Some of their rock and roll peers might prefer to forget the voluminous hairstyles and garish outfits they wore during the Eighties, but Irish chart veterans U2 obviously aren't afraid to laugh at themselves. Frontman Bono playfully peered out from behind a giant photograph of himself and his bandmates looking distinctly dated when the indefatigable foursome launched a new book in their hometown of Dublin.
Over the course of their 30-year career Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton, The Edge and Bono have been the subject of numerous tomes, but they apparently decided it was time to collaborate on a work of their own. U2byU2, which includes over 1,500 photographs, tells the story of how four schoolmates from a working class neighbourhood of the Irish capital went on to become the world's biggest rock act.
And there was no disguising the affection in which they are held by the other residents of the city, as over 1,000 eager fans braved rainy weather in the hope of getting a chance to say 'hello' to their idols. "This year we thought it was time to take a deep breath, accept we've done some interesting stuff, wrap it up in a bow and put it out there," said the band's singer, whose real name is Paul Hewson.
When asked about his high-profile anti-poverty work, the 46-year-old's famously wry sense of humour came into play. "What else am I going to do with this rather ridiculous thing called celebrity?" he quipped. "The activism I do because I can, and I should… Hopefully we'll put ourselves out of a job - then pop stars and sports stars and rock stars can stay in bed like they'd really like to."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
