U2 and Kila are set to host a special tribute to Ronnie Drew along with some of Ireland’s finest singers. Some of the musicians work on ‘The Ballad of Ronnie Drew’ are Shane MacGowan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Sinead O’Connor, Andrea Corr, and Moya Brennan. This week producer John Reynolds said that the feeling was something very special as everyone came into Windmill Lane Rings End Road studios. After talks of poetry and lyrics singer Simon Carmody decided that they wanted to make a tribute to somebody that they truely admired as a musician. Carmody was excited when he approached Grateful Dead wordsmith (and fellow Ronnie Drew fan) Robert Hunter with the idea and he decided to become involved. The song ”The Ballad of Ronnie Drew’ became a joint effort between Hunter, Edge, Carmody and Bono with other artists signing on shortly after. The performances are amazing with Shane MacGowan, Bono, Christy Moore and Damien Dempsey all singing different verses while Sinead, Andrea Corr and Moya sing the choruses. Some of the other artists involved in the project are Brian Kennedy, Bronagh Gallagher, Billy McGuinness, Chris de Burgh, Eleanor McEvoy, Ronan Keating, Duke Special, Gavin Friday, , Jack L, Jerry Fish, Joe Elliott, Mundy, Mary Black, Mary Coughlan, Mick Pyro, Paddy Casey, and Paul Brady.

Front man of the U2 rock band Bono pressed French leader Nicolas Sarkozy to increase aid to developing nations, the aid advocacy group DATA said. The organization, co-founded by Bono has urged France to raise development assistance to 0.7 percent of gross national income by 2012 as agreed earlier. In 2006, French aid stood at 0.31 percent of gross national income.

U2’s new record will be influenced by the trance dance sub-genre of music. According to the band’s frontman, it will also feature “hardcore” guitars. U2 fans can expect a “dance floor shock” on the new record. The album contains some trance influences. There is “some very hardcore guitar coming out of The Edge”. Bono said the new album is not like anything they had ever done before. The band does not think the album sounds like “anything anyone else has done either.”

Bono and Damien Hirst, are backing a forty-million AIDS charity auction of art previewing today in London before heading for NY. The auction was devised by Bono and Damien Hirst to raise money for AIDS treatment in Africa. It features $8 million of works donated by Damien that include a heart-shaped butterfly picture entitled “All You Need is Love” with a top estimate of $1.5 million.

The fifth studio album recorded by U2 and released on March 9, 1987, is titled “Joshua Tree”. The album was produced and engineered by Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. Having tremendous success, the album is considered to be their opus, which has often been praised by music critics as the band’s best album and one of the best rock albums of all time. In 2003, the album was ranked number 26 on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. In 1988, the Joshua Tree won the Album of the Year.

The band formed in ‘76 when the band members were still teenagers with limited musical proficiency. By the mid-eighties, the group had already become a top international act. The band was noted for its anthemic sound, the lead singer’s impassioned vocals, and a toned rhythm section. The band’s 1987 record, entitled The Joshua Tree, brought them mega-stardom. Their ‘91 release Achtung Baby and the Zoo TV Tour were part of a significant reinvention for U2

Bono and The Edge have made a surprise appearance at a charity gig in London last week, when they played a 4-song set for two hundred and fifty people at Mencap’s Little Noise Sessions at the Union Chapel situated in north London. The musicians opened their set with the composition “Stay,” from 1993’s “Zooropa,” and then performed “Angel of Harlem” and “Desire”. They closed the set with a 1st-time performance of “Wave of Sorrow.” This composition was originally written for their ‘87 album entitled “Joshua Tree.”

The band has denied rumors that they are planning a series of shows next summer. U2 have put a message on their official website, scotching rumors that they are doing a fortnight at the O2 Arena in London, UK. U2 will be releasing a follow up to ‘How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb’ next summer. In a statement, the band members explained that there are no plans for live dates next year. So they warned all their fans against buying tickets for any U2 shows advertised

The band has finally found what they have been looking for: permission for a €150 million revamp of the Clarence Hotel. U2 have been given the green light by Dublin City Council to continue with their plans to turn the landmark property in Temple Bar into “the most spectacular hotel in Europe” according to Bono. However, environmentalists and conservationists have expressed outrage at Bono’s decision, as under planning law, councils should give permission to demolish listed buildings only “in exceptional circumstances”.