Happy 60th 2U
Rock icon Bono marks birthday amid lockdown
U2 frontman Bono celebrates his 60th birthday today marking more than four decades in showbiz.
The Dubliner is now a global superstar but has been spending his time in lockdown doing the hoovering and making beds, like everyone else.
Unlike most people, however Bono, aka Paul Hewson, led a mission to donate €10million in personal protective equipment for healthcare staff fighting Covid-19.
The U2 legend was born in Dublin to a Catholic father and Protestant mother who died when he was just 14 from a brain haemorrhage while attending her own father’s funeral.
It’s believed his friend Gavin Friday gave him the nickname Bono which was a shortened version of Bono Vox, an alternative of Bona Vox – Latin for good voice.
The singer didn’t originally like the name but when he found out what it meant, he soon accepted it.
In 1977, along with school friends from Mount Temple Comprehensive, David Evans (The Edge), Larry Mullen Jr and Adam Clayton he formed U2.
They were already a major international act with eye-catching performances such as their show stealing set at Live Aid in 1985. But the release of The Joshua Tree in 1987 saw them become the biggest band in the world. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb brought more critical acclaim and singles Vertigo and Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own won the band Grammies. But Bono is also known for his charity work and has been involved in humanitarian efforts in Africa and co-founded various organisations including the ONE Campaign and Product Red.
For his philanthropic works he became the first musician to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and was conferred an honorary knighthood.
He’s been married to Ali Hewson since 1982 and the couple have four children.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on RTE Radio 1 after turning 60 this week, Bono said he’s happy to be taking some time out from touring.
He said: “Gratefully I’m at home and so are the rest of the band.
“We’ve been touring a lot for the last few years and it’s time to give our audience a break. And it’s come at the right time.” Happy Birthday Bono!
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