U2-A Diary

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….?

Welcomes are in order to readers of U2log.com and U2tour.de. The links above — “help write it”, “about”, and “f.a.q.s” should answer most of your questions, but feel free to leave a comment if I missed something. :)

I would really love to hear from fans in Germany and elsewhere around the world, since you have access to newspapers, magazines, and other reports that I’ve never heard of.

Thanks to Caroline and to the U2tour.de crew for writing about U2 Diary on your web sites!

Update: Thanks also to Matthias at Macphisto.net, Simon at U2.se, and Tincek at U2 Slovenia for mentioning U2 Diary!

I just wanted to pop in with a quick thanks to all the people who are clicking through from @U2. If you’ve sent me an e-mail (and lots of you have), I’ll do my best to reply as quickly as possible!

Feel free to let others know about the book and this blog – the more U2 fans involved, the better. :)

Update: Welcome also to mailing list visitors. I’ve just sent out notice about the book to three mailing lists I’m on.

While re-reading the Rolling Stone Files book a while back, I came across the big Christopher Connelly article that accompanied the “Band of the ’80s” issue in 1985.

Near the end of the article, Connelly’s interviewing Bono — this is in November ’84 — and Bono mentions that he’s just written a new song called “I Don’t Live in Irishtown.”

“It’s about a man who isn’t Protestant or Catholic, English or Irish.”

Wonder what ever became of that one….