U2 France

by Chrissy Iley

Bono can hold the undivided attention of a sold-out stadium. When he works a much smaller space, say in the White House, Downing Street or the Vatican, he rules that room with those who rule the world. When he put his sunglasses on the Pope, that picture became iconic because of his glasses, not because of the pontiff. How? Why? His father told him never to have dreams because he didn’t want him to be disappointed, which encouraged him to dream even bigger. But that’s only part of the long answer.

Contrariness, caring deeply, ridiculousness, egomania, it’s all there. There’s never been a rock star who wielded so much power. There’s nobody in power who doesn’t take his call. During the writing of this piece, there’s nobody in power who doesn’t return my call within 24 hours. Few people say no to Bono, whether it’s Blair, Clinton, Bush. And Bono didn’t say no to Obama when he asked U2 to play at his inauguration concert.

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