Bono Biography

Fast Facts

• First named one of Time Magazine's 'Most Influential People' in 2004, as well as their 'Person of the Year' for 2005
• Since the late '90s, he has become involved with dozens of charitable organizations campaigning for third-world issues including the AIDS pandemic in Africa
• Unable to decide what religion their children should be raised under, his parents agreed that their first child would be raised Anglican and the second Catholic
• Quote: "The world is more malleable than you think․ We can bend it into a better shape․ Ask big questions, demand big answers․"
• Quote: "Overcoming my dad telling me that I could never amount to anything is what has made me the megalomaniac that you see today․"
• In 1976, after responding to a flyer made by Larry Mullen who was seeking to form a band, the group began to bond and started writing their own material after growing tired of hard rock and guitar-centric songs
• Solely responsible for writing U2's lyrics, he often times sparks controversy with mention of hidden political themes and personal heartache
• Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in 2003
• Admits that he always wears sunglasses because his eyes are extremely sensitive to light and they tend to swell up when photographers take too many pictures of him with bright flashes
• Member of a surrealist street gang as a boy, he was given the nickname of 'Bono Vox' by friend Gavin Friday, meaning 'good voice' in Latin