Dave Bushell ([email protected])
Fri, 16 Oct 1998 16:03:48 -0700 (PDT)
BONO AND RUSHDIE?
FATWA CHANCE!
U2's THE EDGE has spoken
exclusively to NME about
reports in Irish newspaper The
Sunday Independent (Sunday
October 11) that author Salman
Rushdie had lived at Bono's
Dublin home.
The story had suggested that Rushdie stayed at the residence for a
long period during the 10 year fatwa passed against him by Iranian
religious leader Ayatollah Khomeni, during which time the Satanic
Verses author was under the protection of Special Branch bodyguards.
"It's not really accurate," The Edge told
NME last night (Thursday October 15). "In fact we're a bit pissed off
about it because it implies that Salman was staying for long periods
of time in Bono's house, which wasn't the case. He did stay for the
weekend on maybe two occasions. But it wasn't like he was living with
Bono for months on end, which was sort of what the story claimed."
Bono and Rushdie have reportedly collaborated on lyrics
together and U2 have been long time supporters of the author during
his years in hiding. "He's been on stage with us," said The Edge. "We
don't have a problem with standing beside him. But the focus of that
story seemed to be on Bono's house, which we could have done without,
from a security point of view."
Although the Iranian government have said that they would not support
anyone trying to kill Salman Rushdie, isolated Islamic groups
throughout the world have said that they regard Khomeni's fatwa as
still being in force; only Khomeni could revoke a fatwa and he is now
dead.
The Edge also said that there was little chance of U2 playing Slane
Castle next year as has been reported elsewhere. He did however,
confirm that the BBC are doing an episode of the next series of
Classic Albums about 'The Joshua Tree' and the band are currently
going through old multitrack tapes, rediscovering the genesis of songs
for the multi-million seller.
For the full U2 feature, read NME next week.
==
"You haven't come all the way out here
to watch T.V now, have ya!"
- Bono, ZOO TV
"This is all very realistic but not
very much fun."
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