U2/Bono asked for Russia's help in fighting AIDS

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev welcomed U2 frontman Bono to tea on Tuesday ahead of the group’s first ever Russian concert, and the Irish musician asked for Russia’s help in fighting AIDS.”Taking care of people is not just what politicians do,” self-proclaimed rock music lover Medvedev told Bono, adding that U2’s music has united generations of people.Their meeting on the sun-drenched veranda of Medvedev’s summer residence on the Black Sea comes a day before U2 take to the Moscow stage for their first ever performance in Russia.Earlier this month in Italy, U2 resumed their 360 Degree Tour following a two-month absence while Bono recovered from a back injury.

Bono, sporting his trademark sunglasses and single earring, asked Medvedev to find a Russian firm to team up for his “Red” campaign, which raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.Brands Nike, Microsoft, Apple and Starbucks have sold red products and donated part of the proceeds to the charity.

“Maybe you can find a Russian company, a Red Russian company, it’s your color,” Bono told Medvedev, an apparent reference to the red flags and stars used by the Soviet Union.Medvedev said he would think how Russia, which experts say has at least one million people infected with HIV, could contribute to the Red brand.

The two men also shared jokes about their tastes in music, with Bono declaring: “I come here to cross the great divide between me, a Led Zeppelin fan, and you, the Deep Purple fan.”Medvedev, who has made much fuss of his devotion to the veteran British hard rock group, chuckled but replied in English that he also counted Led Zeppelin amongst his favorites.

Bono later said in a statement that he and the Kremlin chief had also discussed corruption as a means to ending poverty.Since coming to office two years ago, Medvedev has vowed repeatedly to tackle Russia’s endemic corruption, though analysts say they have seen very little change so far.(Reuters Life!)

U2 have rescheduled the dates for the North American leg of their 360 tour for Spring/Summer 2011

Irish rock band U2 have rescheduled the dates for the North American leg of their 360 tour for Spring/Summer 2011 with all tickets valid for the new performance dates, their concert promoter said Tuesday.The North American leg will kick off on May 21 next year at Invesco Field in Denver and end on July 23, 2011 in Minneapolis, music concert company Live Nation Entertainment said. The 2010 European tour will begin on time on August 6, 2010 in Turin.The North American tour dates were canceled and U2 missed a date with Glastonbury music festival after frontman Bono underwent emergency surgery on his back in May.”Following Bono’s recovery from recent back surgery, U2 are now readying themselves for the opening of their European Tour,” Live Nation said in a statement.

It said band members Adam, Larry, Edge and Bono have filmed a message for everyone at Web site u2.com on the eve of their return to say: “Thank you for standing by us.”U2 manager Paul McGuinness also thanked the band’s fans for their ongoing support.”We’re delighted the dates are rescheduled and in all the same venues we originally planned to play,” he said in the statement. “Above all we want to thank the U2 fans for bearing with us. They’re the best and the band wants to get back to where they belong, surrounded by their audience.”With hits like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Where the Streets Have No Name,” U2 are one of the world’s biggest bands and have sold over 150 million records, according to unofficial estimates.The 50-year-old singer’s injury was a blow to the band and the millions of fans who were hoping to see U2 this year on the second leg of their world U2 360 Tour.

It was also expected to hit music concert company Live Nation, which signed a 12-year deal to handle merchandising, digital and branding rights as well as touring.The 2009 part of the tour helped the band earn $109 million last year, according to music journal Billboard.The 360 tour, so-called because fans surround a giant circular platform, was predicted to become the highest-grossing tour in history.(Reuters)

bono The U2 rocker who is worth an estimated £400 million

The U2 rocker who is worth an estimated £400 million – says he devotes so much of his time to charitable projects because he believes he has more money than he deserves to have.Speaking at the launch of Nike’s Lace Up. Save Lives campaign, which raises money for HIV charity (Red) with Chelsea soccer star Didier Drogba, he said: ‘Theseguys are very wealthy. I am very well paid, overpaid and even over-rewarded for what I do. But a lot of these soccer guys are giving something back and they don’t need to do that.Meanwhile, Bono admits he and his bandmates are ‘delighted and humbled’ to have been asked to headline next year’s Glastonbury Festival, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.He said: “Everyone in the band is very excited about it. I think it will just be about the music on that day, and that spirit that seems to take over everybody in that sacred ground.”We’ll certainly be well-rehearsed, we’ll be coming straight from the North American tour.”U2’s appearance at Glastonbury marks their first festival show in 25 years and it will be the first time the group have performed at the world famous music event.