Q: “What’s the difference between God and Bono?”
A: “God doesn’t think he’s Bono.”
First off, this column isn’t an attempt to rile people up. For some reason people have really strong opinions on this topic. I’m coming from a place with this that many won’t come from. I’m not going to claim I’ve been a lifelong fan. I mainly got into U2 in the late 90’s during their “weird” period. I was engulfed in the fires of grunge bands like Nirvana and STP and the likes of Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and cool stuff like that. Still I found myself really into U2. By the time “Beautiful Day” came out, I was a super fan. As with any super fan of any super band, I had a good grasp on the history, knew and loved the songs, and could talk about the band for hours. They would secure their place as my “second favorite band of all time”. While I’m grown up a bit and matured from that high school fan boy, I’m still a loyal fan of U2.
They are one of the only modern rock bands to continue to push themselves and evolve for so long. Like ANY music or art, it’s all subjective. If you can’t get into the music so be it. I don’t think anyone in their right mind can downplay the skill, melody, and talent of the band. I get it though. There are bands that everyone seems to love and praise that I just can’t get into. Sadly, the hate doesn’t end there.
It’s not so much a “difference of taste” with a lot of folks. The “Anti-Bono” movement has grown in full force. Folks I know that have enjoyed U2 in the past will still talk shit. Folks I know who have no frame of reference on anything related to U2 will talk shit. Folks I know who like horrible bands will STILL talk shit. My problem with this is that I’ve yet to really hear a fair and valid reason for anyone to hate the lead vocalist of U2.
Today I’m going to randomly and rambley approach some of the common things I’ve heard and read over the years….
“SOUTHPARK TOLD ME TO!”
The creators of South Park took shots at Bono in that whole “number two” episode. It was amusing and all, but it was pretty mean spirited. It covered a lot of what I’m covering here. The South Park guys have a real opinion. They’re old enough to have experience the many phases of the band. They prefer their own shitty music tastes and that’s fine. It just feels like A LOT of folks jumped on the “Anti-Bono” bandwagon after this episode. I know for a fact that there are those out there who have a very limited knowledge of Bono, U2, or their history. They instantly “HATE BONO” or ignorantly spit out “U2 SUCKS!” It’s easy to blindly hate, it’s a real challenge to form your own opinion.
I’ve converted quite a few of these people. They’ll go with the trend of hating on Bono and the band and then I’ll crank up select tracks from “Rattle and Hum”, “Hold Me, Thrill Me” from the old Batman soundtrack, or even some of the less played stuff on the more recent albums. Open minds, open eyes, and open ears get the best seats in this dojo of life.
“HE IS SOOOO PRETENTIOUS”
Is the idea of a pretentious rockstar something new? Not a chance. If Bono has haters for utilizing his fame for causes and charity I’d imagine John Lennon would be HATED in today’s TMZ world. I’d really like anyone to list a Rockstar over the age of 40 who isn’t off their kitler a little and aren’t a bit pretentious. I love me some David Bowie, but I’d be kidding myself if I didn’t admit to his pretentious ways. Are Mick Jagger and Steven Tyler not on the sleazy and douche side? You can’t pin this one on Bono. Sure, it’s ALL perception to begin with, but just in common terms ALL of these rockstars have their douche moments.
“HE LOOKS LIKE A FOOL! I MEAN LOOK AT THOSE SUNGLASSES! GAH!”
I’ve always thought Bono looked a bit like American comedian Robin Williams. I don’t get this nonsense either. He wears sunglasses. So what? How is that horrible? A lot of people wear sunglasses; in fact a lot more annoying people wear sunglasses. U2 did have a few phases of dressing up, but all in all they’ve been fairly casual in terms of rockstardom. Bono’s glasses are not any lamer than Steven Tyler’s hair streaks, Mick Jagger’s skinny suits, or Paul McCartney’s lack of personality.
“TAXES! BLAH BLAH BLAH!”
So U2’s music publishing relocated from Ireland to an offshore location. There is controversy about this because of the money the country would lose from them pulling their business. This sucks for Ireland, but whose business is this really? People are quick to point at Bono and call foul, but let’s not forget he’s only one quarter of a band and I’m sure one piece of the puzzle. Does this mean Bono isn’t doing his part in helping out his country? I’d much rather have Canadian or UK’s healthcare over the non-existent US one. Does this mean I’m un-American? Not at all. I’m not even getting into the fact that The Rolling Stones did the same thing in the 70s. For all we know this clears up money for the band to do MORE charity. Why automatically jump the negative conclusion?
“HE FLEW HIS HAT TO HIMSELF!”
I’ve encountered one or two people who hate Bono solely because of this story. The story goes that while in Italy he wanted to wear a specific hat. The hat was in London so he bought a plane ticket get his hat flown to him. This IS totally excessive and is slightly embarrassing, but I can get over it. Is this the first time a celebrity used their money to excess? Is Bono pouring bottles of Champaign on stripper’s asses? Is he “making it rain”? Did he buy an MC Hammer-like mansion? I don’t like it, but I don’t see it as a reason to HATE the guy. Those with access to excess are going to use it. I once had a hat that I wore for what felt like years. I lost it and it seriously screwed me up a little for a few days. I can understand how something as simple as a hat can become almost a security planet. If anything it says how bad the postal service is there.
"ONE, TWO, THREE, FOURTEEN!"
Yeah, I got nothing…
“IF HE REALLY WANTS TO END POVERTY, HE’D VISIT AN ATM!”
Bono gets behind many causes. He has been a huge political figure in the past twenty or so years. He’ll meet with dignitaries and leaders and use his celebrity to be able to voice his opinions. Bono then gets on the telethons and asks for money. He pushes his charities. He is a constant sound board of the misfortunate.
Because of this, the more cynical of people think there’s some type of alterier motive. They’ll point out the photo ops, the speeches, the meetings, and all of the pandering. Is he taking these pictures himself? Is EVERY celebrity that gets attention from the media pandering like they claim Bono is? Are George Clooney, Brad Pitt, or the like pandering too? I don’t find this to be fair at all. He’s famous and he’s pushing good causes, but everything he does is nitpicked by those looking for reasons to prove his illegitimacy as a “good person”. It’s much like a politician. Not because he’s acting like one, but rather being treated like one.
You can dislike him or even not agree with his stances but who the hell are we to question his intent? He could say screw it and just buy a third world island(I bet they’d give him a good deal) and live his days off his fortune and fame. Instead he aspires for good. Why are we shitting on the man for this?
He doesn’t make his charitable donations public. Why should he? Why does he need to prove himself to haters who haven’t devoted 1% of the time to good causes as Bono. I hate to be “that guy”, but the saying of “time is money” is as true as anything. The money Bono could make on a tour would probably make 99% of the 1% erect, but instead he’s in Africa hugging people. You can point out he’s wearing a hat that travelled more than us, you can point out the media taking pictures, and you can point out any inconsistencies in the dude’s stance… the point is that he’s there. That counts for something.
“HE’S JUST A TW@T!”
Maybe he is. Who REALLY knows outside of those who know him personally? He’s one of those people that you never hear anyone who has actually met him say anything bad about. Well, almost. Those who have had bad things to say are typically negative folks to begin with. Does he have an ego? Of course he does. I would fucking hope so. He IS Bono, ya know. I’m not saying he’s “God” or anything close to it, but in the same respect I would hope he knows the power he has. He’s earned it. If he wasn’t the unstoppable force, he wouldn’t get shit done. Not just the charity and causes, but being able to fill arenas, sell millions of records, and just do all of that stuff that he IS famous and acclaimed for.
Is “Ego” a bad thing? Morrison had an ego. Lennon, Elvis, Tupac, Jay Z, Plant, Hendrix, and just about anyone who has every really accomplished anything in music has had that ego. It’s a certain drive and absence of self-doubt that makes these types of larger than life personalities the icons they are.
“Celebrity is currency and I want to spend mine well.” - Bono on Celebrity
Let’s be clear and fair. I’m open-minded. I have no problem getting in a good joke on something I enjoy or like IF it’s funny. Life is too short to be unnerved by this stuff. Never the less, I’d like to really understand WHY people don’t like U2. It’d be cool to have someone have legitimate reasons and present them without being snarky bullies about it. Outside of the more cerebral nitpickers, this has yet to be seen.
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