Bono ‘stands by’ billionaire as wedding singer

U2 star Bono became a wedding singer last weekend as a favour to a billionaire.

The singer took to the microphone to deliver an emotional version of the soul classic, ‘Stand By Me’, in Omaha, Newbraska, at the wedding reception of Warren Buffet’s granddaughter Emily Greenberg and her new husband Tom Threlkeld.

One of the guests posted a video online of the star delivering a version of the song made famous by Ben E King and John Lennon, among others. It was captioned: “Just your normal Omaha wedding!”

Emily, a huge fan of the Irish band, was reportedly thrilled when her granddad persuaded the singer to get onstage.

The Omaha World Herald reported that the performance took place in front of 285 wedding guests.

Wearing a white straw pork pie hat, his customary shades, and dressed in black, Bono joined the wedding band onstage and interacted with them all, smiling as he harmonised with the female backing singers.

Before the song finished, he thanked the band, embraced the bride on the dance floor, and returned to his seat — to rapturous applause.

Buffet, who is estimated to be worth €40bn, and his children, Susie, Howard, and Peter, all attended the wedding. Also in attendance were Emily’s uncles Howard and Peter Buffett.

The Buffets and Bono have become close while working together on similar philanthropic causes.

Susie Buffett serves on the board of the DATA charity Bono co-founded in 2002 to focus on Aids, debt, and trade in Africa.