Gerbie watches YouTube (22)

[gerbie]

A quarter of a century ago I was a big U2 fan. I listened to 'War' every day, discovered 'Boy' and 'October'. I bought singles for their b-sides and 12inches for a remix. 'The unforgettable fire' was due to come out and I was looking forward to the new album.

Every tuesday morning I took a radio to school. I didn't own a walkman yet, so I had to take a portable radio, on top of my schoolbag, to listen to my favourite radio show at the time. The local DJ introduced a German artist to the Netherlands. Herbert Grönemeyer had just made a great album '4630 Bochum' with a great song on it. 'Flugzeuge im bauch' is still one of my all time favourites.

Come 2007, Grönemeyer is performing in Rostock, a manisfestation. He is playing 'Mensch' from the album with the same name, great tune. Then somebody enters the stage. A familiar face, someone who has been trying to save the world for ages. He joins in. Bono singing in German, I never thought I'd see that day. He reads the lyrics from a note. Pronounces word badly. Hasn't got a clue what he is singing, even sings the wrong lines with the tune. But it is still Bono singing.

Two of my childhood heroes on one stage. I wish I had seen it with my own eyes. I'm almost back feeling a teenager.

Comments

[gerbie.livejournal.com]

And then you know the lyrics and notice that one of the most famous singers in the world can't pronounce them properly and even sings the wrong lines at the wrong moment...

Though I can imagine it must have been thrilling.