The first time I saw U2 was 1985 at Maple Leaf Gardens. Their Unforgetable fire album had come out the previous summer. I think it was March 1985. I remember the close out song was 40 and they slowly trailed it off. Only the crowd kept singing and chanting. It was magical. The lights came up, but we kept chanting "I will sing, sing a new song". We were still singing that song walking down Carleton Street.
The next time i saw them was at the CNE for their Joshua Tree Show. I had pretty damn good seats i recall. That was 87 I believe, maybe 88.
Then in 92, march again, I saw them at MLG for their Auchtung Baby concert series. WITHOUT A DOUBT, THE BEST U2, OR ANY OTHER CONCERT I HAVE EVER SEEN. They were so good I could have cried. They then returned i the summer of 92 to do 2 shows at CNE. Bono closed the night out the night of the first show by singing "Can't help falling in love with you" (the old Elvis presley song.) BUT he did it akapela (I have no idea how you spell that, but it means to sing with only your voice, no back up instruments.)
His voice was crystal clear after 2 hours of the Zoo TV tour. I was amazed that he could do that. I turned to my friend and said that he has a gift from God himself.
I then saw them again for their popmart tour, and a couple of times for their last tour. Sadly Bono's voice was wrecked on both evenings (the second show at ACC and Hamilton at Copps) I think that he is early 40's now and he still tries to keep up the same concert schedule as he did in his 20's. He just can't do that any more. His voice has also changed (which is natural as you get older, eg Mick Jagger who sings like 2 octives lower now than he did way back when.) And taking up smoking cigars at age 30 something is just plain stupid.
But still, without a doubt, the finest band on the planet today. No-one can hold a candle to them for shear talent. There is a chemistry between the band members, and despite the fact that Bono writes 95% of the songs, all royalties are split 5 equal ways between the four band members and their manager - Paul McGuiness. They have been putting out music since 1980 with their first album - Boy, when they were maybe 19 or 20 years old themselves.
Bono's real name is Paul Hewson, and if he is in town next week, he will most likely stay at the Four Seasons. He is also known to check out the Art Gallery when in town, and the ROM.
