U2 Cancels Tour

[Jana]

Reuters) - U2 frontman Bono left hospital in Germany on Tuesday after undergoing emergency surgery on his back, but the injury has forced the Irish band to postpone the entire North American leg of its world tour.
ENTERTAINMENT | GERMANY
It also means the band will not be appearing at Glastonbury, one of the biggest live music events of the annual pop calendar.

Bono has been told to recuperate for at least eight weeks and band manager Paul McGuinness, speaking to Reuters outside the Munich hospital where the operation was performed on Friday, said the 50-year-old singer "feels awful" about the tour changes, which will affect over a million fans.
"Clearly this is a serious injury and the recuperation time necessary to rehabilitate Bono is a big problem for the U2 tour and has unfortunately necessitated the postponement of 16 shows in North America," he said.

"Those shows were to occur between June 3 in Salt Lake City and July 19 in Meadowlands Stadium."
The earliest possible date for Bono's return, according to the band's website, would be August 6 in Turin, Italy.

U2 were to have been the headline act on the main stage at Glastonbury on June 25, but that has now been canceled.
"I'm heartbroken," Bono said in a statement posted on the festival's website. "We really wanted to be there to do something really special -- we even wrote a song especially for the festival."

BLOW TO LIVE NATION
As well as the band and fans, the injury will also hit Live Nation, the music concert company which signed a 12-year deal to handle merchandising, digital and branding rights and touring for one of the world's most successful bands.

"Obviously Bono feels terrible about missing these shows and we are working as fast as we can with Live Nation to reinstate them and reschedule them for next year," McGuinness said.
"For a performer like him to miss shows is a terrible thing and he feels awful about it. He shouldn't. The most important thing is for him to get better and return to his full power as a performer."

Joerg Tonn, the neurosurgeon treating the star, described Bono's condition as a "sudden onset disease" which caused temporary partial paralysis. The injury happened while the singer was training in preparation for the tour.
"He was already in severe pain with partial paralysis of the lower leg. The ligaments surrounding the disc had an eight millimeter tear and during surgery we discovered fragments of the disc had travelled into the spine canal.
"The surgery was the only cause of treatment for full recovery and to avoid further paralysis. Bono is now much better with complete recovery of his motor-deficit.
"His prognosis is excellent but to obtain a sustainable result he must now enter a period of rehabilitation."

The 2009 part of the tour helped the band earn $109 million last year, according to music journal Billboard. The U2 360 Tour, so-called because fans surround a giant circular platform, was predicted to become the highest-grossing tour in history.

The band, with hits like "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Where the Streets Have No Name", is one of the world's biggest. They have sold over 150 million records, according to unofficial estimates

[brywool]

Wow... this sounds familiar-

So he's preparing for the tour, gets this injury and IMMEDIATELY goes in for surgery?
Just imagine if another singer/frontman had done that rather than just waiting for
his injury to magically go away...

Good on Bono for getting it taken care of asap.

Back injuries can be lifelong problems. Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to normal.

[Behshad]

They need to retire. Its for the best

[Jana]

They need to retire. Its for the best

This is what Bono has to say to that.

http://www.youtube.com/v/S6R_D-4anNc&hl=en

[Babyblue]

Wow... this sounds familiar-

So he's preparing for the tour, gets this injury and IMMEDIATELY goes in for surgery?
Just imagine if another singer/frontman had done that rather than just waiting for
his injury to magically go away...

Good on Bono for getting it taken care of asap.

Back injuries can be lifelong problems. Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to normal.

It is not just that easy to pop in and out with the surgery.We both had the same surgery done.And you NEVER want to do it till you can't take it anymore.

[Michigan Girl]

He's toast!!

I wish him all the best ...yikes, could be very serious!!

[Jana]

Wow... this sounds familiar-

So he's preparing for the tour, gets this injury and IMMEDIATELY goes in for surgery?
Just imagine if another singer/frontman had done that rather than just waiting for
his injury to magically go away...

Good on Bono for getting it taken care of asap.

Back injuries can be lifelong problems. Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to normal.

It is not just that easy to pop in and out with the surgery.We both had the same surgery done.And you NEVER want to do it till you can't take it anymore.

so true. My sister herniated her disc water-skiing and has suffered for years with radiating pain down her leg. And her husband says, just go get an operation like it's a walk in the park. She won't do it until she has more bad days than good. His must have been bad, partial paralysis of the leg facing more paralysis. Wow. God bless, Bono. Performing is in his blood. This won't keep him from doing that. It's just a matter of can he really come back this year for the rest of the tour like he wants to do. I'm betting on him.

[Babyblue]

Wow... this sounds familiar-

So he's preparing for the tour, gets this injury and IMMEDIATELY goes in for surgery?
Just imagine if another singer/frontman had done that rather than just waiting for
his injury to magically go away...

Good on Bono for getting it taken care of asap.

Back injuries can be lifelong problems. Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to normal.

It is not just that easy to pop in and out with the surgery.We both had the same surgery done.And you NEVER want to do it till you can't take it anymore.

so true. My sister herniated her disc water-skiing and has suffered for years with radiating pain down her leg. And her husband says, just go get an operation like it's a walk in the park. She won't do it until she has more bad days than good. His must have been bad, partial paralysis of the leg facing more paralysis. Wow. God bless, Bono. Performing is in his blood. This won't keep him from doing that. It's just a matter of can he really come back this year for the rest of the tour like he wants to do. I'm betting on him.

I can understand were your sister is coming from.I am getting ready have total knee replacement.I am not looking forword to it at all.I have also had the heriated disk surgery done.Not fun at all.

[brywool]

I also have a herniated disc. When it acts up, it makes my leg all weird
and I can barely stand up. I did physical therapy for months. Didn't do anything but suck my money.
Finally got the steroid shot in my back. Um, why didn't we do this before??
Was up and around and back to doing what I do in a few days. I've had to
do one other shot in about 20 years. Back injuries can suck.

As for U2 retiring- I wasn't a fan of their last album. It just didn't grab me.
Those before it sure did though. I saw them on the Vertigo tour and I was
blown away by how good they were. It was a seriously GREAT show.

Journey should do the kind of staging U2 does. It's very cool.

[Blueskies]

They need to retire. Its for the best

This is what Bono has to say to that.

http://www.youtube.com/v/S6R_D-4anNc&hl=en

Have you heard this one where he explains how they were inspired to write " Miracle Drug" ? I hadn't really listened that close to this song until now....wow, I have a new appreciation for it....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNm7P2lY9DA

[Behshad]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

[StevePerryHair]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

[Arianddu]

Wow... this sounds familiar-

So he's preparing for the tour, gets this injury and IMMEDIATELY goes in for surgery?
Just imagine if another singer/frontman had done that rather than just waiting for
his injury to magically go away...

Good on Bono for getting it taken care of asap.

Back injuries can be lifelong problems. Hopefully, the surgery will get him back to normal.

Yeah, let's imagine Bono' surgical options were what they were 15+ years ago and see if he still would have jumped straight in.

[Behshad]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

[StevePerryHair]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

[Behshad]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

[StevePerryHair]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

[Behshad]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

Yes its called Pain in the ass aka Lynn,

[StevePerryHair]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

Yes its called Pain in the ass aka Lynn,

Fuck you (see, it works in every thread )

[S2M]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

Once you discovered Bud Light Limes were $3, you were sucking them down faster than StevieW2 scoops up season tickets for the Saudi Zoo!!!!

[StevePerryHair]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

Once you discovered Bud Light Limes were $3, you were sucking them down faster than StevieW2 scoops gprs season tickets for the Saudi Zoo!!!!

That was friday NIGHT! EVERYONE did that friday night

[Don]

Who will replace U2 at Glastonbury?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainmen ... 156632.stm

U2 have pulled out of their headline slot at the Glastonbury Festival after Bono suffered a back injury.

It is a blow for the event, which finally thought it had the Irish band in the bag for its 40th anniversary. So who could step in and take their place?



COLDPLAY

Singer Chris Martin is close friends with festival organisers Michael and Emily Eavis and credits them with boosting his band's career when they were asked to headline in 2002.

The band also headlined in 2005 and have not performed at Worthy Farm since. They wrapped up a world tour in Mexico in March.



DIZZEE RASCAL

The rapper is immediately below U2 on Friday night's main stage line-up and could now be promoted to the top slot, as Basement Jaxx were when Kylie Minogue pulled out in 2005.

His new single is on course to become the fourth number one to be taken from his latest album Tongue N Cheek.

He is a crowd favourite and there are no barriers to having a hip-hop headliner after Jay-Z's trailblazing set in 2008.



KINGS OF LEON

The Tennessee band's headline slot at Glastonbury in 2008 catapulted them onto the A list.

Since then, they have become bona fide stadium-filling, multi-million-selling stars.

They are already playing at Hyde Park in London on Wednesday 30 June - three days after Glastonbury ends, with a space in their diary during the festival itself.



ROLLING STONES

Michael Eavis has been trying to bring two bands to Worthy Farm for years, if not decades - U2 and The Rolling Stones.

Now U2 are out of the equation, he may turn to the wrinkly rock legends to have headliners of equal star power.

But The Stones have never done festivals and are not in tour mode.



LED ZEPPELIN

Led Zeppelin never played Glastonbury and have only played one date in the last 22 years - at the O2 in London in 2007.

Asked on BBC 6 Music whether he would rule out the possibility of filling in for U2, guitarist Jimmy Page replied: "I never ruled anything out in the future, from the O2."

Singer Robert Plant may be more difficult to convince.



KYLIE MINOGUE

The pop diva was due to headline five years ago, but withdrew when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

She could finally appear on the Pyramid Stage this year and has a new album to promote. Aphrodite is released on 5 July, just a week after Glastonbury.

But her last tour ended in October 2009 and activating the intricate Kylie gig machine would be a big job.



SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY

The Beatles legend headlined Glastonbury with a crowd-pleasing hit-filled set in 2004.

This year, he has gigs in Glasgow on Saturday 26 June and Sunday 27 June. But there is a gap on Friday 25 June - the night U2 have vacated.



JAY-Z

It is two years since the controversy over whether the New York rap giant was suitable for a headline slot at the festival.

Oasis star Noel Gallagher said hip-hop was "wrong" for the event but Jay-Z stole the show and blew his critics away.

This year, he is playing several European festivals, including Isle of Wight, Wireless and T in the Park - but nothing on Glastonbury weekend.

[Jana]

Muse or ColdPlay or Depeche Mode or Paul McCartney. Rolling Stones I doubt would be interested since they're not on tour.

[Don]

U2 will more than likely do make up dates at some of the Summer Festivals in 2011. They could very well be on the same bill as Journey which is great for the promoters. This year, the shows had an over abundance of headliners as Aerosmith, AC-DC and Guns & Roses are playing a lot of gigs at the same Festivals.

[Behshad]

U2 will more than likely do make up dates at some of the Summer Festivals in 2011. They could very well be on the same bill as Journey which is great for the promoters. This year, the shows had an over abundance of headliners as Aerosmith, AC-DC and Guns & Roses are playing a lot of gigs at the same Festivals.

Dont give them any ideas,,, they need to retire,,,,

[Don]

U2 will more than likely do make up dates at some of the Summer Festivals in 2011. They could very well be on the same bill as Journey which is great for the promoters. This year, the shows had an over abundance of headliners as Aerosmith, AC-DC and Guns & Roses are playing a lot of gigs at the same Festivals.

Dont give them any ideas,,, they need to retire,,,,

The owner of Live Nation isn't going to allow them to do that until they recoup the money they are about to lose for this year.

[Babyblue]

Back pains are not fun... I experienced a lot of fucking back pain druing the 2nd day of MRF,,,, Third day was better since all of us were mosty at the balcony with seats and those couches were fucking comfy as fuck!

That's what happens when you get fucking old

You should fucking know

You didn't hear me whining at MRfest.. not once Nothing hurt or ached on me some people age faster than others......

Cause you were fucking drunk most of the time
plus sitting in a car for 5 fucking hours prior to the show wasnt a good thing either

I was not!!! I drank friday NIGHT, saturday NIGHT and water all day sunday. Try again I think you must have an underlying back problem you should get checked out

Yes its called Pain in the ass aka Lynn,

Fuck you (see, it works in every thread )

[Don]

Gorillaz replace U2 at Glastonbury

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8706700.stm

Damon Albarn's virtual pop band Gorillaz are to replace U2 at the Glastonbury Festival next month.

The announcement comes a day after the Irish band were forced to pull out following Bono's back surgery.

Organiser Michael Eavis promised "a massive audio visual spectacle which will really ignite the Pyramid Stage".

In their only full UK festival appearance, Gorillaz will top the bill on 25 June. Albarn also headlined the event last year with Blur.

Mr Eavis added: "I'm very excited about Gorillaz' show coming here because they're so open to guests and collaborations.

"The alchemy of Friday's show is going to be astonishing - a perfect, contemporary way to kick off the 40th anniversary celebrations."

The new album features guest appearances from artists including Lou Reed, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def and Bobby Womack.

Albarn said it was "a terrible thing for U2, Glastonbury is magical", adding: "Gorillaz will come to life on that stage but we wish Bono all the best."

The cartoon group released their third album Plastic Beach in March and unveiled their new live show at the Coachella festival in California in April.

Gorillaz co-founder Jamie Hewlett said: "I wasn't sure how Gorillaz would work in a festival environment, but Coachella was amazing. I think Glastonbury will be an unbelievable experience for us."

They will also visit other European festivals including Denmark's Roskilde on 1 July and Benicassim in Spain on 18 July.

[Deb]

Aw, poor Jana.

[portland]

Aw, poor Jana.

That is a very cute smiley.....very fitting for the occassion!