Bono's voice worst moments

[DU2]

Hello everybody!

I've read a lot of threads about Bono's best performances, the best moments of his voice and so on, there's been for sure a lot of talk about it.

But I thought that it would be interesting to talk about his worst moments, the shows or the years/periods in which his voice struggled the most.
We all know B. has had his hard times.

So, I'll start!

I think One from Mexico 1997 shows a really vocally tired Bono. In some parts he just can't hold it.


p.s. Videos are welcomed!

 

[digitize]

Hmm, your bad moment is one of my favorite live performances in U2's history. Bono's voice isn't the strongest, I suppose, but in my opinion, it complements that particular song well. In the Sarajevo performance of one, Bono's voice had completely collapsed (much more than Mexico), and I think it adds an amazing element to the song.

 

[Blue Room]

Without a doubt the two worst that jump to my mind are December 18, 1989 Amsterdam and the Sarajevo 1997 shows.

When he restarts God Part II at the Amsterdam show and literally screeches the verse in frustration over not being able to sing it even makes my throat hurt.

 

[LadySpinHead]

What's interesting about Bono's voice is that when he's in top form and has full range, his voice carries with intensity and power. When he's at his worst, his voice is raw and emotional, which has its own type of intensity and can add a layer to a song that maybe isn't there when his voice is perfect. I think the only times his voice really flat out bothers me is when he's out of tune or struggles to find the notes or the melody. I can't think of any offhand because those particular performances are pretty forgettable to me.

 

[Galeongirl]

Without a doubt the two worst that jump to my mind are December 18, 1989 Amsterdam and the Sarajevo 1997 shows.

When he restarts God Part II at the Amsterdam show and literally screeches the verse in frustration over not being able to sing it even makes my throat hurt.

Agreed. That Amsterdam show makes me cringe, can't imagine how much it must've hurt to sing like that.

Same with Sarajevo. During some songs he tries to belt out, like during I Still haven't Found, and you just hear his voice break. His voice might've sucked, but it made the show all the more powerful.

 

[The Panther]

As far a live performances go, I haven't heard as many recordings as some of the more obsessive fans on here, but there was one I heard from Popmart which was quite bad. I think it was one of the Edmonton, Alberta shows in summer 1997 (I was actually invited to go to one of those concerts, but declined), but I don't know which one. Anyway, it's the only U2 show I've heard (except for some of the 1979-early 1980 ones) where Bono's voice actually prevented my enjoying the recording.

As far as studio recordings go, I don't like the way his voice sounds on 'Moment of Surrender' or 'Breathe'.

 

[subnet]

the "i've got a frog in my throat" moment....boston elevation tour dvd was it?

 

[digitize]

the "i've got a frog in my throat" moment....boston elevation tour dvd was it?

Vertigo Chicago, during Elevation.

 

[prbiker15]

the "i've got a frog in my throat" moment....boston elevation tour dvd was it?

Vertigo Chicago, during Elevation.

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

I consider one of his worst moments as well, but not the worst.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

thanks for reminding me why i never watch that dvd

 

[theu2fly]

A good portion of the 360 DVD is pretty bad... Bono sounds either tired or just doesn't give a shit during the entire performance.

 

[prbiker15]

A good portion of the 360 DVD is pretty bad... Bono sounds either tired or just doesn't give a shit during the entire performance.

He seemed to be hoarse towards the end of the first North American leg, and it was evident during the Rose Bowl DVD.

And, I don't really watch the Vertigo DVD that much either. In fact, hardly.

 

[theu2fly]

He seemed to be hoarse towards the end of the first North American leg, and it was evident during the Rose Bowl DVD.

And, I don't really watch the Vertigo DVD that much either. In fact, hardly.

Vertigo DVD has some good moments, but most of it is... well, bad -- I'm certain that those 20,000 people in 2006 weren't at ANY of the 360 shows. That's for sure!

 

[LemonMelon]

I dunno, when it comes to mentioning Sarajevo 1997, the Chicago DVD, I can't forget that he was physically ill for them. When I saw U2 a week or so after the Chicago gig, Bono was clearly getting over a cold. Can't really give him shit for that, at least he manned up and went out there.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

A good portion of the 360 DVD is pretty bad... Bono sounds either tired or just doesn't give a shit during the entire performance.

Define "a good portion"

i haven't watched the DVD in a while, rather i like my 360 memories to be that of the 4 shows i saw live and in person, which all sounded great. Though i will admit Bono sounded better this year than he did in 2009...

 

[theedgeu2]

I've always thought that on the 360 DVD that Bono's voice gets really good sounding around Unknown Caller. I feel like he found his groove at that point and the rest of the DVD is really good. Although I love the entire 360 DVD, great DVD.

 

[last unicorn]

A good portion of the 360 DVD is pretty bad... Bono sounds either tired or just doesn't give a shit during the entire performance.

True, but it's still great, guess they kind of "tweaked" the sound to improve it. I have never been able to understand why they would film the very last show of a long and exhausting tour for a DVD release. It was obvious that Bono's voice was tired and a bit hoarse, though it was still good, but not compared to many, many other 360 shows.

Vertigo DVD has some good moments, but most of it is... well, bad -- I'm certain that those 20,000 people in 2006 weren't at ANY of the 360 shows. That's for sure!

I don't agree. First, the show was filmed in May 2005, Bono was, as many reported, a little sick that day, but I still find the concert great and I still think he had a better voice during that leg of the tour than he did later on when the Vertigo tour moved on. He returned to a very good voice in 2006 when they did the postponed last tour leg after a long pause and rest. Vertigo tour wasn't that great, voice-vice, but it had its moment.

IMO, Pop and Elevation were bad, it's almost hurtful to listen to many of these shows and realise how much Bono struggles there, 360 was, for most part, really great. I hope Bono will be able to keep his good voice for the next album and tour, if there should be one.

 

[Yahweh_OMG]

Vertigo 2006 in Japan is probably his best voice since 92 (360 tour included)

 

[Dfit00]

the "i've got a frog in my throat" moment....boston elevation tour dvd was it?

I think that one was a joke, not really sure if he really lost it at that moment.

 

[DU2]

I can't understand why they should release offical DVDs of shows in which Bono's voice sucks, or just has some difficulties.
Examples: Chicago dvd, or 360 at the Rose Bowl, as you said, Bono's voice is quite weak in both those gigs. I would say Slane Castle too, i find his voice there really hoarse and tired.
Ever heard Vertigo tour in Rio de Janeiro? When they play Streets Bono just whispers the first lines. There are for sure other examples.

I don't know, I find it really strange. If I were Bono I would never let those shows be released. It's like ''Heeey fans, listen what my voice sounds like when I'm ill or exhausted!''
Sometimes it could be funny, like the frog in the throat moment, sometimes epic, One from Slane Castle is amazing despite Bono's vocal condition, but there are lots of cases that make me think just ''Oh Bono what's that strange sound coming out from your mouth?''

 

[Blue Room]

I don't think Bono was all that ill during the Chicago Vertigo shoot. The problem was that during the day off prior to the shows they shot, he probably did not rest. Then they proceeded to do a 2 1/2 hour soundcheck before the show on the 9th and a 2 hour check on the 10th. Basically like doing 3 1/2 shows over two days. I think his voice could not take it. I still don't think he sounds that bad on it. But I think all of those things contribute to him being somewhat hoarse for that shoot.

The main problem witht he Vertigo Chicago DVD is that it was shot too early in the tour. They were still getting some of the songs down at that time. They should have postponed the DVD shoot. But Chicago came up much earlier in the touring schedule than was originally planned due to the rescheduling and they had already planned to shoot there before the rescheduling occurred.

 

[Mrs. Garrison]

damn, i shouldn't have drank that bottle of wine this morning.

 

[The_acrobat]

Something I admire... other than the Amsterdam shows in 1989, U2 have NEVER cancelled / postponed a show due to illness (Edge's daughter and Bono's back are unique and understandable circumstances). Bono's never pulled an Axl Rose or a Scott Weiland and just cancelled the show the day of because he's not feeling well. Even at Sarajevo 1997, when he knew the whole world would be listening, he still went on. They don't even stick on a recording and have Bono lip sync... they have too much integrity for that. I admire them for that!

 

[U2girl]

For a particular night...Sarajevo wins. I don't think Edge ever had to step up as much as he did on that show.

Full tour - Popmart, easily.

 

[PhilsFan]

I'd take Popmart Bono over Elevation Bono every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Yeah, you have some bad nights like Sarajevo, but you have really good nights like Leeds that Elevation could never touch.

 

[Moser]

I'd rather have Bono struggling to sing than to have him just move through the motions.

When you see a star like Bono have a difficult time, it moves you in a way. It's very humbling to watch.

 

[cobl04]

I'd take Popmart Bono over Elevation Bono every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Yeah, you have some bad nights like Sarajevo, but you have really good nights like Leeds that Elevation could never touch.

The Leeds performance of Miami is untouchable.

 

[djerdap]

Leeds performance of any song is untouchable, at least as far as Popmart and anything that came afterwards is concerned. Amazing show.

 

[Galeongirl]

I'd take Popmart Bono over Elevation Bono every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Yeah, you have some bad nights like Sarajevo, but you have really good nights like Leeds that Elevation could never touch.

QFT.

 

[U2girl]

I'd rather have Bono struggling to sing than to have him just move through the motions.

When you see a star like Bono have a difficult time, it moves you in a way. It's very humbling to watch.

Mostly, I just like Bono not sounding like he's on helium (Popmart).

Of course he wasn't great on Elevation, but I take that tone over the said helium any time. And at least something resembling passable high tones and a bottom end.