Latest U2 News & Information

The African Well Fund is accepting donations for its sixth annual Bono’s Birthday Well fundraiser, “Walk to the Water … Walk with Me,” through Saturday, May 10, Bono’s 48th birthday. Donations can be made at http://www.africanwellfund.org/Bono-Well-2008.html.

Donors to the Bono’s Birthday Well are invited to sign their names to an online birthday card that will be forwarded to Bono. Last year Bono sent a thank-you note to African Well Fund that can be viewed at the well homepage, http://www.africanwellfund.org/Bono-Well-2008.html. The well page also includes flyers, banners and avatars that can be uploaded or forwarded to spread the word on the fundraiser.

The first Bono’s Birthday Well fundraiser was held in 2003 with the intent of collecting $1,000 to build one well in Bono’s honor. That year, the African Well Fund collected more than $10,000. The second year, $15,000 was raised. More than $26,000 was collected for Bono’s Birthday Well in 2005. Over $32,000 was collected in 2006.

Last year saw the largest Bono’s Birthday Well total to date, with more than $34,000 collected. Those funds were used toward projects at several schools in Uganda implemented in partnership with Invisible Children and Africare. These projects are currently underway.

Tax-deductible donations to the African Well Fund are used by our partner organization Africare to fund various water projects in Africa. To date, African Well Fund donations have given more than 100,000 people in 10 African nations improved access to water.

By Sandy Cohen, AP Entertainment Writer
Guitarist the Edge takes a break from recording new U2 album to host charity auction

LOS ANGELES (AP) — For the second year in a row, the Edge is putting his money where the music is.

The U2 guitarist announced Wednesday he will donate two Gibson guitars and other items from his personal collection to the “Icons of Music” auction benefiting Music Rising, a charity the Edge co-founded to replace musical equipment lost or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Read the rest of this story »

A T-Shirt, designed by Bono for Hard Rock International, will raise funds to benefit cotton farmers and garment workers in Africa. The design features a fish soaring through the moon and stars. With Bono’s signature.

The ‘Bono Signature Series T-shirt’ is set on a black 100% African cotton t-shirt (men’s) and on a white 100% African cotton t-shirt (women’s) and it’s produced by edun LIVE, the ethical t-shirt company, founded by Bono and Ali.

‘Proceeds from sales will benefit Wildlife Conservation Society’s Conservation Cotton Initiative, which helps lift African farmers out of poverty by providing education on proper land management, organic cotton growing techniques and wildlife conservation.’

Order yours here

More about the Wildlife Conservation Society and its Conservation Cotton Initiative, here

Check out edun Live here

African Well Fund Launches Sixth Annual Bono’s Birthday Well Fundraiser March 17th

The African Well Fund is launching its sixth annual Bono’s Birthday Well fundraiser on March 17th. Called “Walk to the Water… Walk with Me,” the fundraiser aims to raise money in honor of Bono’s May 10th birthday. Details of the project funded by this year’s donations will be announced shortly. Read the rest of this story »

(PR) On April 1, 2008, Shout! Factory will release In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2, an album celebrating the music, culture and future of Africa, and an unprecedented musical homage to Bono and U2 for their ongoing humanitarian relief efforts aiding the beloved continent. A portion of the record’s proceeds will directly benefit The Global Fund. Interviews with select artists are available upon request.

Produced by Shawn Amos and Paul Heck, In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 features Grammy Award-winning/nominated African artists as well as top up-and-coming talents including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. Read the rest of this story »

BERLIN - Bono’s got some kind words for Germany.

“This new Germany” is not shy about showing the world what values are worth fighting for, the activist and U2 co-founder said Tuesday. Bono made the remarks after meeting with lawmakers to tell them about efforts to fight poverty and stem the spread of malaria, AIDS and tuberculosis in the developing world.

Speaking to lawmakers, Bono said his visit was aimed at letting them know that using money to fight poverty was helping. Read the rest of this story »

NEW YORK - The second “American Idol” charity event is set for April 9, with a lineup that includes Bono, Brad Pitt, Miley Cyrus, Fergie, Chris Daughtry and Carrie Underwood.

Last year’s “Idol Gives Back” show raised $76 million to benefit underprivileged children.

The Fox network announced the date Monday. Football stars Peyton and Eli Manning are also scheduled, along with John Legend, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Reese Witherspoon and Snoop Dogg. Fox said more names will be added in the coming weeks.

The Associated Press

A contemporary art auction spearheaded by U2 frontman Bono and British artist Damien Hirst drew a star-studded audience Thursday night and raised more than $42 million for programs battling HIV and AIDS.

A contemporary art auction spearheaded by U2 frontman Bono and British artist Damien Hirst drew a star-studded audience Thursday night and raised more than $42 million for programs battling HIV and AIDS.

Organized by auction house Sotheby’s and Manhattan’s Gagosian Gallery, the so-called (Red) Auction — named for Bono’s fundraising effort battling AIDS in Africa — offered up 83 works by artists including Hirst, Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Banksy, Tracey Emin, Willem De Kooning and Julian Schnabel. Read the rest of this story »

An extraordinary array of contemporary art will go under the hammer tomorrow for Red, the brand created by U2 star and activist Bono, to raise money to combat the Aids epidemic in Africa.

The auction features mainly new works donated by more than 60 artists, including Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Tracey Emin and Anthony Gormley. At a conservative estimate, it could raise $28 million in a few hours of bidding.

The event has been organised by Bono and Damien Hirst, who has contributed seven pieces, including one of his signature medicine cabinets full of pills, entitled Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way. Read the rest of this story »