Yes, there is the temptation to look at Bono’s face splashed across the
cover of Time Magazine and think: “Egocentric rocker schmoozes with
world leaders, enhances career.” But there is no denying that Bono is
an effective political operative. By taking the less than popular cause
of debt relief and focusing his efforts on the neglected continent of
Africa, he has certainly taken the road less traveled by other celebs
– who usually take on sexier or easier to understand causes. More
importantly, he has moved forward the discussion on policy.
Bono’s self-appointed task is to help the world — and especially white
America — understand how the financial and physical health of Africa
is intricately linked to the well-being of our country and the globe.
To fulfill this challenging goal, Bono started DATA (Debt, Aid, Trade
for Africa), a non-profit advocacy group which is slated to launch
later this month. Apart from debt relief, DATA’s ambitious agenda
includes short-term economic aid, lowered trade embargoes, and money to
fight the AIDS crisis.
The Masher notes Bono’s and U2’s activism has not hurt the band’s
success. According to Pollstar magazine, U2’s tour in 2001 brought in
$110 million, making it one of the most profitable tours in rock
history, second only to the Rolling Stones 1994 tour ($121.2 million).
Concert-goers paid a lot more per ticket in 2001. Ticket prices went up
more than $3 to an average of $43.86 a ducat — no doubt, an effect of
the increasing monopoly power of Clear Channel Communications and its
entertainment subsidiary formerly known as SFX. Pop opera singer Andrea
Bocelli charged the highest average ticket price at $161.45 in 2001,
while the old heavy metal act Poison ranked the lowest with $16.32 per
ticket.
? 2002 Independent Media Institute. All rights reserved.
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