Bono

"As a rock star, i have 2 instincts. I want to have fun, and i want to change the world. I have a chance to do both."

Paul Hewson

• Singer, poet, activist, believer
• Latin term ‘Bono Vox’ meaning “good voice”
• May 10, 1960 in Dublin, Ireland
• Frontman of U2
• Promotes charity, peace, environment, acceptance

Influences

• Father, Bobby Hewson was catholic
• Mother, Iris, was protestant
• Never fully initiated into either
• Fueled his understanding of difference
• Death of his mother at age 14

"Because i was suspicious of the traditional Christian church, I tended to tar them all with the same brush. That was a mistake, because there are righteous people working in a whole rainbow of belief systems - from Hasidic Jews to right-wing Bible Belters to charismatic Catholics."

U2

• Began October 1976
• High school band advertised on bulletin
• Bono couldn't sing- given frontman stage presence
• Album 'War' was a breakthrough
• 1987 "Joshua Tree", they had a claim to fame

A Family Man

• Married sweetheart, Alison Steward 1982
• Daughters Jordan and Memphis Eve
• Sons Elijah and John Abraham
• A healthy balance between family and job
• Shows people the value of family

Fights for:

• Peace and harmony
• The Evironment
• Conflict and war
• Bullying, racism, sexism

His Music

• Uses his fame to preach his beliefs
• Selflessly uses fame
• Delivers powerful meaning through songs
• 'Pride (in the name of love)' civil rights of 50's-60's
• Martin Luther King's assassination/what he fought for

'Early Morning,
April 4,
Shot rings out in the Memphis Sky,
Free at last,
they took your life,
they could not take your pride.'

Social Activism, charity, social projects

• Appeared at debates/protests on racisms, sexism, inhumanity
• Performing at chairty events
• Praying and delivering speeches on stage
• Traveled to 3rd world countries to work one on one
• Met with popes and presidents to discuss difference

"You see, Africa makes a fool of our idea of justice. It makes a farce of our idea of equality. It mocks our pieties. It doubts our concern. It questions our commitment. Because there is no way we can look at what's happening in Africa, and if we're honest, conclude that it would ever be allowed to happen anywhere else."