Bono:The Forrest Gump of Eulogies
by Steve Watters on 07/07/2008 at 2:18 PM
Over the weekend, I read the eulogy of former North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms in the Wall Street Journal. Among all the newsworthy items the story could cover, it included the following:
He developed an unlikely friendship with the rock star Bono, who convinced Helms to back AIDS funding and alleviate poverty in Africa by channeling more foreign aid through private sources.
I noticed that Bono popped up in a few other articles about Helms. I realize I'm biased as a U2 fan, but I started thinking about how often Bono is mentioned in news stories about high-profile deaths. Consider these stories tied to the deaths of:
Pope John Paul II
Johnny Cash
Frank Sinatra
Luciano Pavarotti
Joey Ramone
Michael Hutchence (INXS)
Roy Orbison
Is Bono the Forrest Gump of celebrity deaths? Who else from the music world ends up associated with so many significant people and then has a newsworthy connection to them when their eulogies are written?
1. John D. said the following at 2:24 PM on Jul 7:
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I trust you're not suggesting that being publicly linked to Bono can shorten one's life expectancy.
2. BB said the following at 2:43 PM on Jul 7:
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It's those snazzy shades he always wears. If we wore that kind of clothing we might make more high profile friends although on the down side, people would think we're full of ourselves and narcissistic.
3. Tom Neven said the following at 3:02 PM on Jul 7:
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John D. (#1)
I was thinking the same thing. If Bono introduces himself to you, run for the hills!
4. Tami said the following at 3:18 PM on Jul 7:
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Bono's kind of like the J.I. Packer* of eulogies -- bound to be blurbed. :)
(* For those who don't know... Packer has been blurbed on the back covers of dozens of books.)
5. J M D said the following at 5:11 PM on Jul 7:
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I think Bono is just everywhere ..always needing to be around the the "kings of this world" and some of those "kings' die. I am not sure what he has done.. but I know Africa did not work until President Bush took over.
Of course he was not given credit for it, very few people know how he helped that country. The African people love him...Bush that is
6. Vanessa said the following at 9:42 PM on Jul 7:
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Who's Bono?
7. Adam said the following at 9:47 PM on Jul 7:
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Very interesting observation. I don't see this as that surprising though. Bono is huge in the music world. Everyone you mentioned except for the Pope were big in the music world. Also, with 3 MTV articles and 1 VH1 article, the musical connection is no surprise.
I think we have a level of selective reporting. I also think that Bono has a level of universal appeal and can reach out to diverse people both in and out of the USA.
So I would have to say that Bono is not the Forrest Gump of eulogies.
8. niki said the following at 11:18 AM on Jul 8:
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JMD (#5) -
Africa is a continent, not a country. It contains approximately 50 countries. Which one of these were you referring to specifically?
9. Ted Slater said the following at 1:14 PM on Jul 8:
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Did John Templeton spend any time with Bono? Just asking.
10. BDB said the following at 2:12 PM on Jul 8:
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While I haven't discussed the matter with Bono directly, from everything I've read, he's sincere and well-informed on the subject of Africa's challenges. While I'm sure that his celebrity opens some doors, I note that he's not on TV saying Republicans are evil and he's moving to France. He's meeting privately with people across the political spectrum, treating them with respect while he takes a position of advocacy.
I remember a Washington Post story about how rapper Eazy-E was invited to a $10,000-a-plate Republican fund raiser. He showed up - kind of shocking everyone there. Enough to generate a story in the Washington Post. The theory was that his real name somehow got on a potential donor list and he was invited by accident.
I think that Christian conservatives who want to truly influence public policy could learn from Bono's approach. Be well informed, and treat the other side with respect. They will listen to you if you're respectful, if for no other reason than so many people are out to demonize the other side.
Here's an article that talks about his influence.
11. Steve Watters said the following at 2:31 PM on Jul 8:
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The closest Bono connection I could find to John Templeton, was this story (http://nsw.uca.org.au/news/2006/religious-leaders-often-misconstrue-media_26-10-06.htm) about a writer wining a John Templeton prize for an article about Bono.
12. SoulEspresso said the following at 3:19 PM on Jul 8:
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A number of nations on the African continent have been helped by US Aid--Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana, Rwanda, among others. For that reason Bush is popular there: http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0219/p01s03-woaf.html.
As an activist, Bono was directly involved with Congress and with President Bush, but he knows better than to brag about it himself. People already think he's got a messiah complex.
13. Athena said the following at 6:14 PM on Jul 8:
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I believe that there is just not one Bono, but a multiple series of Bonos. Clones, twins, and the like. That way he appears to be in two places at once.
In all seriousness however, U2's frontman is a respected member of society. He cannot help that he is connected to such celebrities, because it is his job's demand and his character that result in these friendships. It is given that he might be heckling them for money to aid Africa (which is a great cause), but these deceased persons recognize Bono for who he is and respect him as a result.
14. jaeloni said the following at 11:10 PM on Jul 8:
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Bono for President!!!!!!!!!!!!