A Modern Day Hero

A Modern Day Hero “All you need is three chords( 和弦 ), the truth, and the rest is up to you.”

Paul Hewson (aka. Bono) Born May 10th 1960, in Dublin, Ireland to Catholic father and Protestant mother  Lead singer/songwriter for Mega group U2  Enduring Rock Icon  Poet, Social Activist, Believer, and Icon of Hope  Co-founder of DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) & Jubilee 2000  Nicknames/Alter-Egos: Alton Dalton, The Mother Teresa of Abandoned Songs, The Sonic Leprechaun, The Fly, Mirror ball Man, Mister MacPhisto

Bono married Alison Stewart in They have two daughters, Jordan and Eve, and two sons, Elijah, and John Abraham (who was born during U2’s 2001 Elevation tour. In 1985 the two traveled to Ethiopia for several weeks helping with an education and famine relief project.

Bono in addition to supporting numerous civil and human rights organizations; Has orchestrated the most extensive social campaign, Jubilee In which he met with such key leaders as Pope John Paul, President Clinton, and spoke before the United Nations and United States Congress. Has orchestrated the most extensive social campaign, Jubilee In which he met with such key leaders as Pope John Paul, President Clinton, and spoke before the United Nations and United States Congress. In 2002 Bono founded DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) a nonprofit, debt-relief advocacy group, and started the ONE campaign.

Bono with U.N. peace-keeping forces, Sarajevo, September 1997 Working together with peace-keepers, Bono arranged to give a U2 charity concert in war-torn Sarajevo and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the G8 summit in Genoa, Italy.

Bono with Pope John Paul II, Vatican City, September 1999 Together Bono and the Pontiff have worked tirelessly to erase Third-World debt. Bono currently wears a blessed rosary( 玫瑰经 ) given to him by Pope John Paul. He received it in a trade they made for his trademark Rap-around sunglasses.

Bono with the U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan, Millennium Summit September 2000

Bono with former U.S. President Bill Clinton in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Washington D.C., October 2000

Both during President Clinton’s time in office and afterward Bono has worked closely with President Clinton to advocate debt relief in poor and third world countries.

George Bush Salutes “Whitehouse Pest” In March 2002, George Bush saluted Bono in a speech for his willingness “to lead and achieve what his heart tells him, and that is nobody - nobody - should be living in poverty and hopelessness in the world”. In March 2002, George Bush saluted Bono in a speech for his willingness “to lead and achieve what his heart tells him, and that is nobody - nobody - should be living in poverty and hopelessness in the world”.

“I’m bipartisan( 代表两党 ), there, I’ve come out and said it.” Bono

Bono (2nd L) with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neil (L), Microsoft chairman Bill Gates (2nd R) and other global leaders during a panel discussion at the World Economic Forum, New York City, February 2002

U2’s music has raised awareness of many cultural heroes including Martin Luther King, Desmond Tutu, & Nelson Mandela Bono appeared on Band Aid’s charity recording “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” 1985 U2 performs a highly emotional and historical performance at Live Aid 1986 U2 headlines Amnesty International’s Conspiracy of Hope Tour

Bono with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum, New York City, February 2002 Bono with Microsoft chairman Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum, New York City, February 2002 Bono met with Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum to discuss the need for foreign aid.

At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, he sat on a dais with Bill Gates and discussed ways to save a continent; two days later he sang for a TV audience of 130 million at the Super Bowl half-time show At the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum, he sat on a dais with Bill Gates and discussed ways to save a continent; two days later he sang for a TV audience of 130 million at the Super Bowl half-time show

Self-Proclaimed “Naughty Pop Star”

“U2 is about the impossible. Politics is the art of the possible. They’re very different, and I’m resigned to that now.” Bono Bono

U2 is “The Rock & Roll super group” U2 has recorded 16 albums & has released 7 videos They have written over 200 songs/recordings U2’s career has lasted over 25 years!

Few icons in the history of rock & roll have created and performed their art with the consciousness and passion of Bono. With occasional help from guitarist the Edge, Bono has penned all of U2's lyrics, often favoring unconventional subject matter over the typical rock & roll fare of love and sex. His material has ranged from the turmoil of adolescence, to politics, to religion.

Icon of Hope

Who are some other cultural heroes that have affected the way we think, live and move?