While music’s biggest names are known for what they bring to the stage and the stereo, it’s the things they do in between selling out venues and making platinum records that reveal their true character. No, not the mansion parties and golf outings, but rather the endless array of charities that music’s superstars have created and contributed to over the years. No one asked these artists to help anyone, but they’ve decided to put their wealth towards all the right causes.
Bono
Perhaps the most famous musical philanthropist of all, U2 frontman Bono spends almost as much time traveling the world to raise awareness of AIDS and social injustice as he does playing with his band. He helped create organizations such as DATA, (RED), and the ONE Campaign, and his generosity has gotten him 3 Nobel Peace Prize nominations. Aware of his larger-than-life status, Bono once told Paste Magazine: “I’m a spoiled-rotten rock star. My kids don’t have to worry about schooling or medical bills. In return, there’s a deal. One, don’t bend over. Two, use this spotlight to shine on bigger problems.” Like the rock-star equivalent of Spider-Man, Bono knows the responsibility that comes with his vast influence.
Most New Yorkers claim they know the best pizza joint in town. But tell your fave hub to move on over because recently opened PizzArte will surely give it a run for its money.
Step into this modern Italian resto unlike any other. Forget the red checkered table cloths, forget the dim lighting and noisy children -- this hot new spot is not clinging on to the same ol' Italian restaurant theme. Instead, owners Bruno Cilio and Dario Cipollaro de l'Ero (first time restaraunteurs) opted to decorate with mod tables and lights and walls covered in great Italian artwork (perfect, since it's situated just footsteps away from the MoMA). The artists that are currently being displayed there are Lello Esposito, Luciano Scateni, Giuseppe Falconi and Francesco Manes, all of whom are from Naples. The artwork will rotate every four to six months.
I've always wondered what famous artists do listen at home, or while driving their Escalade. You probably know that a lot of people who work on TV don't actually watch it at home. I was also curious to see if my favorite artists shared my tastes. I was astonished to see that Chris Martin from Coldplay could actually be able to listen some good sh!t (hate Coldplay).
You have here fifty different artists ready to share their Top 10 songs on one theme they care about. Wanna know what MGTM's 10 best psychedelic songs are ? Are you curious to see what king of blues does Mick Jagger listen at home ? I find that pretty entertaining.
After the disappointment of their cancelled show earlier this month, U2 fans finally have something to be excited about. The legendary Irish rockers have made plans to reschedule their concert at Sun Life Stadium. The only downside? The show won’t be put on for another year, June 29, 2011 to be exact.
Tickets from the previous show will be honored next year so be sure not to tear them up in frustration of spending another Bono-less 12 months. Additional tickets will also go on sale once details are finalized.
The Gorillaz are adding another stop on their Plastic Beach tour, the infamous Glastonbury Festival will now feature the demon cartoons after U2 suddenly had to cancel.
The Gorillaz will play on the coveted Pyramid Stage on Friday, June 25th after U2 had to pull out due to a serious back injury to Bono. This will be the only U.K. festival appearance for the Damon Albarn and the Gorillaz, but it will be accompanied by a massive audio-visual spectacle that will completely destroy the Pyramid.
This Friday beginning at 8 p.m. ET, over 100 artists and actors will appear live for "Hope for Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief" telethon which will help benefit the victims of last weeks devastating 7.0 earthquake.
The London show will highlight U2's Bono and The Edge with Jay-Z and Rhianna, while performances in New York will be accompanied by Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Shakira, and Sting. The Los Angeles gig will showcase performances from Alicia Keys, Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews, John Legend, Justin Timberlake, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift.
On the cusp of their marginally successful world tour, the highly influential and often political rock band U2 will be performing a free concert in Berlin during the taping of the MTV European Music Awards on November 5. The concert marks the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. Bono and company will be performing in front of the Brandenburg Gate as the performance is simultaneously broadcasted during the awards ceremony in Berlin’s O2 World arena.
The Berlin Wall, which had both literally and figuratively divided Europe for nearly thirty years, was torn down on November 9, 1989, as the Eastern European Communist regime lost power and succumbed to the forces of Western capitalism. The act of tearing down the divisive barrier symbolized the reunification of Europe as a global entity and enabled a new level of freedom to emerge in the otherwise oppressed and underdeveloped Eastern-block countries. U2’s upcoming performance in Berlin marks, “twenty years almost to the day since the wall came down.”
Yesterday, in honor of Earth Day, a poll was taken to determine the least-environmentally friendly celebrities on GreenDaily.com. Topping the chart was Mariah Carey, who recently flew her personal trainer in from St. Barts. Licensed pilot John Travolta was next on the list due to his collection of private jets.
Leonardo DiCaprio was voted “greenest celebrity” for the second year in a row. The actor recently won Nickelodeon’s first “Big Green Help” award for being vocal about global warming and driving a hybrid car as well as installing solar panels on his home.
Other stars garnering props for their green lifestyles were Oprah, Bono, Brad Pitt and Prince Charles.
To say that Barack Obama’s historical inauguration yesterday was a cause of celebration is more than an understatement. Never before have so many demographics – age, religion, political affiliation, gender- been united. The result? More parties than a documentary on the 70s.
In true form, celebrities were out in force. The broadcasted inaugural balls showcased more superstars than I care to get into, but Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Bono, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Fallout Boy and Jennifer Lopez come to mind. Hope may have been the major theme of the night, but celebration definitely came in a close second. Even off air, the spectacles continued.