BONO CRIED OVER COHEN

[Mollydog]

From contactmusic.com.
http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/st ... en_1128013

BONO CRIED OVER COHEN

U2 frontman Bono has revealed he cried when he went to a Leonard Cohen show because he was so inspired by the 75-year-old musician's songs.



Bono cried when he went to a Leonard Cohen show.

The U2 frontman found himself in tears when he watched the 75-year-old folk singer in Monte Carlo because he was amazed by his talent.

Bono, 49, said: "I had an epiphany last year. I went to see Leonard Cohen in Monte Carlo. At one point I found myself with tears running down my face. I realised that all my favourite songs he wrote in his 50s and 60s. To me, that was a throw down."

After having his creative fires lit by the 'Hallelujah' songwriter, Bono is desperate to start working on U2's next album, rumoured to be entitled 'Songs Of Ascent'.

He added to Q magazine: "We've been listening to material for 'Songs Of Ascent'. We haven't fully decided to press 'go' on that. But we're touring at the end of May and it'd be nice to have some new songs."

08 January 2010 05:03:44 PM

[LisaLCFan]

Isn't that just like Bono to make a Leonard Cohen concert all about him! (And, his favourite songs don't include anything from Leonard's first six albums? What a shame!) (Sorry, but I think that Bono is a big wind-bag!)

[astranger]

as he should , he knows where he stands in the tower of song

[Mollydog]

When I posted this I suspected that there might not be much sympathy for Bono!

[bruinsy19]

I love U2 and they all love and respect LC.Bono expresses admiration for LC yet he is attacked???

[cohenfreek]

Isn't that just like Bono to make a Leonard Cohen concert all about him! (And, his favourite songs don't include anything from Leonard's first six albums? What a shame!) (Sorry, but I think that Bono is a big wind-bag!)

I agree; and, is it just me, or is U2 extremely overrated???? NOTHING from, for example, "Songs of Leonard Cohen" and "Songs of Love and Hate", among Bono's favourites? Ouch. To me, all biases aside, these two Cohen releases are among my favourites of all-times. I think Bono is one of those guys who should really think before he speaks....

[friscogrl]

Hasn't EVERYBODY cried at least once listening to Leonard?

M

[astranger]

Bono is easily caricatured, and I love U2 (definitely more than a die-hard fan, just like i am with Leonard, strange combination, perhaps) but yeah, I'm sure Bono was moved just like anybody else would be. I don't think Bono was saying he only likes the songs that LC wrote in his 50's and 60's, but was just struck that he was doing such good work at that stage in his life, and I'm sure Bono would hope to write something half as good as Leonard, as Bono approaches his 50th birthday.

[LisaLCFan]

I'm sorry if I offended any U2/Bono fans. My new-year's resolution was to avoid writing snarky comments on the forum, but I have failed.

[astranger]

I'm sorry if I offended any U2/Bono fans. My new-year's resolution was to avoid writing snarky comments on the forum, but I have failed.

no offense I love Bono but I also understand how annoying he can be! It was actually their presence in the I'm Your Man documentary that led me to watching it. After watching that, I said, move over boys!

[dalsh327]

Cohen is also a reminder to Bono that he is still just a journeyman, and that U2 still have a lot of work to do. Which can be good or bad, but if they're going to have staying power, he's going to have to give up the arena shows. Bono and Edge were a good interview on Elvis Costello's "Spectacle", which would be a GREAT place for Cohen to take part in. Elton John is the exec producer of the show, which doesn't hurt.

[jglBB]

I caught an interview with Quebec singer Garou on the Quebec french channel TVA a couple of weeks ago. Apparently, he was at the same Monte-Carlo concert than Bono and sitted not too far. At intermission, Bono declared that he wanted to go backstage and shake hand with Leonard. He went, asked for and was answered with a polite but firm "NO". Maybe this the true reason of Bono's tears.

[sturgess66]

Thanks for the laugh jglBB. Glad Leonard stuck with his discipline.

I guess Elton didn't get backstage either. Maybe Sir Elton tried first - and then Bono. And the response was "Not U2!!"

[MaryB]

I guess Elton didn't get backstage either. Maybe Sir Elton tried first - and then Bono. And the response was "Not U2!!"

[dalsh327]

Some people prefer specific eras, no different than Joni Mitchell or Tom Waits as far as specific eras go. Bob Dylan is a good example of someone that people love a specific era of, because if you say "Dylan 64" and "Dylan 66", it's like talking about 2 different people. How many "Dylans" were in "I'm Not There", 6?

Isn't that just like Bono to make a Leonard Cohen concert all about him! (And, his favourite songs don't include anything from Leonard's first six albums? What a shame!) (Sorry, but I think that Bono is a big wind-bag!)

I agree; and, is it just me, or is U2 extremely overrated???? NOTHING from, for example, "Songs of Leonard Cohen" and "Songs of Love and Hate", among Bono's favourites? Ouch. To me, all biases aside, these two Cohen releases are among my favourites of all-times. I think Bono is one of those guys who should really think before he speaks....