U2-A Diary

You probably know about the Achtung Baby recording sessions being bootlegged after early recording tapes were stolen in early 1991. But did you know that Zooropa was also stolen before it was released, too?

I had no idea. But there’s an article about it in this wonderful book of clippings that Teresa C. (@U2′s podcast producer) gave me recently. So here’s how the entry about Zooropa being stolen will look in the book:

June 3, 1993

In Miami today, Chris Blackwell and other Island/Polygram executives get an advance listen of U2’s new album, Zooropa. But in two other locations, police are looking for stolen copies of the album. Dublin police are investigating a break-in at Gavin Friday’s home in which the thieves stole several tapes, including a copy of Zooropa. And another copy of the album is missing in Los Angeles, after a courier was mugged. Paul McGuinness tells reporters the band is aware of the situation: “We’re working as fast as we can. Why would anyone buy an expensive, bad-quality bootleg when the real thing will be out in a month?”

Here’s a list of the resolved/answered questions I’ve posted so far in the CALLS FOR HELP category here on the blog:

1) Yes, Allen Ginsberg was at the PopMart Tour news conference in 1997. MTV even recorded Ginsberg reciting the lyrics to “Miami.” Sherry L. from @U2 helped on this one.

2) With your help, I’ve placed the 1992 “naked interview” in mid-February, not March as was reported.

3) With your help, I’ve placed the Bono-Dylan songwriting of “Love Rescue Me” (AKA “Prisoner of Love”) in either April, 1987, or November, 1987 — or possibly both if the song was unfinished in April.

4) With your help, I’ve figured out that Rattle and Hum was released on VHS around February 28/March 1, 1989.

5) Sherry also helped with pinpointing the airing of the Zoo TV 3-part TV series on MTV as April, 1997.

6) With your help, I’ve got the location of the Mary J. Blige/U2 “One” video shoot as the “Teatro Ferrocarrilero” (Railroad Theatre) in Mexico City.

Thanks so much for all the great help!!! You guys rock. :)

We all know that U2 spent about a week in the Hershey, PA, area doing rehearsals for the Zoo TV Outside Broadcast Tour in August, 1992. That much is common knowledge.

But up until last night, for that 7-day period, U2 Diary only had two entries: One for August 1st, the day the band arrived; and one for August 7th, the day of the rehearsal gig.

Then a U2 fan named Stacey S. emailed me a bunch of scans from the local newspaper’s coverage all week long of U2′s time in the area. How did that help? Here’s a list of what I learned:

• U2 rehearsed every night except their first night, which I would’ve guessed, but it’s great to have confirmation.
• They stayed at the Hilton hotel in Harrisburg, PA.
• They stopped to chat and sign autographs with fans every day outside the hotel.
• About 200 fans per night hung out near the stadium to listen to rehearsals.
• Local police received about 200 calls during the week from people complaining about the loud noise, and one guy even filed a complaint against Hershey Entertainment (owners of the stadium).
• During a break in rehearsals one night, Bono and Adam did an interview with the local newspaper.
• The rehearsal was announced and tickets went on sale the same day that week.

There are some good photos in the newspaper scans, so I’ll be in contact with the paper to see about getting permission to use 1-2 of those in the book.

Beyond all of this, there are also some stories in BP Fallon’s U2 Faraway So Close book, so what used to be two basic entries for that week is now a much more detailed and comprehensive look at what happened while U2 was rehearsing in Hershey, PA.

Thank you, Stacey!

If you think you might have scans or clippings of other unknown appearances and such, please contact me with details. Thanks, folks.

Thank you! So far, in about 40 hours since announcing the book and this blog, I’ve received more than 50 emails from fans around the world. Some just write to say “Congrats”, but most are sharing very helpful stories and information.

If you think you might have some story or photo or fact that would be helpful, but you’re not sure what I’m looking for, here’s a sample of what people have shared via email already. This should give a good idea of the type of material needed:

• Photos of Bono when he stopped to visit fans outside the radio studio on August 28, 1992, when they did the “Rockline” radio call-in show (which included a call from Bill Clinton). There’s an entry in the book for that show, but photos will be a great addition.
• Photos and info. about the Daniel Lanois concert in 2003 where Edge made a guest appearance.
• Info. about the day Bono and Edge sang “In a Little While” on a Miami beach lifeguard stand, while filming that “A Day in the Life of Edge” video.
• Info. and photos from a fan who was at Abbey Road last year when U2 and Green Day were recording there.
• Info. about U2 almost missing their first show in Switzerland in 1981.
• Info. about Bono attending a service at Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco, and being asked to speak to the churchgoers and lead the choir in a couple songs.

And the list could go on and on. I’m learning all kinds of great stuff already! :)

That’s the kind of information/photos that I think will be a big help with U2 Diary. So if you think you have something that might also belong in the book, please use the contact page and tell me about it. Thanks!

Here’s another one from Rolling Stone Files: There was a lengthy article about Rattle and Hum with interview comments from Phil Joanou. Near the end, the article includes this:

“Meanwhile, says Joanou, Bono is writing an original script about a New Orleans blues singer and her involvement in a sexually obsessive relationship.”

As with this previous post, I wonder whatever became of that….?