
Bono on His Dad's Final Days Before He Died of Cancer
From: Blank on Blank
Series: Blank on Blank
Length: 05:27
This interview is with Bono of U2. It’s Bono talking about what it was like to be by his father’s side in the months and final weeks before he died. Pretty remarkable interview. It comes to us from Anthony Bozza. Anthony is an author and writer and back in 2001 he was working at Rolling Stone. And the magazine, they were doing one of those “look backs at the year that was.” So Anthony jumped on the phone. He plugged in his recorder and he called Bono. They talked about a number of things including what it was like to perform right after 9-11. Anthony also posed a question: he asked Bono what was his most memorable personal encounter of the year. And that’s when Bono opened up about this dad.
INTERVIEW NOTES
- The Date: October 2001
- The Scene: By phone
- The Source: Minidisc recorder
- Anthony recorded this interview while writing for Rolling Stone
Watch the animated version of this interview @ Blankonblank.org.
Also in the Blank on Blank series
Wilt Chamberlain on Tall Tales
(05:05)
From: Blank on Blank
"Can you imagine going through America at that time, a man of color, a little boy, 14 years old, that height? You know, I was looked upon as a freak." - Wilt Chamberlain. ...
Beastie Boys on Being Stupid
(08:10)
From: Blank on Blank
"There’s a way we talk and it includes profanity. We never figured we’d be arrested for it." - Mike "Mike D" Diamond. Back in May 1985, the Beastie Boys were fresh on the ...
Jim Morrison on Why Fat is Beautiful
(05:50)
From: Blank on Blank
"What's wrong with being fat? That's what I want to know. Why is it so onerous to be fat?" - Jim Morrison
Interview by Howard Smith | TheSmithTapes.com | Los Angeles, 1969
Larry King on Getting Seduced
(04:56)
From: Blank on Blank
"I’m playing these records. The phone rings and I pick it up: 'WAHR'. And this lady’s voice--I can still hear her voice--she goes: 'I want you.'" Larry King tells the story ...
Sam Pickering on How to Teach and Not Dead Poets Society
(07:01)
From: Blank on Blank
"I looked in the mirror the other day and I said: My God, what happened to that handsome young man? Who is this grizzled b-a-s-t-a-r-d staring at me?" Interview by John ...
Art Blakey on How to Build a Band
(05:46)
From: Blank on Blank
"You’re in your birthday suit up there. People can see clean through you. And your music, your actions and the vibes you bring forth to the audience come out. You cannot hide ...
David Sedaris on Breast Milk and Book Tours
(07:42)
From: Blank on Blank
"People would come and defecate on the floor of the dressing room. So I just thought that was his Gap, but I came to find out that it happens in all stores across America." - ...
Brian Selznick on Einstein, God, and Reaching His Potential
(06:36)
From: Blank on Blank
"So I bought the postcard, memorized it and sent it off to a friend. And I never thought about God again after that." - Brian Selznick Brian Selznick is the author and ...
Rodney King on Forgiveness and Being a Negro
(06:48)
From: Blank on Blank
"I have been challenged to fight for saying 'can't we all get along.' I’ve had people say I want to kick your ass for saying that." - Rodney King Interview by Bobbi Booker ...
Amber Heard on Not Sitting Pretty and Shutting Up
(06:46)
From: Blank on Blank
"It’s easier to deal with a woman who is compliant and sweet and sunny and nice and non-confrontational." Interview by Jason Feifer // NYC hotel in 2011 // digital recorder ...
Piece Description
This interview is with Bono of U2. It’s Bono talking about what it was like to be by his father’s side in the months and final weeks before he died. Pretty remarkable interview. It comes to us from Anthony Bozza. Anthony is an author and writer and back in 2001 he was working at Rolling Stone. And the magazine, they were doing one of those “look backs at the year that was.” So Anthony jumped on the phone. He plugged in his recorder and he called Bono. They talked about a number of things including what it was like to perform right after 9-11. Anthony also posed a question: he asked Bono what was his most memorable personal encounter of the year. And that’s when Bono opened up about this dad.
INTERVIEW NOTES
- The Date: October 2001
- The Scene: By phone
- The Source: Minidisc recorder
- Anthony recorded this interview while writing for Rolling Stone
Watch the animated version of this interview @ Blankonblank.org.
Transcript
David Gerlach: We have another great interview that’s never been heard before. This interview is with Bono of U2. It’s Bono talking about what it was like to be by his father’s side in the months and final weeks before he died. Pretty remarkable interview. It comes to us from Anthony Bozza.
Anthony is an author and writer and back in 2001 he was working at Rolling Stone. And the magazine, they were doing one of those “look backs at the year that was.” So Anthony jumped on the phone. He plugged in his recorder and he called Bono. They talked about a number of things including what it was like to perform right after 9-11. Anthony also posed a question: he asked Bono what was his most memorable personal encounter of the year. And that’s when Bono opened up about this dad.
Bono: What was the question again?
Anthony Bozza: Most memorable personal encounter.
Bono: Ok, well then with my fath...
Read the full transcript
Musical Works
| Title | Artist | Album | Label | Year | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kite | U2 | All That You Can't Leave Behind. | Interscope | 2000 | 00:00 |
| In The Dressing Room | Scratch Massive | Broken English Soundtrack. | Commotion | 2007 | 00:00 |





