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U2 could be as influential as Bono
Alastair Jamieson
U2 FRONT man Bono is rated as the most powerful man in music - and not just because of his soaring vocals, according to a poll of top music industry executives.
The Irishman tops the list, to be published in music magazine Q next week, because of his high-profile pronouncements on political issues ranging from Third World debt to the enlargement of the European Union.
The singer, real name Paul Hewson, has used his fame to gain access to the world?s political leaders and has even met the Pope. Earlier this year Time magazine?s cover had the banner headline: "Can Bono Save the World?"
Bono, 42, usually seen with his trademark wraparound blue sunglasses, not only makes a success of lobbying politicians but his band continues to enjoy worldwide hits 25-years after it was formed.
Earlier this year he appeared alongside President Bush at the announcement of a historic $5 billion aid package for the world?s s poorest countries. Ostensibly just another photo opportunity, the event was the culmination of weeks spent by the singer courting Washington?s political elite.
But the list will perhaps disappoint champions of high profile women. The highest-ranking woman in the survey is 69-year-old Yoko Ono, who holds joint ninth place with Sir Paul McCartney. And Madonna, whose changing musical styles and film roles have made her an icon of the past two decades, is listed at number 31, two places behind Australian former soap star Kylie Minogue.
Runner-up in the poll was Doug Morris, 64, head of the world?s largest record company, Universal.
Third was controversial rapper Eminem - seen as influential for his challenging song lyrics - while at number four is L Lowry Mays, the founder of the US entertainment giant, Clear Channel.
Also in the top ten are the late Kurt Cobain, seen to have taken underground rock into the mainstream, and Simon Fuller - creator of the Spice Girls.
Robbie Williams, who recently signed Britain?s biggest ever record deal for ?80 million, came in at 24.
Simon Cowell, famous for his role as a bitchy judge in Pop Idol, was placed at 28 ahead of Moby (30).
Elvis Presley, whose songs are still topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic 25 years after he died, was ranked at 44, one behind the Gallagher brothers of Oasis fame.
Bono?s involvement with charity work began in 1984 when U2 took part in Band Aid and Live Aid, Bob Geldof?s Ethiopian famine-relief efforts. Unlike many of the stars who took part in the events, Bono travelled to Ethiopia with his wife, Alison Stewart, to find out just how bad the African famine was. The couple subsequently spent six weeks working at an orphanage.
More recently, he has been at the forefront of moves to reduce Third World debt and remains the high-profile spokesman for Drop the Debt, the alliance formerly known as Jubilee 2000.
In the Time interview earlier this year, he said of his campaigning efforts: "I?m tired of dreaming. I?m into doing at the moment. U2 is about the impossible. Politics is the art of the possible."
As well as President Bush, Bono has spoken to Tony Blair and the former German chancellor Helmut Kohl - whom he urged to take stronger action against racism in Germany.
His political influence is linked to the enduring popularity of U2, who have been making records for more than two decades yet remain at the cutting edge of the music scene.
Not all pop artists have proved to be a welcome influence on the political scene. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was lampooned when she became a special ambassador for the United Nations and became embroiled in a general election campaign row last year by appearing in a Labour Party political broadcast.
Last year U2 won a special achievement award at the Brit awards, and sales of more than 100 million albums worldwide underline the fact that U2 can still perform the rare feat of filling stadiums on both sides of the Atlantic.
The song, Beautiful Day, was chosen as the theme for ITV?s Premiership football programme.
?2002 scotsman.com
U2 could be as influential as Bono
Alastair Jamieson
U2 FRONT man Bono is rated as the most powerful man in music - and not just because of his soaring vocals, according to a poll of top music industry executives.
The Irishman tops the list, to be published in music magazine Q next week, because of his high-profile pronouncements on political issues ranging from Third World debt to the enlargement of the European Union.
The singer, real name Paul Hewson, has used his fame to gain access to the world?s political leaders and has even met the Pope. Earlier this year Time magazine?s cover had the banner headline: "Can Bono Save the World?"
Bono, 42, usually seen with his trademark wraparound blue sunglasses, not only makes a success of lobbying politicians but his band continues to enjoy worldwide hits 25-years after it was formed.
Earlier this year he appeared alongside President Bush at the announcement of a historic $5 billion aid package for the world?s s poorest countries. Ostensibly just another photo opportunity, the event was the culmination of weeks spent by the singer courting Washington?s political elite.
But the list will perhaps disappoint champions of high profile women. The highest-ranking woman in the survey is 69-year-old Yoko Ono, who holds joint ninth place with Sir Paul McCartney. And Madonna, whose changing musical styles and film roles have made her an icon of the past two decades, is listed at number 31, two places behind Australian former soap star Kylie Minogue.
Runner-up in the poll was Doug Morris, 64, head of the world?s largest record company, Universal.
Third was controversial rapper Eminem - seen as influential for his challenging song lyrics - while at number four is L Lowry Mays, the founder of the US entertainment giant, Clear Channel.
Also in the top ten are the late Kurt Cobain, seen to have taken underground rock into the mainstream, and Simon Fuller - creator of the Spice Girls.
Robbie Williams, who recently signed Britain?s biggest ever record deal for ?80 million, came in at 24.
Simon Cowell, famous for his role as a bitchy judge in Pop Idol, was placed at 28 ahead of Moby (30).
Elvis Presley, whose songs are still topping the charts on both sides of the Atlantic 25 years after he died, was ranked at 44, one behind the Gallagher brothers of Oasis fame.
Bono?s involvement with charity work began in 1984 when U2 took part in Band Aid and Live Aid, Bob Geldof?s Ethiopian famine-relief efforts. Unlike many of the stars who took part in the events, Bono travelled to Ethiopia with his wife, Alison Stewart, to find out just how bad the African famine was. The couple subsequently spent six weeks working at an orphanage.
More recently, he has been at the forefront of moves to reduce Third World debt and remains the high-profile spokesman for Drop the Debt, the alliance formerly known as Jubilee 2000.
In the Time interview earlier this year, he said of his campaigning efforts: "I?m tired of dreaming. I?m into doing at the moment. U2 is about the impossible. Politics is the art of the possible."
As well as President Bush, Bono has spoken to Tony Blair and the former German chancellor Helmut Kohl - whom he urged to take stronger action against racism in Germany.
His political influence is linked to the enduring popularity of U2, who have been making records for more than two decades yet remain at the cutting edge of the music scene.
Not all pop artists have proved to be a welcome influence on the political scene. Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell was lampooned when she became a special ambassador for the United Nations and became embroiled in a general election campaign row last year by appearing in a Labour Party political broadcast.
Last year U2 won a special achievement award at the Brit awards, and sales of more than 100 million albums worldwide underline the fact that U2 can still perform the rare feat of filling stadiums on both sides of the Atlantic.
The song, Beautiful Day, was chosen as the theme for ITV?s Premiership football programme.
?2002 scotsman.com
