My U2 Book Signing Story - by Azalea
On Tuesday, September 26, 2006, I was BLESSED enough to be one of only 250 U2 fans who was able to get in the U2 by U2 book signing in New York City. It was SUCH A SURREAL EXPERIENCE! I finally got my moment to meet Bono and the boys, as they signed my book and they are all so AWESOME. This was truly a gift from God!

Edge was the first one I got to meet. I looked right into his smiling eyes and told him it was nice to meet him. As I shook his hand, I reached over to kiss him on the cheek and he kissed me back! I immediately noticed the sweetest demeanor about him. He softly asked me for my name to dedicate the autograph and I told him, "Azalea, like the flower!" and spelled it out for him. He was very careful not to misspell it. I leaned over to get closer to him and told him that my husband was from New Orleans and how proud we were of him and all of his charitable efforts there (Music Rising). I also mentioned how well he represented (in his Christian Faith) and God bless you! He said, "Aww, thank you.", and seemed really sincere. I couldn't help but glance at Bono, who was sitting to Edge's right, and notice that he is sort of eavesdropping on us…like, he's curious as to what I'm telling Edge. IMAGINE THAT...BONO, interested to hear what I'M saying!! UNBELIEVABLE!

Then, it was Bono's turn… I was finally face to face with BONO! I almost fainted...no, really...I almost did! He was looking right at me, waiting to hear what I had to say. I somehow worked up the nerve and told him, "I just want to hug you!" So, he gives me this smirk and GETS UP, I put my arms around his shoulders and he surprises me with the sweetest KISS on my cheek, while saying "MMMUAH" aloud...He held it for a while, too! Last thing I expected was that Bono was going to KISS me, especially when I only asked for a hug! At that point, I went into a dreamlike daze. I did manage to tell him, as he's signing my book, that my husband and I came from L.A. just to see him and thank him for all that he has done. Then, I told him pretty much the same thing I told Edge (how well he represents and God bless). I also told him how we think he's just so awesome and we love him so much! I realized, then, that I was starting to babble and stopped myself (Thank you, God!). I looked right into his eyes and expected him to say something MAGICAL and POETIC back to me, but he didn't...He just looked at me and nodded with a strange expression on his face. I thought that maybe I said something to upset him so I was a little disappointed, but still elated about that KISS...I can still feel his scratchy beard on my face and his sweet humming in my ear! AAhhhhh! I will never forget the moment....EVER!

Now, it was Larry's turn. At that point, I was in a trance… like if BONO PUT A SPELL ON ME. Everything seemed blurry and hazy. I didn't even say HI to Larry! After he signs my book, Larry, trying to snap me out of it, extends his hand out to me and yells really loud, "It's nice to meet you!" with a HUGE, twinkly grin on his face. He was obviously trying to wake me up… so funny! I try to regain my composure and tell him that it was nice to meet him, too, as I shake his hand. Needless to say, I was a little embarrassed for being such a "smitten kitten" for Bono! Meow!

Next, while still in a semi-hypnotic state, I tell Adam, that it's nice to meet him. It's all I can think of saying. He looks at my name like he thought it was interesting, and jokingly says to me, "Azalea….what color?" hahaha (get it? what color flower?). He looked at me waiting for a response, but I was in such a daze, that I couldn't think of anything else to say, so I just laugh, DUH!

A lady directed me out and that was the end of this once in a lifetime experience. As I'm walking away, in what seemed like slow motion, I realized that since I was so MESMERIZED BY BONO and...aaahhh... THAT KISS...and so distraught thinking that I might've upset him, that I forgot to ask him to pose for a picture with me! AGGGHHH! BUMMER! The photographer did take a few pictures while they were signing my book, etc., (God bless her for that shot of me hugging Bono!). A lot of the pictures came out blurry, but that's ok, that's how it all seemed to me, anyway!

As I'm on my way out going down the escalator, trying hard not to fall with my freshly signed, opened book in my hands, I noticed my husband, Rolando taking pictures of me from downstairs. I finally made it to the bottom and the first thing I said was "I can't breathe!". Then I said, "Bono isn't that friendly!" What was I thinking? Did I just forget that incredibly dreamy kiss? After I told Rolando exactly what happened he reassured me that Bono was indeed a sweetheart with me!

At the end of the event, we all got a chance to see the band as they were exiting the building. Everyone was taking pictures of them as they signed autographs and greeted the fans. When Bono walked up to me, he shook my hand as I asked if he can take a picture with me and he kind of ignored me and walked away... BUT...I didn't realize at the time that I was still holding his hand as he was walking away! I didn't let go, and he didn't let go either, so we were holding hands until we could no longer reach! I couldn't believe that I was holding Bono's hand for all that time! I got to shake hands with Edge and Larry and took a picture with Adam. Then, as Bono was coming back toward my area to get in the car, he looked right at me as I asked him again if he can please take "just a quick picture" with me. This time he STOPPED!! I was so incredibly ecstatic. I reached for him and put my arm around him as I tried to pull him closer to me, but he grabbed my arm and gently stopped me! Then, Rolando snapped the picture I always dreamed of having! I thanked Bono for his time as I patted him on his shoulder a few times. What an amazing guy! I just ADORE him SO much! I was glad that Rolando, Lisa and Vic also got to meet them....but most important...I GOT MY PICTURE WITH BONO!!! YEAH!!!

Finally, when the boys were all in the car, just before they drove off, Rolando, unexpectedly and in all his "ROLANDO GLORY", threw Bono a kiss and yelled, "BONO, YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!". We can see Bono through the tinted window and he laughed and said something to Edge then opened the window, looked at Rolando and bowed his head in appreciation.

What a Class Act! Bono ROCKS My World! :)

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Why I like the song "One" - by Trent White
When the Achtung Baby album came out, it was well before I had realized the brilliance of U2 and become a fanatic. My younger brother had liked the song "One" from radio play and bought the tape single. I remember the tape had the cool grey/black picture of buffalo jumping off a cliff. "One" was the commercial hit from the Achtung Baby album. Now don't get me wrong - I liked the song, I even like the videos for it, but to me, it was just another good song from that group called U2... I, like most people, didn't know the history of the song.

Many years after the fact, the group admitted that the recording sessions for "Achtung Baby" became extremely trying on more than a few occasions. The world was changing - it was the early 90's - the Berlin wall was coming down. The Edge was going through a very painful divorce (which became a theme for the album). Music was changing - the "alternative" genre was just starting to happen. On top of all that, the group felt added pressure to "re-invent" themselves following Bono's "dream it all up again" speech. Edge has admitted that U2 were in-fighting during that time, with Bono and Edge often going one way and Adam and Larry going the other.

U2 had decided to record in Hansa studios in Berlin. The idea of using a studio that had produced great works by David Bowie and other artists was very exciting to U2. When they got there, the exact opposite occured. Instead of being inspired by the studio, they were depressed - they found that the studio was in horrible shape. This only led to more issues with the band. Nothing was happening. No songs, no new music. This had never happened to the group.

Things were bad in Berlin - the band was close to breaking up. Then something amazing happened. (If you have never heard the group talk about this, check out VH-1's legends episode on U2. It is really special.) The band was at a dead end, close to calling it quits, and then, out of nowhere comes this guitar riff - the One. To hear Larry tell it, you would have thought that God himself walked into the room and handed Edge the music.

I would agree that the song "One" was Heaven-sent. Bono has often said that "all the best songs are co-written with God". The song "One" is a great example. The band finished recording the song, and the flood gates opened - they had their first single and the recording process started to flow. They just needed a "spark", and "One" provided it - now that I think about it, it was more like a flame-thrower.

When I think of all the great music we would be without, songs like "Beautiful Day", "Mysterious Ways" and "Please" to name a few, I am glad that "One" happened. It is the song that saved U2.

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The first time I saw U2 live - by Trent White
March 30th, 2001 - Philips Arena - Atlanta, GA. It was a Friday. I left work early so that I could head back home before heading down to the arena. I was so eager - we got there and were in our seats well before the opening act (Nelly Furtado) started. As the time grew closer, I was getting more and more psyched up.

I had been a fan since 93. The PopMart tour came and went during my college days (days with no money for tickets) - I probably called the local radio station 100 times trying to win PopMart tickets - to no avail. I would have to wait until the next tour. Up to this point, my U2 concert experiences all lived on VHS - "Live at Red Rocks", "Rattle and Hum", "ZooTV - Sydney" and now "Popmart - Mexico City".

By the time the opening act left the stage - I was a live wire. About 30 minutes passed, then it happened - the lights go dim and the opening of Elevation (the funky middle-eastern flavored remix) starts piping through the sound system. My seats were on the top level, about even with the tip of the "heart" stage. The crowd starts to roar! I am standing on my toes, straining to see what is happening. There is Adam Clayton! He is wearing the coolest clothes ever! There is Larry Mullen! (Now my wife is going crazy). The Edge comes out in his "7" t-shirt. And in his blue tinted wrap around glasses - BONO! For someone who has waited for this moment for close to 10 years - WOW!

The concert rocked - everybody singing to every song - no one sitting down. They even played one of my favorite live songs - "Until the End of the World" - complete with the "good vs evil" battle between Bono and Edge. I must have checked my watch 20 times, knowing the show ran about 2 hours, and never wanting it to end.

It did end, with the song "Walk On" and the Hallelujah chorus echoing throughout the building. I think any U2 show is a good show (I have since attended my second - the Vertigo show in 2005), but I don't think I could have picked a better concert to be my first.

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I had braces as a teen, and for every five "good" visits to the orthodonist, I would get a $5 turtles music coin. I finished a fifth visit, recieved my coin and headed to turtles (which later was bought by blockbuster). I had heard the song "Numb" and thought it sounded very exciting and different, it was hard to describe - the song was jagged - it "had edges". Since I had the gift coin burning a hole in my pocket, I decided to give the new U2 album "Zooropa" a chance. It had a weird cover - it looked like a bunch of purple static and stars. A funny thing is, the song "Numb" wasn't the most commercial song. If someone were to guess which one song led to a person becoming a U2 fan, there would be around 50 guesses before Numb came up. Songs like "One", "I Still Haven't Found", "With or Without You" - It is safe to say that I took a less traveled path to U2.

At the time, I had no idea that CD purchase would be the first of many, and begin my addiction to U2.

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A Variation of the Desert Island game - by Trent White
If you haven't heard of it, the "Desert Island Game" asks the hypothetical question "If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take three ______, what would they be and why." The blank could be anything-three books, three movies, three people, etc.

If I was stranded on a desert island and could only take three U2 albums, I would take:

1. The Joshua Tree - U2's strongest album from start to finish, top to bottom. U2 at their 80's peak - Rock's Hottest Ticket! If I could only choose one album, this is it.
Desert Island Album Highlights: Where the Streets Have No Name, With or Without You, One Tree Hill

2. All That You Can't Leave Behind - Seems like the perfect album for a stranded situation: it can be enjoyed alone. U2 for the 2000's. Heavy "letting go" themes - mainly due to Bono's father's battle with cancer - translates well to the isolation of a deserted island.
Desert Island Album Highlights: Stuck in a Moment, Kite, Wild Honey, Beautiful Day

3. Achtung Baby - A sad album for a sad situation. You would have to enjoy the irony of listening to U2's technological "leap" album, in the least technological setting. U2's best work from the 90's. Looses a few points for the overall dark/depressing theme... but still too good to leave behind.
Desert Island Album Highlights: So Cruel, Until the End of the World, Mysterious Ways

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A Variation of the Desert Island game (Part 2) - by Trent White
If you haven't heard of it, the "Desert Island Game" asks the hypothetical question "If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take three ______, what would they be and why." The blank could be anything-three books, three movies, three people, etc.

When it comes down to which U2 songs I would take, 3 isn't enough - I'm expanding it to 10 items! So here they are, if I was going to be stranded on a desert island for the rest of my life and could only take 10 U2 songs, I would choose (in no particular order):

1. Beautiful Day – A song about finding joy in a bad situation. I often think of the Old Testament characters of Job and Noah. The song even has references to Noah and the flood. On a deserted island, I like to think that I could wake up every day with this song.
Island Lyrics: “Touch me, take me to that other place, reach me, I know I'm not a hopeless case, what you don't have you don't need it now, what you don't know you can feel it somehow, what you don't have you don't need it now, don't need it now, it was a beautiful day” and “See the bird with a leaf in her mouth, after the flood all the colors came out”

2. The Ocean – This song seems to revel in the idea of isolation – that is a good thing considering the desert island setting.
Island Lyric: “and I looked all around, the world couldn’t be found, just me by the sea…”

3. Until the End of the World – This is probably my favorite U2 song to see performed live. The conversation between Judas and Jesus is very personal, sprinkled with heavy spiritual imagery. Those elements make it a favorite.
Island Lyrics: “In my dreams, I was drowning my sorrows but my sorrows, they learned to swim…” and “waves of regret, waves of joy, I reached out to the one I tried to destroy, and you, you said you’d wait until the end of the world”

4. Van Dieman’s Land – A song sung by the Edge. There aren’t many songs that I have a voice for, but I’ve used this one as a lullaby for my new born son. Those memories alone make it a must have.
Island Lyrics: “It's a bitter pill I swallow here, to be rent from one so dear” and “Hold me now, hold me now, till this hour has gone around, and I'm gone on the rising tide, for to face Van Diemen's Land”

5. 40 – Good song for a desperate situation. Knowing God is in control may be all that keeps you sane – this song reminds you of that. The “how long” chorus will be echoing throughout your head for days.
Island Lyrics: “I waited patiently for the Lord, He inclined and heard my cry” and “how long, to sing this song…”

6. All I Want is You – I had this song playing the moment that I proposed to my wife. That’s enough to make the list.
Island Lyric: “All the promises we break from the cradle to the grave, when all I want is you”

7. One Tree Hill – One of my all-time favorites. Song has an island feel – written for a close friend of Bono’s who was from New Zealand.
Island Lyric: “I’ll see you again, when the stars fall from the sky, and the moon has turned red, over one tree hill”

8. The Unforgettable Fire – Very powerful song… has excellent imagery. Excellent lyrics will become important when listening to the same songs over and over. This song has that category covered.
Island Lyric: “and if the mountain should crumble and disappear into the sea, not a tear, no not I”

9. Red Hill Mining Town – A personal favorite that could not be ignored. Not necessarily the most popular U2 song, but how can you miss with lines like “We're wounded by fear, injured in doubt, I can lose myself, you I can't live without…”
Island Lyric: “I'm hanging on, you're all that's left to hold on to, I'm still waiting, I'm hanging on, you're all that's left to hold on to, love slowly stripped away, love has seen its better day”

10. Bad – Led Zeppelin had Stairway to Heaven. For me, this song is U2’s ‘stairway’ - truly and epic song. Bono’s line “If I could, I would let it go, this desperation, dislocation, separation, condemnation, revelation, in temptation, isolation, desolation” rings true in the desert island setting.
Island Lyric: “If I could throw this lifeless, lifeline to the wind, leave this heart of clay”

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Favorite U2 Quotes - by Trent White
"When your 16 you think you can take on the world, and sometimes you're right!" - Bono

"We're stealing from the thieves" - Bono (when asked about using "non U2 owned" satellite signals during the zoo TV concert)

"Never trust a man in sunglasses" - Bono

"It's a musical journey" - Larry (Describing the movie Rattle and Hum)

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