Hi, Hanover. So you'd have to see him do something outrageous like get multiple face piercings and tattoos and dreadlocks? Well, I hope not!
So what you're saying is that his inside changes are tied to his outside changes and he's done with drastic changing on the inside, is that it? I have always believed Bono's outside changes were tied to his inside ones. Some have inisisted that 'it's still Bono is Bono is Bono' no matter what he looks like, but I disagree. I am a veteran fan too, of 21 years now, but from the US instead of UK like you. I have always had a feeling for Bono and I do think his outside changes reflected inside changes. Some I liked better than others. I admit to not caring for the looks of "Pop" Bono, but it wasn't just his looks, something inside of him had changed, his attitude, his personality, and it showed on his face and came out in interviews, and it was like a different person, one that I didn't care for as I had loved the others. I think the ZOOTV Bono was also another total change on the inside for him, he was more arrogant, trying to act 'cool', and hiding the emotion in his beautiful eyes behind dark shades. I think that's one reason he started wearing them, not only to look cool but to keep us from reading what was in his eyes because they always give him away. Though Elevation Bono was 'soft and cuddly', very reflective, emotional and loveable, I noticed there was just something missing from his eyes that used to be there, something that I loved in the 80's. It was ironic that I saw an interview in which Bono said the same thing, that looking at an exhibition of pics of himself he noticed that something was gone from the eyes, just what I said! He called it a certain innocence, something he thought was a bad thing and tried hard to get rid of, then found out it wasn't bad at all.
Bono has gone through many stages, the young deeply religious boy, the angry young man, the thoughtful, sensitive artist, the brash, arrogant rock star, the anti-Bono, the it's okay to be Bono after all. He still wants to change the world, but instead of waving a flag he's beating the politicians at their own game. So has he finished changing on the inside? None of us ever will be. But is he at a stage in his career where he probably won't do anything shocking in his looks? Well, I hope not. But he does continue to change his looks in some ways, he seems to be determined never to look the same, but I'm glad he's doing while staying in bounds of good looks and good taste.
While it's true that they have attracted new generations with their music, no matter the age group I still think it takes a certain kind of person to be a U2 fan, something on the inside that has nothing to do with age. The kind of person who likes rapmetal is never going to be a U2 fan, so I hope they never adopt that look and sound that doesn't suit them trying to 'appeal to a younger audience and bring in new fans.' They will only be made fun of, look at the old farts up there posing as something they're not. So, if what Bono is now IS Bono, inside and out, yes, stay with it, because it's not a bad thing at all. It's a wonderful thing. U2 will always be loved by enough people of all ages all over the world with good taste, they don't need those people.
I have thought that one of the reasons the album is taking so long to come out is that maybe they have nothing else to say to us right now? They have reached a stage in their lives and careers where they are happy and are enjoying it. I'm sure they'll wait until the album is something they're proud of before they put it out. It will be something that is filled with what is in their hearts and souls and minds, and that's all any of us can ask.
Isn't it interesting how this band brings out so much thought and feelings in their fans? Yes, the pics are hot and the music is good. But U2 go beyond that, they touch our lives, they make us think, they make us feel. That's very special.