Great live: U2 at the Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony - Until The End of The World

First of all, I can't believe I haven't blogged about this before. It is truely one of my favourite live clips of all time.
Some artists are such good entertainers that they can't be contained even though the setting around them are very serious and formal. This is not surprisingly also the case for what I consider to be one of the greatest showmen of all time: Bono of U2.
This clip is from their Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony and as you can see it's filled with their friends in their audience and a very posh black tie event in many ways. Many artists would have just sung their song in touching and beautiful way and then gone home. Bono on the other hand shows just why they are in Rock'n'Roll Hall Of Fame and just dives into the audience and makes it a tribute to them as well. He singes parts of the lyrics to selected members of the audience. I unfortunately is not enough of a U2 fan to know who all of them are, but I am very touched with the lines "You kissed my lips and broke my heart" sung with the arm around his wife. There is magic in the air. There is the jointed effort of four musicians that have been friends and played together for so many years that it just flows out of them. There is amazing timing in all they do and most of all as Bono pops the champagne open in just the right moment of the song. This, my friends, is music deep from the heart and it goes straight in to all of ours. I believe that noone in the world that love music can not respect this sensational moment. Enjoy! And if you have any chance, go and see them live. I promise you that Bono can control an audience of 30 000 with the same force. Been there, experienced it.

Great music videos: U2 -Sweetest Thing

This weekend is U2-weekend on WH1 in Norway and even maybe all over Europe? Anyways.. They have so so many great videos (and songs of course) but it's one that always breaks my heart and makes me shed a tear or two. It's the very very sweet song "Sweetest Thing".

The song was allegedly written by Bono as an apology to his wife Ali Hewson for forgetting her birthday during The Joshua Tree sessions. At Alison's request, proceeds from the single went to her favored charity, Chernobyl Children's Project International. In the video, directed by Kevin Godley, the phrase "I'm sorry" (and some variations) can be spotted. Cameo appearances in the video include Riverdance, Boyzone, Steve Collins, the Artane Boys Band, and the Chippendales. The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., Norman Hewson (Bono's brother), Dik Evans (The Edge's brother), and Alison Hewson, appear in the video as well, along with Bono. More here

Bono really shows how expressive his face can be and he really has his heart on his sleeve and are not so much the usual very cool and untouchable. You can really tell how much emotion it is connected with this song and it's so so cute and so funny. I think my favorite moment might be the little dog with the white flag. A very great idea for a video for a very very cute song. I think any wife in the world would melt when she got such an apology. Enjoy! (And yes, that is his wife in the beginning)