U2: История одного проекта

U2's Bono Backed By Broadcasters in FCC Indecency Crackdown

U2 frontman Bono has a lot of heavy weights going to bat for him against the Federal Communications Commissions (FCC) over his 2003 swearing incident during a live broadcast. A coalition of broadcasters, artist rights groups and media heavyweights filed a petition with the FCC on Monday asking the regulators to reconsider a recent profanity ruling over the Bono incident that many consider the first in the FCC’s efforts to crackdown on indecency since the Janet Jackson breast bearing at the Super Bowl in January.
The coalition consisting of over 20 signatures to the petition, warn that the recent crackdown were already threatening free speech on TV and radio. They also feel that the FCC has overstepped their constitutional authority. Viacom Inc., Fox Entertainment Group, and the Screen Actors' Guild were among those that signed the petition that protests the FCC’s finding in March that NBC affiliate television stations had violated a federal profanity law during a live broadcast of the Golden Globe awards in 2003, when U2 frontman Bono blurted out the words “fucking brilliant” from the stage. The FCC had previous ruled, prior to Nipple-gate, that it was in inadvertent slip of the tongue and did not violate the law.

The FCC has recently proposed stiffer penalties for broadcast indecency including higher fines and revoking broadcast licenses for repeated offenses.

If the FCC dismissed the request of the petitioners, the next step is to take the issue to court.

Update 4/21: FCC chairman Michael Powell told a conference of the National Association of Broadcasters on Tuesday that he does not support a new bill that would revoke a station’s license following a third indecency violation.

"I don't think you should reduce something as facile and vague as indecency to clear cause-and-effect consequences," Michael Powell said. "I don't like the idea that we could trip into license revocation."

Powell also addressed concerns that the government may be going overboard in enacting new rules for indecency. "I think the government should be exceedingly conservative about any regulation of content for anyone," he said. "I don't generally support the extension of content rules unless Congress supports a statement asking us to do so".

Powell was careful to point out that it is the current laws on the books that are being used and warned against those that wish to have the government step in further to define indecency. "The indecency provision that is being administered today is the same one that's been around for decades," Powell said. "You do not want the government to write a red book of what you can say and not say".

He pointed out the Supreme Court has ruled on the free speech implications of FCC rules and sanctioned the limiting of sexual content and offensive language on the public airwaves.

"I would like to see the industry step up and put the commission on the sidelines," added Commissioner Michael Copps. "Until that time, the FCC has an obligation to enforce and use all the tools we have."

Bono, The Edge Rock With Sinatra

(05/27/04) -- Nearly ten years ago, U2 frontman Bono and American icon Frank Sinatra were seen hanging out together like two drunks in a Bowery bar. Actually, Bono not only presented the lifetime achievement award to Sinatra at the Grammys, but also recorded a song with the maestro on his duets album. Rumor also has it that Sinatra and Bono would go rounds trying to drink each other under the table (Sinatra reportedly won). Legendary tales aside, there's probably no doubt that the two singers had a rapport folks could only speculate on. Everyone except for Frank's daughter, Nancy, of course, who recently invited Bono and U2 guitarist The Edge to appear on her forthcoming album, To Nancy, With Love. The album will hit stores late summer or early fall. The daughter of the legendary troubadour will croon "Two Shots of Happy" with the Irish rockers, who originally wrote the song for Ol' Blue Eyes himself. "It's a little difficult emotionally because this is about Dad, but it's a bang-on description of him," Nancy said in a statement. Others expected to make an appearance on the album include Elvis Costello, Steven Van Zandt, Pete Yorn and Jon Spencer. Here's looking at you kid!

Фото: Ее сапоги были сделаны для ходьбы

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U2 Honor Bono's Late Father

"Tough" targeted for U2's tenth album

U2 have recorded "Tough," a tribute to singer Bono's father who passed away in 2001, for their tenth album, which they hope to finish this summer for a fall release.

Among the other new tracks to be featured on the follow-up to 2000's Grammy-winning All That You Can't Leave Behind is "Full Metal Jacket," which Bono describes as "the mother of all rock tunes."

The band began recording in Dublin last year with producer Chris Thomas (Sex Pistols, Paul McCartney); in February, Steve Lillywhite, who recorded U2's early records, took over.

"The record is so good that it won't even matter that people are sick of U2," Bono added. "It's driven by a guitar player who's sick of the sight of me shaking hands with dodgy politicians."

U2 plan to kick off a world tour in Miami in March 2005.

Bono To Address European Leaders

U2 frontman Bono will try to persuade European Union ministers to extend debt relief programs for the world's poorest countries when he addresses a special meeting in Dublin tomorrow (June 1).

EU development ministers are currently undecided whether to pursue a policy of debt relief or one based on targeted aid for the world's poorest countries.

Bono has frequently used his celebrity status to gain access to global leaders to discuss issues on the Third World. On May 20, he told a United States Congressional hearing he was ashamed by Europe's lukewarm support for punitive sanctions against military-ruled Burma, and its failure to support activist Aung San Suu Kyi.

As previously reported, U2 is eyeing a fall release for its next Interscope studio album, the follow-up to 2000's "All That You Can't Leave Behind." A world tour is expected to follow.

LIVE AID 2 PLANNED?

BONO is planning a massive concert to ease Third World debt on the 20th anniversary of LIVE AID, according to reports.

This morning’s The Sun newspaper (May 31) quotes Government sources as saying the U2 singer is hoping to organise the event next summer, backed by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Possible venues include London Hyde Park and Knebworth.

The original Live Aid took place in 1985 in Britain and the US, and saw appearances from the likes of Queen and David Bowie. It raised tens of millions of pounds for Africa which was suffering a catastrophic famine.

The newspaper said that Bob Geldof, who organised the 1985 event, could also be involved this time around. However, he’s issued a statement saying he won’t be taking part.

He said: “I told the Sun this afternoon it was not true. This only serves to undermine the concerted efforts of those concerned with the tragedy of poverty in Africa. However, if the Prime Minister wants to organise a Live Aid II, then good luck to him."

New U2 By Years End

U2 will release a new studio album before the end of the year according to comments from their manager Paul McGuiness.

McGuiness hinted that the album should be in stores by November.

Bono and The Edge were spotted last week in the south of France attending a Grand Prix with Universal head Jimmy Iovine. Iovine worked behind the desk with U2 on both 'Rattle and Hum' and 'Under A Blood Red Sky'. He is credited as producer on their now classic hit single 'Desire'. U2 are reported to be completing the album in France with Iovine overseeing the final stages.

Bono further hinted about at a new sound for the album on CNN this week saying it will be U2's first ever rock album.

A single is expected in September.

Bono Denies 'Live Aid 2' Plans

U2 frontman Bono today (June 1) dismissed reports in the British tabloid press which claim he was planning a second Live Aid concert. Speaking as he met with the European Union's development ministers at Dublin Castle, Bono said that the issues of debt, poverty and disease were too big for a concert to address.

"We would love to be talking about Live Aid II, but the sums of money we are dealing with are in the billions of euros, not the millions," Bono told delegates. "It would help, but not fix the problem." The original Live Aid concerts in London and Philadelphia in 1985 raised an estimated $100 million to fight hunger in Ethiopia.

Bono added that the world was facing a dangerous time, and Europe could show its influence in a way that went beyond trade or military strength. The first priority for the European Union, he said, was to boost aid efforts for the world's poorest countries, and keep promises on debt and assistance.

"Continental Africa is bursting into flames right now, there's an emergency going on and for me it's not really about charity at this point, it's about justice," he said. "A lot of people in Europe are doing great things, but a lot of promises have been broken."

However, one EU official said Bono was badly informed about aid and debt, and depended heavily on scare stories by non-governmental organizations. "He was taken aback when he heard about the realities of what the EU is doing, and what the obstacles were. I think he was impressed, and learnt something," the official said. EU aid commissioner Poul Nielson told the star that he should continue to rock the boat on aid, but should first get his facts right.

Bono Condemns Governments

U2's Bono has lashed out at the world's governments saying they don't do enough do enough for third world countries.

At a meeting in Dublin for the European Union yesterday, Bono said Government's have "broken their promises". He has called for governments to give .7% of their national income to benefiting the poorest of the poor.

Bono said he was proud Ireland had already pleaded to give .7% and Sweden is the first country to reach and hand over the .7%.

Of the countries who are not contributing Bono says "It is just not good".

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Bono breaches Irish smoking ban

DUBLIN, Republic of Ireland (Reuters) -- Rock and roll ain't what it used to be. U2 frontman Bono has apologized -- for having a cigarette.

The breach of Ireland's new smoking ban was committed last week during a night out with Californian rockers The Red Hot Chili Peppers.

The singer, real name Paul Hewson, was spotted lighting up during a late-night bash in the plush Tea Room restaurant of the Clarence Hotel, which he and fellow U2 mates own.

"It was the wee small hours. I was in the company of people from out of town who didn't know about the ban and for a moment nor did I," newspapers quoted Bono as saying on Friday.

"I was quickly reminded by the staff and a few friends. I apologized then and I apologize now."

Ireland became the first country in the world to outlaw smoking in the workplace when it introduced the ban earlier this year. The government has hailed it as a resounding success with most people -- the odd rock star aside -- complying.

U2's Bono joins private equity fund

BONO, lead singer of rock band U2 and humanitarian, is to become the acceptable face of venture capitalism after his appointment as a director of a Silicon Valley financial company.
The 44-year-old pop icon, whose real name is Paul David Hewson, has agreed to become a managing director of Elevation Partners, a private equity fund seeking to invest in media and entertainment companies.

The fund has been established by Roger McNamee, a top technology investor, and John Riccitiello, a former president of Electronic Arts, the video-game maker. They hope to raise $1 billion (£550 million) for new investments.

It is thought to be Bono’s first directorship of an investment firm, although not his first flirtation with business. In 1992 he and The Edge, a fellow band member, bought and restored the Clarence Hotel in Dublin.

Elevation Partners declined to comment on the appointment but observers said the U2 frontman would bring a network of connections that spanned entertainment, media and politics because of his involvement in a wide range of well-meaning causes.

Since his appearance at Live Aid, the 1985 concert to raise money for those starving in Africa, Bono has become heavily involved in humanitarian issues, usually centred on debt relief for countries of the developing world.

He was one of the key backers of Jubilee 2000, a campaign to wipe out the debts of less fortunate nations. More recently the Dublin-born rock star has been the driving force behind Data, which seeks to raise awareness about the crises swamping Africa.

Bono’s work with Data (Debt, Aids, Trade in Africa) has brought him into contact with some of the most powerful people in business, including Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, and Warren Buffett, often described as the world’s best living investor.

A spokeswoman for Bono said that he had never been an “anti-capitalist”. She said he was more interested in helping to assuage poverty in Africa.

Another of Ireland’s great pop stars, Bob Geldof, has combined business with worthy causes. He sold his Planet 24 TV production company before moving to Deckchair.com.

June 30, 2004
Where Poets Speak Their Heart

Chilean Chancellor Soledad Alvear has announced activities to celebrate the centenary of poet Pablo Neruda. The activities include a wide range of cultural activities, such as lectures and meetings, around the world. Also, with the purpose of recognizing the influence of Pablo Neruda’s life and work in the artistic world, the Chilean Government will deliver 100 medals to the most relevant personalities in the cultural scene. Bono will receive a medal and a diploma signed by the Chilean President Ricardo Lagos on July 12th. Other medals are destined to Ernesto Sabato, Arthur Miller, Mario Vargas Llosa, Jose Saramago, and Mario Benedetti among others.