U2=BBC (Not So Much)

The BBC is to overhaul the regulations that dictate how much damage it can do to its commercial rivals after being criticised by its own fair trading committee.

The corporation, backed by the £3.6 billion licence fee, will use two separate reviews to consider everything from the activities of its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, to the effect on its rivals when it signs exclusive coverage deals.

The BBC Trust, the corporation’s governing body, will carry out a full public consultation on the BBC’s fair trading policy, to begin in the summer,while BBC executives have also been ordered by an internal fair trading panel to revamp guidelines that govern the impact of editorial decisions on commercial rivals.

The reviews came to light in an internal report, leaked to The Times, that ruled that the BBC had unfairly damaged commercial channels through its tie-up with U2, the Irish band, for an album launch, which included altering the BBC logo to “U2=BBC”.

The corporation’s Executive Fair Trading Committee upheld a complaint from RadioCentre, which represents commercial radio groups, that the link-up between the BBC and U2, which included a BBC DJ claiming that it was “part of launching this new album” had “impacted negatively on commercial radio stations’ access to U2”.

The committee said: “Based on the independent economic advice received the panel concludes that the BBC’s activities in the case of the U2 coverage had the potential to cause a negative impact on the commercial radio sector.”

The BBC is bound by a “competitive impact principle” that decrees it should “endeavour to minimise its negative competitive impacts on the wider market”.

The BBC Trust review, which will be completed by the end of the year, will also consider the activities of Worldwide, which has a turnover of more than £1 billion and has frequently been criticised for using its links to the corporation to “bully” smaller players.

In November the BBC Trust ruled that Worldwide should not repeat deals such as its 2007 acquisition of Lonely Planet, the guidebook publisher, for £90 million. Rivals claim that the deal meant the BBC was entering a market that had little relation to the corporation’s core purposes.

Tony Elliott, chairman of Time Out, a competitor to Lonely Planet, said: “It is about time the BBC got to grips with the effect it has on the rest of the market. We will be making representations to this review that the BBC should be more mindful of the damage it can impose on its commercial competitors. Hopefully we will get some genuine action.”

The BBC Trust has ordered Worldwide to publish a business plan for its activities over the coming years, by the end of March. Insiders concede that the document could have to be rewritten if the Trust dramatically alters the rules governing the impact the commercial unit can have on the market.

RadioCentre will also make representations to the reviews. A spokesperson said: “The BBC’s almost effortless access to hugely popular bands and big name talent means that its on-air output can have a significant negative impact on competitors, as it secures a far greater share of the limited promotional time than its public service remit requires.

“All too often the BBC simply justifies its editorial decisions by saying that it is satisfying audience demand, forgetting that the primary purpose of the BBC is the promotion of its public purposes not simply the pursuit of popularity.”

A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC accepts the findings of the Executive Fair Trading Panel and will action the recommendations that have been made. These include a review of relevant sections of the Editorial and Fair Trading Guidelines to provide greater clarity in the future.”

U2 play surprise rooftop concert

(Remember this interview ?)

Rock band U2 have played a surprise gig on top of BBC Broadcasting House, in central London.

A crowd of around 5,000 watched the rooftop show, which capped off a day of promotion for the Irish band’s 12th studio album No Line On The Horizon.

U2 had been special guests on BBC Radio 1 and rumours of the gig appeared on internet message boards during the day.

The band performed four tracks during the 20-minute gig, including new songs Get On Your Boots and Magnificent.

They also performed Beautiful Day and Vertigo, as onlookers danced, clapped and sang along in the street below.

‘Great honour’

The BBC’s Darryl Chamberlain, who was at the scene, said: “Some people tried to crowd on to traffic islands to see them… the crowd was screaming and cheering.

“Others were spilling out of pubs and shops to see it, and looking out of windows. It was a good natured crowd and people really seemed to be enjoying it.”

Police closed Portland Place in Westminster to divert traffic away from the area.

U2 at the BBC
News of the unannounced gig spread on internet message boards

The band all wrapped up against the cold, except The Edge who wore a short-sleeved lumberjack shirt and hat.

The performance was also broadcast live on DJ Chris Evans’ BBC Radio 2 show.

U2’s impromptu gig echoed The Beatles’ 1969 rooftop performance at record label Apple’s London headquarters.

Earlier the band revealed they are preparing to tour later this year, and hope to offer tickets with cheaper, recession-busting prices.

Frontman Bono told BBC Radio 1’s Jo Whiley they had “something very special planned” for early summer.

He added that it was “a whole way of trying to do shows outdoors and make them very intimate”.

In an interview on Radio 5 Live with Simon Mayo, Bono said that he had “gone off” Get On Your Boots a few weeks ago, but was now “back on it”.

“It’s a small song, a tiny little song, a little shot of adrenalin,” he added.

Another song from the album, Breathe, had its live debut at an intimate Radio 1 concert on Friday morning.

Bono told the audience: “This is a great honour. This is the first time we’ve played these songs to people, so we hope we don’t screw it up.”

He said they were “trying” to work on some cheaper ticket prices, but added: “We’re also going to have some very expensive ticket prices because rich people have feelings too!”

Radio 1 also apologised on-air immediately after Bono used an expletive to describe Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin.

The BBC said it had received no complaints about it.

Bono Kissed Me, Really he did !

February the month of love some would say. In honor of the upcoming Valentines day weekend - ah yea next weekend.  We found this wonderful story from Charlene Ross editor over at SKIRT! Hey now fellas we ready cosmo too.

Why not we could all learn a couple of things.  Plus we are not a complete staff of guys we do have a couple of female writers. Anyway. Back to the story.

Charlene’s 2.1.10 article happened to be on her experience kissing Bono. She of course not the first nor the last that kissed Bono and said her life changed for ever. We thought about the story for a couple of days, Dre contacted her and we have clearance to post the full story. -  We want to hear from you ! Have you ever kissed one of the boys ? Do tell ! Share your experience with us. kissedu2 at u2tourfans.com or leave a comment below. P.S  we added some photos from our collection - They are not tied to the original story.

My Life Changed Forever the Night that Bono Kissed Me

Hmmm…well, that statement might be a tiny bit misleading but it is certainly not a lie. My life did change forever the night that Bono kissed me. But his kiss was not the reason why. In fact I suppose it would be true to say that Bono kissed me because of the reason my life changed forever.

This is my February love story…

When Dave and I had been together for about 4 years I was ready to get married. No, scratch that, I was desperate to get married. Well, not to get married, but to marry him.  I. Wanted. To. Marry. Him.

Bono and Wife A year and a half into our relationship Dave was promoted and moved to New York. We carried on our relationship long distance for a year. He asked me to move to New York with him without any promise of a future and I did because I missed him so badly.

In less than six months we were back in California because of a new and better job. We went house hunting. He bought the house that I chose and we lived in it together, again without promise of a future of anything beyond that. After a year of playing house I was ready for a ring.

I’d had some false hope… I was convinced he was going to ask me on a trip to his hometown of Chicago for homecoming weekend. He didn’t.

I was equally disappointed on a romantic vacation in Hawaii when my fantasy proposal at a restaurant on a sunset beach never materialized.

If I remember correctly both of these disappointments led to me crying like a crazy person in the middle of a restaurant when my dream moment did not happen.  It’s amazing he didn’t run away from me as fast as he could without ever looking back.

So when he asked me to get a few days off of work so we could go to San Francisco over the 4th of July holiday I knew he was going to ask. He hated San Francisco but I loved it. Why else would he want to go there if not to propose?

But here’s the thing about Dave… he loves surprises. Once he told me we were going to Napa for wine tasting, which we did, but only after going to see Paul McCartney in Berkley. When he was living in New York and I was still in California I took a couple days off work because he was coming to LA and had planned a trip to the Sequoias for us.

The day before he was supposed to arrive I received a Fed Ex envelope with a ticket to Chicago where we met for a romantic weekend. (That was the weekend he asked me to move to New York which is why I was convinced a year later when we went back he was going to ask me to be his wife.)

Girl trys to grab a kiss So three days before we were supposed to leave for San Francisco when he said to me, “How would you like it if instead of going to San Francisco, we went to Paris and Italy instead?” I excitedly answered “What!?”

Dave worked at Island Records – U2’s record label. He explained to me that he had arranged a business trip with some radio programmers and trade magazine writers to go to Paris to see a new band called Quicksand to generate some publicity and airplay for them.

Then as a special bonus we were all going on to Verona to see U2.

I was thrilled… and crushed. There would obviously be no proposal on a business trip.

The trip was a whirlwind. We were only in Europe for 5 days. We took the redeye and arrived in Paris the following afternoon.

Dave played tour guide to a group of 15 in a city he had never been to. Paris was a day and a half of sightseeing, big group dinner, followed by another day of sightseeing, big group dinner, concert and very little sleep.

The next morning all 15 of us got up, walked to a bus stop, boarded a bus that took us to the airport, flew to Milan, took 4 cabs to the train station, took a train to Verona and then took more cabs to our hotel. We were exhausted but Dave had to leave immediately to go to the venue where U2 was playing to set up our ticket and pass situation.

Bono and Adam grab a kiss When we arrived at the stadium we met Dave and he told us we would be watching the show from the sound board. The sound board was huge – kind of like a mini stage in the middle of the floor area.

Coincidentally there were also many people not only from the management company, but other industry bigwigs as well. Tom Freston, the president of MTV; Carter Alan the Boston DJ who is credited as being the first DJ in the US to play U2; Bill Flanagan from Musician Magazine who was writing a book about the tour were all on the soundboard with us. Pearl Jam was the opening band. Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington were there. I may not have been getting engaged, but this little girl from Reseda was surely living the rock and roll dream.

(For those of you unfamiliar with Reseda please re-watch The Karate Kid where Ralph Macchio’s character is looked down upon by Elizabeth Shue’s parents and called “that boy from Reseda.” That pretty much sums up Reseda, where I am actually pretty proud to be from.)

But let’s go back to that soundboard in Verona, Italy…

The show was amazing. I’d seen the band perform a couple of times on this tour before, but never like this – in Italy, amongst the powerful and famous with a laminated backstage pass hanging around my neck. When the first part of the show was over and the band changed for their encore they would entertain their audience with videos recorded by audience members in a video confessional booth before the show. The best videos would be edited during the concert and blasted on the big screen. Again, I’d seen this before and was explaining what it was to the radio programmer next to me because the people on the screen were talking in Italian and we had no idea what they were saying. And then the third person on the screen was Dave. And. I. Just. Knew…

Some times a kiss is just a kiss “Charlene, we’ve come over 5,000 miles and we’ve been on planes, trains, and automobiles to get here, and what I want to know is…will you marry me.”

I wasn’t even standing next to him. I crossed the soundboard, threw my arms around him, and said yes.

Under the guise of generating an awareness of a new band and being looked upon favorably by taking a bunch of programmers and writers to see the most famous band in the world, the real purpose of this trip was an incredibly large romantic gesture just for me.

After the concert we were all put on a bus that took us back to U2’s hotel. There was a private party for the band by pool area witha generous buffet and free flowing wine. Naomi Campbell was engaged to Adam Clayton at the time and we chatted with them for a while. One of the guys in our group had snuckhis camera into the concert and we all posed for a photo with the Edge. Immediately after that shot his camera battery died. (This was over 16 years ago – before tiny digital cameras and camera cell phones.) Naomi Campbell and Christy Turlington and some of their gorgeous model friends played ping pong in flimsy summer dresses. (Picture every male head on that patio going back and forth, back and forth withthe ball from model to model.) I met Bono who congratulated me on my engagement and kissed me right on the lips. I am not exaggerating when I say that I think I drank 12 glasses of red wine and did not feel one tiny bit drunk (nor did I wake up with a hangover). It was without a doubt the happiest day of my life.

Two days later when we flew home Dave bought me a Gucci watch I had been coveting for a long time in the duty free shop. I joked with him on the plane that I didn’t know what was the best part of the trip – the designer watch, the kiss from Bono, or getting engaged. Sixteen years later the watch sits in a box; it’s no longer my style. The taste of Bono’s kiss (which yes, okay was really only just a peck) has long been washed away from my lips. But my lovefor Dave, my husband of 16 years next month, has only grown stronger. So I guess we all know the answer about what was best. (Definitely the kiss from Bono – right!?)

Editor Comment: After reading this story I was reminded of a story I have read at least twice. The possibility of finding love. “A Bridge A Cross For Ever” just  wonderful story about true love, true friends and in the end love wins. - Thank you Charlene for allowing us the chance to share this story with our readers.   Dre

U2 Voted Best Superbowl Half time show ever

 

AC/DC singer attacks Bono

The singers Bono and Bob Geldof have incurred the wrath of Brian Johnson, a fellow rock star and frontman of AC/DC, over their celebrity activism.

Brian Johnson AC/DCJohnson, the gravel-voiced British singer of Australia’s biggest rock band, has joined a growing group of critics of Geldof and the U2 singer over their very public charity work, saying they should stop lecturing audiences about charity work and instead do their good deeds in private.

“I do it myself, I don’t tell everybody I’m doing it,” Johnson, 62, told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper.

“I don’t tell everybody they should give money – they can’t afford it. When I was a working man I didn’t want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa.”

He then offered some words of advice to his fellow rockers: “I’m sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry. I become all tyrannical.”

AC/DC were asked to play at the Live Aid concert in 1985, but turned down the chance to play at the charity event, which raised an estimated £100 million for famine relief and made an international celebrity activist out of Geldof.

Johnson described Geldof, who also organised the Live 8 benefit concerts in support of the Make Poverty History campaign in 2005, as a “canny lad”.

“He did what he though was right at the time but it didn’t work,” Johnson said of Geldof’s Live Aid concert. “The money didn’t go to poor people. It makes me mad when people try to use politics or charity for publicity. Do a charity gig, fair enough, but not on worldwide television.”

Johnson’s tirade against the two Irish multi-millionaires is not the first time their charitable work has earned them criticism for letting their egos get in the way of campaigns.

Bono/ Dave Long U2TOURFANS 2009 Bono, who regularly lobbies governments on behalf of the world’s poor, is a fixture of the annual G8 summits, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times and has an honorary knighthood, was also attacked by the author Paul Theroux in 2005.

Theroux claimed the U2 singer was part of a group of celebrity “mythomaniacs, people who wish to convince the world of their worth”, and accused him of perpetuating the lie that Africa was fatally troubled and could only be saved by outside help.

Bono responded by calling his critics “cranks carping from the sidelines”, during an interview with the Times in 2006.

“A lot of them wouldn’t know what to do if they were on the field. They’re the party who will always be in opposition so they’ll never have to take responsibility for decisions because they know they’ll never be able to implement them,” Bono said.

Oscar Snubs, Denver Rolls, Jesus Rocks U2



Dear U2, a letter to the Editor

U2  fans seem to be vocal about almost anything. They should be most of us have grown up with U2 and while we may or may not agree with Bono’s politics or view we at least share one common view. That all of us have the power to express our views as well as take action. I have been getting some interesting emails over the last year. Most of which I have chosen to not post out of respect of the writer. However after few days of consideration we talked this letter over and over and we all agreed that this would be the first letter for 2010 to share. Remember your welcome to write a letter to the editor anytime and we will not guarantee  that it will be published.  I welcome your comments and your letters.  Send them to Editor

Dearest U2: 

I never imagined that I would be writing this letter, but after all these years I feel like I don’t know you anymore.  I love you for so many reasons, primarily the humanitarian work you do.  It is honorable to be of such service to others…Bono is a lucky man in that respect.  I have tremendous respect.

Gosh, it was so long ago when we met.  It was 1980 or ‘81.  I think ‘81.  I remember seeing you across the room for the first time in Boston, MA at The Paradise.  What a night!  It literally changed my life!  I felt like a new person on this new adventure and nobody could bring me down from the ceiling!  I couldn’t get enough of you.  From that moment on I knew you were the one for me and we’d be together forever.

Why did you do it?  Its hard being with you when I know you’d rather be with Live Nation.  You’re not the same.  Once whispering in my ear, “Thank you for this life!” and now what I hear is “Thanks to Live Nation, Blackberry…” *sobbing* …maybe you did mention that thank-you in there somewhere but it was drowned out by corporate nods.  

I never thought I would ever hear those words come out of your mouth.  Maybe it’s true.  Maybe you DO find them more attractive and maybe it IS the money.  We’re all human.  I can’t compete with a corporation because obviously they can support you more suitably than I can.

I really don’t know where it all started going wrong.  Maybe it was how you flirted with Apple, I don’t know.  Look, I know things change.  After all, we can’t climb staging like we used to!  I just always imagined us living happily ever after, no matter what you were doing on stage or in the studio.  As we both grew up and changed things evolved but it was really great, wasn’t it?  We discovered so much about each other through the years and you have to admit we became addicted to each other.  You can’t deny the electricity and fireworks between us.  

When people said spiteful things about you, I was always in your corner.  I know it’s just because they’re jealous.  They don’t understand you at all.  They don’t live with you as I do.  I knew what you were made of and what you stood for; I stood for the same things, which is why it worked so well.  You love me and still want me in your life, I KNOW that.

The rumors prove to be too much to bear.  Why are people saying these things?  The tax evasion accusations were hard enough, and then I hear Paul McGuinness at MIDEM in 2008.  You really shook things up there!  But you know something, I don’t even know why I mention that because I TOTALLY get it when you can’t make any money on something you work really hard at, I get that.  

The thing is, it’s getting a bit inflated and I’m running out of money to support you…is that why you want to leave?  Because of the money?  I was always there trying to support you so you could continue doing what you love to do!  I bought ALL the records AND tapes, THEN I bought ALL the CDs, EVERY tour program, re-release and t-shirt I could get my hands on, and later on, ALL the DVDs, and finally, INCREDIBLY inflated prices to see your shows multiple times (I know, that was my choice, you’re right).  And now you want to tell me that it just wasn’t good enough?  

Now you’re epically successful and you are going to burn the very people who have been giving you that great life.  When I first met you, I admired the business sense you had and decisions that you made.  Really smart.  I was in awe of your perseverance. Drive and passion, it’s what made you, YOU!  That business sense coupled with your drive as a band I thought FOR SURE would put you in position to really change the paradigm of the music industry.  

You ALWAYS had your finger on the pulse.  I am disappointed that you haven’t been forward-thinking enough to get ahead of the 8-ball when you saw the writing on the wall that the music industry was changing.  You are in a great position to lead the way but instead, continue on with an outdated model.  You have been a MASTER of change, constantly reinventing yourselves time and time again; it’s what makes it all exciting.  Hey, we all get older and we all grow up and wind up in a different place as a result and that’s cool, that’s expected.  I just want to grow old with you.  I just can’t bear the thought of divorce after what…29 years?

And now…the latest is that there has been a show declared as “sold out” moments after they had gone on sale and lo and behold, Live Nation comes sweeping in with MORE tickets available and they’re “good seats”!  Do you know what this does to me?  

I panic every time there’s a sale and struggle with computer issues only to find that I can’t get ANY number of seats together for my friends and me!  I’ve spent HUNDREDS of dollars because suddenly all the affordable seats are gone AND to make matters worse, more tickets get released and they’re BETTER and they’re reasonably priced!  Didn’t you know Springsteen just got bagged with this tactic?  And don’t sit there and tell me you didn’t know.  You are making it possible for “casual fans” who don’t know anything about you outside The Joshua Tree, to attend a show and forget you the next week.  You have shaken the fans that have supported you and loved you unconditionally.  It’s hard for me.

I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to get so vehement.  It’s just *sobbing* you’re breaking my heart!  I know that I can make a choice here and turn and walk away, never to look back but the songs will haunt me; I can never give up the music.  I need more time.  Give it more time.  I can’t bear the thought of losing you.  Let’s work it out.

 

I love you,

 

Nikki xoxoxoxo (share them, please)

U2 Ticket Alert: Zurich

The second Zurich 360° show will take place on September 12th at Letzigrund Stadium and tickets go on public sale this Friday, February 5th. A presale for U2.com subscribers takes place tomorrow and Wednesday.

Subscribers have receive presale details on email. Here’s the dates and onsales of 2010 shows and here’s the presale times for our different subscriber groups. (Check what subscriber group you’re in by logging in.)

Horizon/Breathe - Presale Opens 10pm Feb 2nd
Boots/Magnificent - Presale Opens 10am Feb 3rd
(all times local)

 

FYI if your an iTunes App Subscriber you always have the most current tour dates on your iphone/iTouch

Or you can always check out Ticket Masters Reseller Group - Most likely a good option for tickets -

 

U2 tickets at TicketsNow

 

 

Bono Joining "We Are World" Remake

 

Just as George Clooney used the Golden Globes as recruiting grounds for his Haiti telethon, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones did the same with Grammys for their “We Are the World” remake.

The veterans of the original 1985 charity single spent the festivities stocking up on music stars to perform on the new rendition, to be recorded Monday in Los Angeles.

Bono and Lady Gaga are among the latest on board for the Haiti-helping tune, joining the likes of Usher, Jason Mraz, Akon, Jennifer Hudson, Carlos Santana, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton. There could be as many as 100 singers on the new rendition. “It’s like the biggest honor in life to get a call from our father in music, Quincy Jones,” RedOne, who will help produce, told E! News backstage.

Tonight’s Grammys also featured a special Mary J. Blige-Andrea Bocelli duet of “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” The song will be available for download on iTunes with proceeds going to earthquake relief.

Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie are planning a massive 25th anniversary re-recording of “We Are the World.”

The timing couldn’t be better, sadly enough.

The duo is summoning lots and lots of talent from Grammy weekend to stay an extra night — Monday Feb. 1 — and come to the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles. There, they will celebrate a quarter century since Ken Kragen, Richie and Michael Jackson organized the original “We Are the World” with Jones.

This time the artists invited include Usher, Natalie Cole, and John Legend. But you can bet that more names will be added shortly and that all the Grammy nominees and participants will be asked to come as well. Grammy producer Ken Ehrlich will produce the event, which will then be turned into a video and single just like it was in 1985. Don’t be surprised if Wyclef Jean joins in, along with Sting, Fergie, Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and other distinctive voices.

Originally, this anniversary celebration was to be held on Jan. 28. But when the Haiti earthquake happened, sources say, the whole deal changed. Now proceeds will go to Haiti relief. In 1985, “We Are the World,” which begat Live Aid, raised money for Africa relief.

Wide Reports on E!, Village Voice,Grammy News, LA Times,