Bono in Central America, 1986
August 30th, 2007
I’m really trying to nail down some dates and information about Bono’s trip(s) to Central America in 1986.
Actually, the first thing I don’t know is whether he made one trip there or more. I always assumed he went to El Salvador and Nicaragua on the same trip. But in Michka Assayas’ book, Michka asks, “But before that expedition in El Salvador, you visited Nicaragua….” So, is he saying they were separate trips? Or is he saying it was one trip, but that Nicaragua came first?
That’s one issue.
On the bright side, there’s this: In the answer to Michka’s question, Bono says he listened to Daniel Ortega speak on Revolution Day. Thankfully, there’s a web page that lists Holidays and Festivals in Nicaragua, and that tells me Revolution Day is celebrated on July 19th.
I do believe Bono made that trip to Central America in July, 1986. So it fits. Sweet!
I don’t really expect any readers to have answers on the “one-trip-or-two” question from above. Just posting it here for my own logic/thought processing, and perhaps to share some background on how difficult some of the research is for this book. In fact, I’m gonna file this in the “Researching” category instead of “Call for Help.”
This book is like a giant puzzle, except you don’t know how many pieces are in it, and you’re pretty sure many of the pieces are lost and never to be found. 
5 comments on “Bono in Central America, 1986”
01
Hi Matt,
I read somewhere that Rene Castro, the chilean designer of the Love Town tour stage was guiding Bono during that trip to CentroAmerica. If I’m not wrong there is an interview with him in a Propaganda issue.It might add some light. Regards. Xavi
02
Awww, that last sentence really makes me feel your frustration: few things irk me more than missing puzzle pieces; especially the important ones. Good luck anyway!
03
And thanks for the kind words, esparby. I go from being frustrated to excited and back again pretty quickly most nights.
04
Actually Matt, it was Dave Batstone who took Bono to South America with a group called Central American Mission Partners. I can’t remember if Rene introduced the two or Dave introduced Bono to Rene (Rene was responsible for showing Bono Balmy Alley in SF) I used to have a fan club (way back in 86) and we had both Dave and Rene speak at meetings. I may have a contact email if you like.
05
Matt, sorry that word “actually” should not have been used, please ignore!
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