Tom Dunne: Damn the begrudgers - we're all excited about Bono's memoir

I first saw U2 play at Dublin's Dandelion Market in 1979 - even then, they created a different buzz

Seeing U2 at the Dandelion Market in Dublin was one of those 'I was there' moments. Picture: RTÉ

Fri, 20 May, 2022 - 15:00

Tom Dunne is a music-lover extraordinaire who, as well as presenting radio and TV shows, can also be seen in the wild as the lead singer with Something Happens.

Bono is publishing a memoir, Surrender, in November. I have to admit, I am aghast at some of the reaction to this news. “Harrumphs,” could be heard all over Ireland. “What now?” people asked. “What further details of his world peace-seeking/tax compliant exploits will we hear now?” All I could say was, “hold your whist!” These naysayers only know ‘Famous Bono’, which is fair enough as he’s been famous since before most of the world was born. They only know the Bono who is, to quote Joey Ramone, “friends with the Vatican, friends with the Pope.” It was not always so.

On the day news broke of the memoir, a photo of U2 playing the Dandelion Market, May 12, 1979, appeared online. You can see the heads of many fans in the shot. Mine, could well, be one of them.