A New Chapter for Bono: More Stories to Share

Near the conclusion of our initial afternoon together, Bono mentioned the renowned Irish poet W. B. Yeats’ nearby burial site. It was early April, and the U2 frontman guided me towards my vehicle along the driveway of his French Riviera vacation home. The Mediterranean Sea stretched before us, an endless expanse of blue. His expansive property, featuring several houses and pools, felt secluded despite its proximity to Monaco and Cannes. Bono is not the first Irishman to exchange his homeland’s damp climate for the sun-drenched Côte d’Azur, but he may have perfected the transition.

Bono shares the estate with his bandmate, the Edge. During a vacation in the early 1990s, they spotted the grounds while driving by and decided to investigate. The other band members, drummer Larry Mullen and bassist Adam Clayton, declined to leave the car. They believed maintaining such a property would be too demanding. However, the lead singer and guitarist indulged in the purchase. U2 was then celebrating a decade of phenomenal success, evolving from a promising post-punk group to a stadium-filling rock act, having sold over 70 million albums. This success allowed them to afford such a lavish purchase.

Maintaining the property has indeed demanded significant effort. Additional buildings have been constructed to accommodate their growing families. On my visit, one structure was shrouded in scaffolding, and one pool was drained—preparations for the summer season. This idyllic retreat, however, has provided more to Bono and his band than it has taken away.

Several days later, Bono remarked, “This place saved our musical lives,” while seated in one of the living rooms. The space was elegant yet relaxed, furnished with comfortable seating, expansive windows overlooking the ocean, a piano in the corner, and a large fireplace. Despite the surroundings, Bono’s attire remained consistent with his Dublin rock star style—black jeans, a black V-neck T-shirt, and an army-green jacket, contrasting with his neighbors’ linen skirts and pastel vacation attire.

The decade preceding the purchase of their summer home was exhilarating yet exhausting. Bono described the process of becoming a globally renowned band as “pushing a rock uphill.” The pressure affected the band, transforming them into serious musical artists before they had learned to appreciate their success. He reflected, “We were slow to grasp the rhythm.”

The acquisition of the French estate may have indeed revitalized their music. Subsequent critically acclaimed albums, including 2000’s *All That You Can’t Leave Behind* and 2004’s *How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb*, followed. (Readers can form their own opinions on 1997’s *Pop*, a more divisive album in their discography; I personally enjoyed it). However, extended conversations with Bono revealed that he discovered something more profound in the South of France—a counterbalance to a specific aspect of his personality; the one that relentlessly pursued global music venues, awards, and creative boundaries for over four decades; the one involved in establishing mission-driven organizations such as ONE, (RED), and DATA.

Bono acknowledged that complete anonymity was unattainable in the region, but he observed that the French people’s respectful nature allowed for a degree of privacy.

After thirteen years of intense dedication to their careers, Bono finally learned the importance of relaxation. He embraced leisurely lunches, late nights, quality family time, and social gatherings. He thrived, rediscovering a lightness within himself. Reflecting on this period, he conceded that he might have overdone it. He questioned his self-love and self-indulgence but ultimately expressed gratitude for the experience.

His family visits regularly, primarily during the summer months, due to school, work, and other commitments. Bono enjoys these occasions, appreciating the lively atmosphere that fills the house. He and his wife, Ali, have four children ranging in age from twenty-three to thirty-five. The Edge has five, some of whom have added grandchildren to the mix. When asked what the Edge’s grandchildren call him, Bono responded, “Bono,” adding that it’s not unusual considering the Edge’s mother’s use of his stage name.

He frequently spends time at the home alone, jokingly describing his lifestyle as “working like a dog, living like a shih tzu.”

This week was no exception; however, he welcomed me to discuss his new film, *Bono: Stories of Surrender*. Filmed during his solo stage show, spanning late 2022 to early 2023, this film serves as a poignant and vulnerable adaptation of his memoir. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival before its release on Apple TV+ and Vision Pro. Dismissing any notion that the project is simply a nostalgia-fueled money grab, the film offers a deeper understanding of Bono’s life journey.

The past few years have been a period of recovery and reflection for Bono, who recently celebrated his sixty-fifth birthday. He overcame a significant health crisis, developing a more balanced approach to life’s joys. He confronted childhood experiences that shaped his career and reevaluated his involvement in non-profit endeavors. He embarked on a period of introspection, emerging a changed and improved individual.

Despite his Mediterranean-based introspection, Bono’s inactivity is short-lived. The relentless drive that has fueled U2 for almost fifty years remains strong. Similar to his early experiences in the South of France, he feels renewed energy. U2 is currently recording new songs—possibly their first album of new material in a decade—and his enthusiasm is evident. Bono, clearly, has more stories to tell, and he believes the world needs to hear them.

The evolution of his one-man show into a multimedia project was unplanned. Apple Studios approached him with a filming proposal after the performance dates were set. Collaboration between the lead singer and the tech giant led to the development of two film versions: one featuring primarily live show footage and an immersive version for Vision Pro, incorporating Bono’s illustrations. Director Andrew Dominik joined the project, resulting in a demanding production schedule.

As a member of U2, where decision-making and revenue sharing are equally distributed, Bono has spent much of his life navigating creative disagreements. However, Dominik pushed Bono in unexpected ways, prompting him to confront the emotional scars left by his mother’s death and his complex relationship with his father. The impact transcended the film itself, liberating him from decades of suppressed emotions.

Bono recounted a specific instance during rehearsals where he was portraying both himself and his father, Bob Hewson, during his father’s final moments. Despite his emotional performance, the director insisted on authenticity, stating that he was “acting.” This feedback prompted Bono to reconsider his approach, leading to a more genuine depiction.

When asked about his feelings regarding the film’s release, Bono admitted to feeling nauseous and frustrated with his portrayal in the movie. The origin story of U2 has become a significant part of their mythology. In 1976, fourteen-year-old Larry Mullen Jr. posted a flyer at Mount Temple, his Dublin high school, seeking musicians for a band. Paul Hewson, David Evans (the Edge), and Adam Clayton responded to the ad.

Hewson, who later adopted the name Bono, was still grappling with the loss of his mother two years earlier. His childhood friend, Gavin Friday, recalled Hewson’s isolation and the significance of their close friendship. Bono’s father, Bob, had become more involved in socializing following the death of his wife, Iris. Bono’s older brother, Norman, was leading a more independent life. Bono found himself alone and isolated.

Bono’s charm and resilience helped him cope during the following years. Friday shared an anecdote about Bono’s visits to several families in their neighborhood, illustrating his resourcefulness and social skills. Friday emphasized Bono’s remarkable survival skills, highlighting the challenges of his early life.

Bono’s relationship with his father, Bob, was strained. He felt overlooked and hurt by his father’s comments. This ignited a desire to achieve great success, to become so prominent that even his father could not ignore him.

While his band’s significant achievements are undeniable—selling 175 million records and winning twenty-two Grammys—his personal relationship with his father remained complex. Friday recounted a story about Bob’s reaction to U2’s performance at Joshua Tree, where he expressed pride yet withheld open acknowledgment.

After Bob’s death in 2001, Bono felt unresolved anger. However, his wife suggested that his anger stemmed from blaming Bob for his mother’s death. This new perspective prompted Bono to seek forgiveness from his father at a small chapel near his French home. The experience initiated a process of healing.

Writing his memoir was beneficial; however, the stage show proved to be a particularly therapeutic outlet. Performing his father’s lines, previously sources of pain, generated laughter from the audience, allowing him to appreciate his father’s humor.

This process also facilitated self-reflection. Bono acknowledged his own lack of humor in the past and considered how his father’s sense of social justice influenced him.

He started to recognize that his fervent desire to improve the world was partly influenced by his father. This realization enhanced Bono’s understanding and appreciation of his father.

Bono’s public image is complex. He has always been a polarizing figure, dividing audiences since U2’s third album, *War*, which explored the impact of political violence on their youth. “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” addressing the 1972 Derry shootings, propelled the album to the top of the UK charts and established a theme for their future work.

During the creation of their first two albums, *Boy* and *October*, Bono, the Edge, and Larry Mullen Jr. grappled with their faith as members of a Christian fundamentalist church, Shalom. The conflict between religious beliefs and the rock and roll lifestyle created internal turmoil, leading them to infuse their music with purpose.

However, their commitment to meaningful music has drawn criticism. Their sincerity, bordering on earnestness, has sometimes been perceived as sanctimonious. They have openly aimed to use their platform for social change, addressing political conflicts, international relations, and justice. Their actions have occasionally been provocative.

Their relationship with their homeland has been equally complex. Having grown up during the Troubles, U2 initially advocated for peace, promoting non-violent protest and opposing groups that supported violence in Ireland. Bono mentioned that their history continues to affect people’s perception of the band.

Controversies, such as accusations of tax avoidance and the controversial iTunes gifting of *Songs of Innocence*, have further complicated their image. Bono however, maintains his actions were within legal boundaries, and he takes full responsibility for his decisions. The unexpected backlash caused by the iTunes incident caught him by surprise.

Jimmy Iovine, a record label executive and Apple Music executive, described Bono as honest and accountable. He first encountered U2 in the mid-1980s, before their American breakthrough, and actively pursued their collaboration.

Bono’s repeated mention of both adoration and criticism directed towards U2 suggests that he possibly finds amusement in the band’s polarizing nature. He sees it as part of their journey.

In 2016, Bono underwent open-heart surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City to address an aortic aneurysm. Post-surgery complications, including difficulty breathing, presented a major challenge. Despite recommendations to cancel tour dates, Bono persisted, altering his performance style. He stood still, and paradoxically, this adjustment improved his vocal performance, highlighting a reliance on shouting during past performances.

In his subsequent years, he has thrived. Feeling renewed in his seventh decade, he is excited about the prospect of creating new music. His partnership with the Edge remains central to his creative process. He reflected on the important line from *All That You Can’t Leave Behind*: “I’m not afraid of anything in this world / There’s nothing you can throw at me that I haven’t already heard,” which he sees as a reflection on male vulnerability.

Bono openly admits that he prefers live performances to recording sessions. In the current dynamic music industry, his measure of success is whether a project provides sufficient incentive for touring.

He acknowledges the band’s demanding history with their fanbase but remains hopeful for continued support. He aims to create a soundtrack for those who are actively engaged in shaping the world.

Bono founded ONE in 2004 and (RED) in 2006. These organizations represent a significant commitment, yet in late 2023, he stepped down from their shared board to promote a new generation of activists. He recognized the need to step back, acknowledging that his background might not be as relevant to current global issues.

He acknowledges a messianic complex that many rock stars share, but his actions are also rooted in a particular moment in history. He is critical of the lack of support for global aid programs under the Trump administration. He describes the experience as “the most unbelievable carnage imaginable.”

While collaborating with various administrations, Bono faced criticism from the left. He maintains he doesn’t care, pointing to the significant impact of PEPFAR, the largest single-issue health intervention in US history. He identifies as a “radical centrist,” believing this approach is essential for navigating the future.

The Trump administration initially challenged his resolve, prompting him to question his belief in the inherent progression of justice. He now believes that active effort is required, yet he admits uncertainty about how to proceed.

Bono has long advocated for globalization, viewing its integration as essential to global improvement. He witnessed its beneficial impact on Ireland and Africa. However, he is concerned by the rise of nationalism, describing it as a violent setback.

He expresses particular concern about the direction of the United States, particularly the lack of support for international aid. He understands the reasoning behind such sentiments, but he finds it fundamentally misguided. He is deeply disturbed by the seeming delight in the dismantling of life-support systems around the world.

Bono identifies several sources of hope: the potential for unity within Europe, a belief that Americans will act appropriately if given the facts, and a belief in the liberating and creative nature of freedom.

Bono frequently brings his conversations back to the importance of finding harmony in life, mirroring Jeff Bridges’ perspective as shared in a Guardian interview.

Bono’s reflections on Central Park’s role in his life lead to broader discussions on spirituality, referencing Franciscan ideas and Pope Francis’ encyclical, Laudato si’. He emphasizes the significance of appreciating the natural world. He acknowledges the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective, recognizing that a tree can simply be a tree, without necessarily carrying deeper symbolic meaning.

He credits his wife, Ali, for her wisdom and guidance. He also recalls the advice from Chrissie Hynde to live a long and fulfilling life. Bono radiates joy when discussing his children. He emphasizes the importance of balancing his career with family life.

Bono and Ali chose to raise their children in Dublin, choosing a free, nondenominational school. After a brief experience at a prestigious New York school, their children preferred the less intense academic environment of their Dublin school.

They appreciate that life in Dublin doesn’t revolve around their celebrity. They value the lack of pressure associated with wealth and the cultural acceptance of critique, even self-critique. Gavin Friday notes the Irish tendency for self-deprecation.

When the family is together, Bono observes the personalities of his children, highlighting their individual strengths. Ali serves as a grounding influence for the family.

Bono’s chance encounter with Ali the same week he met U2 continues to amaze him. He expresses immense pride in his children’s achievements and acknowledges the sacrifices he made that took him away from his family. He notes that a common thread amongst his children is a desire to make a difference.

The question of whether Bono’s relentless drive is inherent to his nature hangs in the air. He acknowledges that he wouldn’t want to trade his drive but recognizes that his children have found healthy balance between ambition and personal well-being. Bono however, continues to lack this “off switch.”

Bono mentions a new U2 song, “Freedom Is a Feeling,” which serves as both a reflection on and a product of his current creative pursuits. The band is actively recording new music. He shares his desire to not just sing about freedom but embody the feeling in their music.

While his idealistic statements may elicit skepticism, U2 has a unique ability to evoke strong emotional responses in their audience. A new U2 album is anticipated, following a period of individual reflection within the band. Bono expresses optimism about the new material, emphasizing the band’s unity and his excitement about the future.

They are collaborating again with Brian Eno, the super-producer behind some of their most renowned albums. Bono is driven by a desire to return to the essentials of their music, acknowledging that his musical journey is far from over.

The band’s decision-making is focused on creating music that warrants touring. Bono looks forward to connecting with their audience and providing them with a soundtrack for their lives. U2 frequently concludes their shows with “40,” a song that reflects on longevity and the ongoing nature of their musical journey.

In the opening photo: Jacket by Dries Van Noten. Sunglasses and jewelry, Bono’s own.

In the cover image: Coat, trousers, and pin by Ferragamo; T-shirt by Dries Van Noten; sunglasses, shoes and jewelry, Bono’s own.