My Conversation With The Edge

dublin · 07-23-2011, 11:43 AM

Well the meet and greet with Edge in NJ exceeded my expectations. What an amazingly gracious guy.

I arrived at the event and had access to the Round Room. This was a bar that held about 150 people, mostly people who know people who know the band in some fashion. There were free drinks, food, and a gated off area outside under The Claw. I waited there for my U2 Management contact.

When she came to get me we walked down the corridors to the locker room which they had transformed into a maze of smaller rooms through pipes and drapes. I was put in one of these rooms. There were two small leather couches, a cooler with beer, a table with wine, and some food.

After about a 10 minute wait in came the man, The Edge (or just Edge as he prefers to be called...I asked). It turned out the charity I donated to was for the school his daughter attends. She had leukemia and he talked about how the school helped her through a complete recovery.

After that I told him I was sure he was nervous and to take his time, that I was just a regular guy like him and he could ask me whatever he wanted. He laughed and we continued on.

I asked about when we would see a new album and he wasn't sure. He didn't think it would be this year and it could be a while. Right now they are going to get a little rest after the tour and then start figuring things out. Currently there are no deadlines set for a new album. I asked how the tracks with Danger Mouse were coming and he said that DM was the best producer they have ever worked with. I paused and said that is quite a statement. He agreed an stuck by his assessment. I told him I could not wait to hear some of it.

We talked about Spiderman Turn Off The Dark as I had seen it the night before. He said it was time for he and Bono to step back a bit and let the actors do their thing. He talked about all of the talent that the performers have. I mentioned there were at least six different Spiderman's in the show. He said that each Spiderman was an acrobat and that Reeve Carney was never actually in the costume (except for a scene or two when the mask is off). He and Bono made a rule that Reeve would never sing in tights.

I shared how much I enjoyed It Might Get Loud and my favorite part is where he is showing that the breakdown of Elevation is really just two notes. Edge corrected me and said it's actually three notes. I said wow, I've seen that film several times, why was I thinking you said two notes. He put his hand on my shoulder (and this was the best part of the night) looked at me and said, it's o.k. Doug, what's a note between friends (:

I told him how much I was enjoying the Achtung Baby songs on this leg of the tour. He said they are re-issuing AB for the 20 year anniversary and the same director for It Might Get Loud just wrapped a film with the band commemorating it. He said that this film really captures the essence of what it is like to be in a band.

I then thanked him for his loyalty in three areas, the music, his Christianity, and to the others in the band. He seemed touched and said, wow thanks.

I asked him if he thought there would ever be another band as big as U2. especially due to the segmentation of audiences with new technologies. He said that when people get something for free (like music) they do not value it and that needs to change. He shared he was most excited by some of the new subscription models he's seen, the ones where for $9 a month you can get unlimited music. He said if hey can make that technology easier to use there would be enough revenue for labels to starting taking more risk again and he truly hoped there would be other bands as big as U2 in the future.

Lastly I asked if future tours would be on the same scale as 360. All he could say at this point is that it would be different and that they are not interested in doing the same thing again. I asked if that meant indoor arenas with a scaled down stage more like the Elevation tour. He said he could see them going that direction, however they had not decided anything yet.

At that point he asked if there was anything I would like signed. He signed my ticket, my backstage pass, and my Spiderman Playbill. We then took a couple of pics together. My favorite is the one is below where we are both laughing, although I can't remember about what!

I collect U2 sunglasses so before he left I pulled out a replica pair of the Viking Fly sunglasses that Bono wore during ZooTV. Edge held them smiled and said he hadn't seen these in years. I asked if he thought Bono would sign them. He put me in touch with his PA before he left and asked her to take care of it.

He was gracious, kind, and very easy to talk to. I never felt as if I received canned answers or he was fulfilling an obligation. When I looked at my watch I couldn't believe that we had spent 20 minutes together. This was about an hour before they went on stage. I'll remember it always.

I know this is long but I wanted to document al the details for you. I probably wont get this close again for a while, if ever. I hope you enjoyed reading this.

Oh, and regarding those sunglasses...I received a text mid-show from the PA saying she had them! I picked them up in the morning at the Hotel and they were beautiful. Based on this experience I am happy to report that both U2 and the people in their organization are a class act all the way around. They really do care about the fans and that means a lot to me.

Galeongirl · 07-23-2011, 11:48 AM

Wow sounds like you had a brilliant experience!

And cool you asked him so much, great info about that AB film!

Jeannieco · 07-23-2011, 12:35 PM

Wow, that's fantastic man!

Congratulations!
Was this in Chicago?
Just curious about the school you donated to, what city was that located...NY?
How great you got to meet privately! Great questions too!

kafrun · 07-23-2011, 06:35 PM

That is amazing! Can you post a link to the picture for those of us who are no longer premium?

one4u2 · 07-23-2011, 06:46 PM

That's amazing! I wish I knew about this Charity auction although something tells me it would've been out of my $ range after this tour

I love the idea of a possible scaled down arena tour..that's my favorite way of seeing the band..A stripped down show just up and playing

corianderstem · 07-24-2011, 11:42 PM

What a great story - thank you so much for sharing that! (And for asking such good questions!

)

MissVelvetDress_75 · 07-25-2011, 12:07 AM

last unicorn · 07-25-2011, 06:09 AM

I loved reading your story, congratulations

What a cool guy Edge seems to be. Great that you managed to ask him so many questions.

arw · 07-25-2011, 11:20 AM

what an awesome story! Thanks for sharing.

loner · 07-25-2011, 12:06 PM

That's great! I'd like to meet him too.But I'd hardly manage to say anything to him I'm afraid.

Anji · 07-25-2011, 04:55 PM

Excellent!

RavenBlue · 07-25-2011, 08:09 PM

So awesome

U2Girl1978 · 07-25-2011, 11:42 PM

That's awesome!!!

GracelandHarley · 07-26-2011, 09:43 PM

Magnificent!

Explorer10 · 07-26-2011, 11:21 PM

Wow! That sounds like an amazing experience. I can imagine it would have been a moment that cannot be described with words.

Babyface82 · 07-27-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kafrun

That is amazing! Can you post a link to the picture for those of us who are no longer premium?

dublin · 07-27-2011, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Babyface82

I just used Flickr for the first time to post these, hopefully this link will work: Flickr: Dublinroo's Photostream

Enjoy!!!

Babyface82 · 07-28-2011, 05:05 AM

great pic Dublin!
Edge, what a nice guy

EdgeFest · 07-28-2011, 05:45 PM

I love that picture of you and Mr. Edge way too much, DD! Still so very happy for you because you are so deserving. Was such a pleasure to meet you this summer - you made our Chicago/NY experiences extra amazing

dublin · 07-28-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdgeFest

I love that picture of you and Mr. Edge way too much, DD! Still so very happy for you because you are so deserving. Was such a pleasure to meet you this summer - you made our Chicago/NY experiences extra amazing

YOU Rock my friend. Thanks so much for the kind words. It means a lot coming from you. Here's to many more new memories and new U2 experiences together!!! I'll always remember the bathroom/limo mad dash!!

07-23-2011, 11:43 AM	#1
dublin The Fly Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Chicago, IL USA Posts: 239 Local Time: 03:45 PM	My Conversation With The Edge Well the meet and greet with Edge in NJ exceeded my expectations. What an amazingly gracious guy. I arrived at the event and had access to the Round Room. This was a bar that held about 150 people, mostly people who know people who know the band in some fashion. There were free drinks, food, and a gated off area outside under The Claw. I waited there for my U2 Management contact. When she came to get me we walked down the corridors to the locker room which they had transformed into a maze of smaller rooms through pipes and drapes. I was put in one of these rooms. There were two small leather couches, a cooler with beer, a table with wine, and some food. After about a 10 minute wait in came the man, The Edge (or just Edge as he prefers to be called...I asked). It turned out the charity I donated to was for the school his daughter attends. She had leukemia and he talked about how the school helped her through a complete recovery. After that I told him I was sure he was nervous and to take his time, that I was just a regular guy like him and he could ask me whatever he wanted. He laughed and we continued on. I asked about when we would see a new album and he wasn't sure. He didn't think it would be this year and it could be a while. Right now they are going to get a little rest after the tour and then start figuring things out. Currently there are no deadlines set for a new album. I asked how the tracks with Danger Mouse were coming and he said that DM was the best producer they have ever worked with. I paused and said that is quite a statement. He agreed an stuck by his assessment. I told him I could not wait to hear some of it. We talked about Spiderman Turn Off The Dark as I had seen it the night before. He said it was time for he and Bono to step back a bit and let the actors do their thing. He talked about all of the talent that the performers have. I mentioned there were at least six different Spiderman's in the show. He said that each Spiderman was an acrobat and that Reeve Carney was never actually in the costume (except for a scene or two when the mask is off). He and Bono made a rule that Reeve would never sing in tights. I shared how much I enjoyed It Might Get Loud and my favorite part is where he is showing that the breakdown of Elevation is really just two notes. Edge corrected me and said it's actually three notes. I said wow, I've seen that film several times, why was I thinking you said two notes. He put his hand on my shoulder (and this was the best part of the night) looked at me and said, it's o.k. Doug, what's a note between friends (: I told him how much I was enjoying the Achtung Baby songs on this leg of the tour. He said they are re-issuing AB for the 20 year anniversary and the same director for It Might Get Loud just wrapped a film with the band commemorating it. He said that this film really captures the essence of what it is like to be in a band. I then thanked him for his loyalty in three areas, the music, his Christianity, and to the others in the band. He seemed touched and said, wow thanks. I asked him if he thought there would ever be another band as big as U2. especially due to the segmentation of audiences with new technologies. He said that when people get something for free (like music) they do not value it and that needs to change. He shared he was most excited by some of the new subscription models he's seen, the ones where for $9 a month you can get unlimited music. He said if hey can make that technology easier to use there would be enough revenue for labels to starting taking more risk again and he truly hoped there would be other bands as big as U2 in the future. Lastly I asked if future tours would be on the same scale as 360. All he could say at this point is that it would be different and that they are not interested in doing the same thing again. I asked if that meant indoor arenas with a scaled down stage more like the Elevation tour. He said he could see them going that direction, however they had not decided anything yet. At that point he asked if there was anything I would like signed. He signed my ticket, my backstage pass, and my Spiderman Playbill. We then took a couple of pics together. My favorite is the one is below where we are both laughing, although I can't remember about what! I collect U2 sunglasses so before he left I pulled out a replica pair of the Viking Fly sunglasses that Bono wore during ZooTV. Edge held them smiled and said he hadn't seen these in years. I asked if he thought Bono would sign them. He put me in touch with his PA before he left and asked her to take care of it. He was gracious, kind, and very easy to talk to. I never felt as if I received canned answers or he was fulfilling an obligation. When I looked at my watch I couldn't believe that we had spent 20 minutes together. This was about an hour before they went on stage. I'll remember it always. I know this is long but I wanted to document al the details for you. I probably wont get this close again for a while, if ever. I hope you enjoyed reading this. Oh, and regarding those sunglasses...I received a text mid-show from the PA saying she had them! I picked them up in the morning at the Hotel and they were beautiful. Based on this experience I am happy to report that both U2 and the people in their organization are a class act all the way around. They really do care about the fans and that means a lot to me. Attached Thumbnails __________________

07-25-2011, 11:20 AM	#9
arw Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: walking around 10,000 lakes Posts: 27,320 Local Time: 03:45 PM	what an awesome story! Thanks for sharing. __________________

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-23-2011, 12:35 PM	#3
Jeannieco Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: If the moonlight caught you crying on Killiney Bay oh sing your song let your song be sung Posts: 4,992 Local Time: 01:45 PM	Wow, that's fantastic man! Congratulations! Was this in Chicago? Just curious about the school you donated to, what city was that located...NY? How great you got to meet privately! Great questions too!

07-23-2011, 06:35 PM	#4
kafrun Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Upside-down Posts: 19,644 Local Time: 02:45 PM	That is amazing! Can you post a link to the picture for those of us who are no longer premium?

07-23-2011, 06:46 PM	#5
one4u2 ONE love, blood, life Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Bono's Sleeves Posts: 12,541 Local Time: 03:45 PM	That's amazing! I wish I knew about this Charity auction although something tells me it would've been out of my $ range after this tour I love the idea of a possible scaled down arena tour..that's my favorite way of seeing the band..A stripped down show just up and playing

07-24-2011, 11:42 PM	#6
corianderstem Blue Crack Distributor Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Seattle Posts: 64,498 Local Time: 01:45 PM	What a great story - thank you so much for sharing that! (And for asking such good questions! )

07-25-2011, 12:07 AM	#7
MissVelvetDress_75 Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: basking in my post-concert glow still mesmerized by the orbit of his hips..Also Holding Bono Close as he requested. Posts: 25,776 Local Time: 04:45 PM

07-25-2011, 06:09 AM	#8
last unicorn Blue Crack Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: lost in poetry Posts: 19,446 Local Time: 09:45 PM	I loved reading your story, congratulations What a cool guy Edge seems to be. Great that you managed to ask him so many questions.

07-25-2011, 12:06 PM	#10
loner Refugee Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Estonia Posts: 1,249 Local Time: 10:45 PM	That's great! I'd like to meet him too.But I'd hardly manage to say anything to him I'm afraid.

07-25-2011, 04:55 PM	#11
Anji New Yorker Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Middlesex, UK Posts: 2,683 Local Time: 09:45 PM	Excellent!

07-25-2011, 08:09 PM	#12
RavenBlue Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The majestic Canuckian wilderness Posts: 17,103 Local Time: 05:45 PM	So awesome

07-25-2011, 11:42 PM	#13
U2Girl1978 Blue Crack Addict Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: At the altar of the dark star Posts: 19,374 Local Time: 04:45 PM	That's awesome!!!

07-26-2011, 09:43 PM	#14
GracelandHarley Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Larry Mullen Circle Posts: 4,983 Local Time: 03:45 PM	Magnificent!

07-26-2011, 11:21 PM	#15
Explorer10 The Fly Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 36 Local Time: 04:45 PM	Wow! That sounds like an amazing experience. I can imagine it would have been a moment that cannot be described with words.

07-28-2011, 05:05 AM	#18
Babyface82 Refugee Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 1,524 Local Time: 03:45 PM	great pic Dublin! Edge, what a nice guy

07-28-2011, 05:45 PM	#19
EdgeFest Refugee Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ready for the laughing gas Posts: 2,441 Local Time: 02:45 PM	I love that picture of you and Mr. Edge way too much, DD! Still so very happy for you because you are so deserving. Was such a pleasure to meet you this summer - you made our Chicago/NY experiences extra amazing