciting episode, so be sure to tune in to see which country star will win the title.
U2′s Bono is doing excellent after receiving emergency spinal surgery this morning.
PerezHilton reports that the singer was released this morning from a Munich hospital. His doctor, Dr. Jeorg Tonn explained, “The surgery was the only course of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better, with complete recovery of his motor deficit. The prognosis is excellent, but to obtain a sustainable result, he must now enter a period of rehabilitation.”
For the time being, all upcoming U2 dates have been postponed while Bono recovers.
U2′s Bono is currently recovering from an emergency spinal surgery following an injury he suffered while preparing for U2’s upcoming 360-Degree tour, which was schedule to launch on June 3rd.
E! Online is reporting that the 50-year-old musician was originally supposed to meet up with his fellow band members in Salt Lake City for rehearsals on Tuesday, but because of the injury that likely won’t be possible.
“He was admitted to a specialist neuro surgery unit in a Munich hospital,” a statement posted on U2.com says, “…Bono will spend the next few days there, before returning home to recuperate.”
Although not directly said in the statement, it is unlikely that the 360-Degree tour will go on as planned.
“It’s unfortunate that we’re inconveniencing fans,” said Paul McGuinnes, U2’s band manager, “and we will make plans to reinstate these dates as soon as possible.”
More info on Bono’s condition and what will become of the tour will be released in a statement on U2’s website when it is available.
Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones used the Grammys to recruit more stars to their project of remaking “We are the World,” reports E! News. Bono and Lady Gaga are the latest to sign on. They will join Usher, Jason Mraz, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton at the recording Monday in Los Angeles. There may be up to 100 singers.
“Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit For Earthquake Relief” has announced a stellar series of concerts with all proceeds going to Haitian relief.
A superstar lineup of Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting will Appear in New York City.
Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, ?Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Kid Rock, and Sheryl Crow will take to the stage in Los Angeles.
And finally, Coldplay, Bono, The Edge, Jay-Z, and Rihanna will perform in London.
More than one hundred of the biggest names in film, television, and music will appear on “Hope for Haiti Now,” including Wyclef Jean, George Clooney, and CNN’s Anderson Cooper.
George Clooney’s “Hope for Haiti” benefit will feature performances by Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera, Bono, Sting and Alicia Keys, reports CBC. Clooney said he expects more than 40 celebrities to come out to the New York event on Jan. 22 to show their support for the victims of a recent earthquake in Haiti.
He said the goal of the fundraiser is “to show the people of Haiti that the whole world is paying attention.”
Clooney and Haitian-born singer Wyclef Jean will host the event, which will be broadcast on over a dozen television channels and will feature CNN’s Anderson Cooper live from the disaster-stricken country.
Sean “P. Diddy’”Combs finally found a noble excuse to get rid of $3 million that he had lying around.
The rap mogul celebrated his 40th birthday in New York alongside a diverse guest list that included Bono, Kim Kardashian, Jimmy Fallon, Nelly and even Martha Stewart. The celebrity crew represented Combs’ widespread contribution to the entertainment industry.
Apparently the money was well worth it. His Twitter this morning read: “I haven’t had a hangover in five years but I have one now.”
While Irish rock band U2 is still in the middle of their North American 360 stadium tour, they are already planning to come back next summer, according to CHARTattack.
The band’s website has yet to release any dates, but a USA Today article says the band will begin their second leg of a North American tour in Mexico City, Mexico on May 30, 2010. The tour is then expected to continue through June and July, hitting cities not visited this year.
U2 already hit Toronto and Vancouver on their current tour. Each show is estimated to rake in about $750,000 U.S., so it is not difficult to see why the band wants to continue their jaunt. More Canadian dates could be added on the second leg, with such possibilities as Edmonton, Calgary, and Winnipeg.
The tour, which is in support of the band’s latest album, No Line On The Horizon, is confirmed to hit Europe beginning in August and run until early October. The opening date for that leg of the tour is at Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany on Aug. 10.
This Week On Entourage:
On the day before he leaves to Italy, Vince tries to get the boys to come with him, but only manages to get Drama. Turtle still trying to get over Jamie, and tries to forget about her with the college dorm girl. And Eric says he’s going to try and get Sloan back -but the guys think it’ll be pretty hard.
Meanwhile, Ari and his wife meet with the therapist to discuss why his wife should lend him $12 million to help buy Terrance’s agency. But after Ari admits why he truly wants to buy it and pours his heart out, she agrees to spot him the money.
Despite Lloyd’s suggestion, Drama decides not to read for any acting gigs, saying he’s taking a break from it for a while. While shopping with Vince, the two run into Matt Damon who tries to pressure Vince into donating a cheque for his children’s charity.
5. George Clooney
This actor, was dubbed the sexiest man alive, is slowly shedding that reputation in place for one as one of Hollywood´s leading activists. Clooney is known for his passionate beliefs about ending the violence in Darfur and has said he will build support for the work the UN carry out,”critically important work in some of the most difficult, dangerous and dire places in the world”.
4. Sir Bob Gedolf
Best known for organising the 2005 Live 8 and 1985 Live Aids benefit concerts, this scruffy singer/journalist is tremendously well-informed on a broad range of global and national issues. Currently, he is heavily involved in the Make Poverty History Campaign, a campaign against third world poverty. Bob was recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 2005 European Hero’s and made the front cover of their European Edition in 2005. With such an impressive portfolio, it´s a wonder this philanthropist has any time for making music.
In the current music industry today, it is not uncommon to download an entire album from the comfort of your home, without spending a cent. Bono, from the rock band U2, takes offense to this and made it public when interviewed by the USA Today newspaper.
Bono admitted he was overpaid when he told the newspaper that illegal downloading “offended” him, according to chartattack.com.
“People think people like me are overpaid and over-nourished, and they’re not wrong,” he told the newspaper. “What they’re missing is, how does a songwriter get paid? There’s no space for a Cole Porter in the modern age.”
U2 frontman Bono appears to be getting a tad bit jealous of Coldplay’s new label as “the new U2 of our generation”. According to E! online, in a radio interview promoting U2’s new CD, No Line on the Horizon, which drops this week, Bono also “dropped a couple of verbal bombs on Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.”
The interview was held by BBC Radio 1 deejay Jo Whiley, who asked Bono if Martin was as talented as Paul McCartney. This question appeared to rub Bono the wrong way, as he replied “I think he’s a good melodist, but he’s a wanker”.
He went on to elaborate that Martin was “obviously a completely dysfunctional character and a cretin, but he happens to be a great melodist and up there with Ray Davies, Noel Gallagher and Paul McCartney.”
Whiley asked Bono for an apology, but Bono was insistent on his original opinion, E! online reports. He responded with “I’m a reformed character, I don’t any more.”
Bono must have realized the negative consequences his comment could have, as he tried to smooth over his earlier comment later in the interview. His version of an apology was, “I think [Coldplay] are a great band, and actually, it turns out [Martin’s] a great soul as well. Sorry about that. I was joking entirely.”
Bono is trading in his guitar for the almighty pen with his latest gig.
According to Billboard, the U2 frontman has been invited to write a column for the New York Times next year.
The unpaid position will see him contribute six to 10 pieces for the newspaper on a range of subjects, including Africa, poverty and Frank Sinatra.
A Times spokesperson said the paper is still finalizing the details.
Chris Martin, Bob Geldof and Brian May are among the musicians who have written for the Times in the past.
Bono himself has dabbled in journalism before. Besides acting as a guest editor for Vanity Fair last year, he recently blogged for the Financial Times.
U2 is expected to release a new album, the followup to 2004′s “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb,” next year.
U2 frontman and all-around humanitarian Bono teamed up with British artist Damien Hirst to raise $42 million US at a charity art auction in Manhattan on Thursday.
The event’s proceeds will go toward supporting the UN’s relief programs against HIV/AIDS in Africa.
Dubbed the (Red) Auction after Bono’s fundraising effort to fight AIDS in Africa, the contemporary art sale was organized by auction house Sotheby’s and Manhattan’s Gagosian Gallery. It featured 83 works by artists include Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Banksy, Tracey Emin, Willem De Kooning and Julian Schnabel.
Hirst’s “Where There’s A Will, There’s a Way” was the top item, selling for $7.15 million US. The work, one of his famous pill cabinet installations, was filled with medication used to treat HIV.
Bono called the night “historic” and said of the artists, “They’re my heroes tonight.”
He also led the crowd in an a cappella rendition of “All You Need Is Love.”
The auction drew a number of famous faces, including actor and modern art collector Dennis Hopper, Jordan’s Queen Noor, publishing guru Martha Stewart, hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, model Christy Turlington and former tennis pro John McEnroe.
Irish rockers The Edge and Bono shocked a crowd of 250 lucky concertgoers Friday in London by showing up unannounced to a charity gig.
The concert in north London was held to benefit Mencap, which helps people with learning disabilities and their families.
While the audience was told there would be some “very special guests” before the headlining act Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro, they weren’t expecting the world famous musicians.
“Don’t tell Larry [Mullen] and Adam [Clayton] we’ve done this,” Bono joked about his two missing U2 bandmates, CBC reports.
The duo started off the set with Stay, followed with Desire, Angel of Harlem and a song inspired by Bono’s 1985 trip to Ethiopia entitled Wave of Sorrow.
The stunned crowd gave the pair a standing ovation after the four-song performance.
“I’ve used all the battery on my phone taking pictures of them,” said fan Simon Dowling to BBC News as reported by CBC.
BONO and THE EDGE were among the sold out Olympia Theatre audience in Dublin, Ireland checking out R.E.M’s latest material on Saturday night.
The Losing My Religion band are staging five ‘Working Rehearsals’ at the venue to test new songs ahead of an upcoming album and tour.
R.E.M. bassist Mike Mills told the crowd the band chose Dublin for their pre-tour workout because R.E.M. consider the Irish to be “some of the best fans in the world”.
Walking onstage holding a Guinness, frontman Michael Stipe started the set with new songs Living Wells and Staring Down, admitting some of the new tracks had yet to be performed by the whole group.
Other new songs included Mr. Richards, Houston, Man Size Wreath and Till The Day Is Done.
R.E.M. wrap up their Dublin residency on Wednesday and then return to America to complete work on a new album.
(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
Rocker BONO has become the first guest editor of Variety, and has made his mark by giving the July issue of the U.S. magazine 20 different covers.
The crusading U2 singer has published a special Africa issue and gathered a galaxy of stars to feature in pairs on the many covers, which were all photographed by Annie Leibovitz.
Among those teaming up are Muhammad Ali and Maya Angelou, Bono and Jordan’s Queen Rania, Desmond Tutu and Oprah Winfrey, and U.S. President George W. Bush and Secretary Of State Condoleeza Rice.
(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
U2 stars BONO and THE EDGE are reportedly in negotiations to pen the score for a new Broadway SPIDER-MAN musical.
Tony-Award winning Lion King director Julie Taymor is the brains behind the ambitious production, according to BroadwayWorld. com.
Tentative rehearsals for the show are to being in July, according to reports.
The cast will include actors filling the roles of Spider-Man Peter Parker, Mary Jane, spider-woman Arachne, villain The Green Goblin and Daily Bugle publisher J. Jonah Jameson.
(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
U2 frontman BONO will serve as guest editor for the July issue of style magazine Vanity Fair.
The Irish singer has also had stints guest editing British newspaper The Independent and France’s Liberation.
Bono, who has campaigned for debt relief and poverty reduction in Africa and focused attention on AIDS, will include special stories about the continent in the issue.
Editor GRAYDON CARTER tells the New York Times, “Bono will make a different issue about Africa than we would.
“I think there isn’t one editor in the world who would not pay attention if Bono pulled up and said he wanted to edit a magazine.”
The singer said he was attracted to the opportunity to edit the magazine because of its ability to tell stories well.
He adds, “We need to get better at storytelling. We’ve got to get better at telling the success stories of Africa in addition to the horror stories.”
Carter described the stories about Africa as a “tough sell,” but said he thought the combination of Vanity Fair and Bono would appeal to readers.
(c) 2007 WORLD ENTERTAINMENT NEWS NETWORK LTD. All global rights reserved. No unauthorized copying or re-distributing permitted.
