Look To The Stars News: Bono

Paul McCartney Honored As MusiCares Person Of The Year

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

Beatles legend Paul McCartney was honored as the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year at a special event in Los Angeles on Friday, celebrating his exceptional artistic achievements as well as his philanthropic work.

The sold-out tribute to McCartney benefits MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs. Proceeds from the annual Person of the Year tribute — now in its 22nd year — provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that members of the music community have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Hosted by Eddie Izzard, performers included Cirque du Soleil, Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Diana Krall, Neil Young with Crazy Horse, Sergio Mendes and Katy Perry. The evening also featured a special performance by 14-time GRAMMY winning artist and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Paul McCartney.

Stars To Come Out For Paul McCartney At Charity Gala

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

An impressive star-studded cast will come together to honor 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney during a sold-out gala on Feb. 10 in Los Angeles, two days prior to the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

Hosted by actor/comedian Eddie Izzard, artists set to perform are current GRAMMY nominees Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Foo Fighters, Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, and Katy Perry; GRAMMY-winning artists Duane Eddy, Norah Jones, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, James Taylor, and Neil Young with Crazy Horse; two-time Latin GRAMMY-winning artist Sergio Mendes; and the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s “Love” Beatles tribute show. The evening will also feature a special performance by McCartney.

The 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year gala, which will celebrate McCartney’s exceptional artistic achievements and philanthropic work, will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation that will offer an exclusive selection of luxury items, VIP experiences and celebrity memorabilia for bidding guests. The auction will be followed by a gala dinner sponsored by AEG Live, and a star-studded tribute concert sponsored by Acura/ELS. This year’s red-carpet press arrivals will be sponsored by Kinect for Xbox 360 and Dance Central 2. Other event supporters include CenterStaging — A SoundCheck LA Company, Classic Wines of California, Delta Airlines, Double Platinum, Gibson, Global Art, Heineken, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Jackson Limo, Korbel, Patron Spirits Company, Pepsi, and Sweetwater.

Stars Line Up For The Return Of The Secret Policeman's Ball

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:50:00 +0000

The Secret Policeman’s Ball is back – and its heading for America!

Amnesty International’s legendary charity show – featuring a plethora of music and comedy talent – will hit the Radio City Music Hall on March 4. Organizers have confirmed Coldplay, Russell Brand, Mumford & Sons, Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart and Reggie Watts as part of the lineup, with more to come.

“We are so happy to be involved with the 2012 Secret Policeman’s Ball,” said Chris Martin of Coldplay. “We have followed and supported Amnesty International – and the amazing work they do around the world in the field of human rights – for years, and it is a pleasure to be asked to contribute to such an inspiring event.”

Paul McCartney To Perform At MusiCares Person Of The Year Event

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Legendary singer/songwriter, 14-time Grammy winner and 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree Paul McCartney is set to perform at the sold-out star-studded tribute concert, taking place in Los Angeles during Grammy Week on Feb. 10.

The MusiCares Person of the Year tribute is one of the most prestigious events held during GRAMMY Week. Proceeds from the dinner and concert will provide essential support for MusiCares, which ensures that music people have a place to turn in times of financial, medical and personal need.

Stars Help Honor Sean Penn's Work In Haiti

Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:30:00 +0000

A host of stars were out in Beverly Hills in the weekend to celebrate Sean Penn and his work with the J/P Haitian Relief Organization.

A swag of celebrities – including Leonardo DiCaprio, Julia Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Mel Gibson, Orlando Bloom, George Clooney, Demi Moore, Diane Lane, Josh Brolin, Petra Nemcova, Emily Watson, Hilary Swank, Harvey Weinstein, James Gandolfini, Rumor Willis and many more – turned out at the Montage Hotel on Saturday to watch Penn be awarded the Cinema For Peace Honorary Award for his work in Haiti.

The event also featured a huge celebrity charity auction that saw one of Angelina Jolie’s rings go under the hammer for $60,000. Damien Rice bought one of Bono’s guitars for $475,000, and Julia Roberts’ husband, Danny Moder, forked out $50,000 for the chance to work with Penn in Haiti.

LTTS Book Review: Philanthrocapitalism

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:40:00 +0000

For anyone interested in the charity work of the rich and the famous, Philanthrocapitalism by Matthew Bishop and Michael Green is – in the words of Bill Clinton – “an important book.”

With a foreword by Clinton and featuring interviews with the movers and shakers of the charity world – including Bono, Bill Gates, Angelina Jolie and Richard Branson – Philanthrocapitalism is a highly readable and thoroughly researched study of who is doing what to tackle the big issues facing humanity today. It gives in-depth accounts of where the world’s wealthiest entrepreneurs and business leaders are spending their money and exactly what effect their efforts are having – both negative and positive. Even the most skeptical reader will get an insight into how money is being used to bring new solutions to age-old problems.

Bishop and Green give a well-rounded and in-depth view of the changing face of philanthropy in today’s world, detailing the history of charity to the dark ages and beyond. Their research studies the reasons behind the giving of Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Ted Turner and their super-rich friends, and the effects they have on their chosen causes. In the process, it shows how the fame and status of big names such as Bono and Angelina Jolie play a useful part in making the world a better place – as Angelina says, “people take my calls.” This book shows us exactly how giving can save the world.

Sean Penn Honored At Happy Hearts Fund Celebrity Charity Gala

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 +0000

More than 500 guests from over eight countries gathered on Saturday night in New York City to celebrate the Happy Hearts Fund Land of Dreams: Haiti event and to recognize “Heart of Gold” honoree Renee Haugerud and “Lifetime Achievement” honoree Sean Penn.

Photo: Petra Nemcova, Founder and Chairwoman, Happy Hearts Fund and evening performer Wyclef Jean.

Bono Pays Tribute To Steve Jobs

Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:00:00 +0000

Bono has paid tribute to Apple founder Steve Jobs, who passed away last week, praising his innovative support for the U2 singer’s (RED) initiative.

Jobs led Apple into its partnership with (RED) in 2006 and that partnership has helped to save the lives of millions of people with HIV in Africa.

“What made Steve Jobs truly great is that he was only interested in doing truly great things. He was bored by an easy ride or easy profit,” said Bono. "In a world littered with dull objects, he brought the beauty of clean lines and clear thought. This rhyme of intellect and intuition could be applied to a wide range of subjects from the US education system, to sculpture, to the fight against HIV/AIDS where his support of (RED) literally transformed the lives of two million people in Africa.

Meet Bill Clinton And Play Presidential Golf For Charity

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 13:45:00 +0000

A new celebrity charity auction will give one person the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and take a photograph with Bill Clinton as well as play in the exclusive Presidential Golf Tournament on Oct. 16, 2011, in Los Angeles, CA.

The package also includes 2 VIP Garden Box Seats to “A Decade of Difference” Concert with special performances by Lady Gaga, Usher, Bono & The Edge and more on Oct. 15, 2011, in Hollywood, CA.

Proceeds from the auction will go towards the Clinton Foundation. Building on a lifetime of public service, President Bill Clinton established the William J. Clinton Foundation with the mission to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment. Over the past 10 years, President Clinton’s vision and leadership have resulted in nearly 4 million people benefiting from lifesaving HIV/AIDS treatment; more than 12,000 U.S. schools building healthier learning environments; more than 26,000 micro-entrepreneurs, small business owners, and smallholder farmers improving their livelihoods and communities; and more than 2.2 million tons of greenhouse gases cut or abated in some of the world’s largest cities.

Bono And Celebrity Friends Lead PSA Against Famine

Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:29:00 +0000

Bono has recruited some of his celebrity friends – including George Clooney, Jessica Alba and Joe Jonas for a new charity PSA aimed at raising awareness about the famine in East Africa.

“Drought, violence and political instability have invited in the grim reaper on a scale we have not seen in 20 years… more than 30,000 children have died in just three months,” he writes in The Huffington Post. "The pictures from Dadaab look like a nightmare from centuries past. Yet, this is the 21st century and these pictures are real and, on the whole, unseen. The food crisis in the Horn of Africa is nothing short of a humanitarian catastrophe, but it is getting less attention than the latest Hollywood break-ups and make-ups.

“ONE’s new film The F Word: Famine is the Real Obscenity isn’t a typical emotional emergency appeal. It’s about focusing the media spotlight on the tragedy unfolding. It’s about building political support in the US and around the world for interventions that will stop the suffering today and break the cycle of famine in the future. Most of all, it’s about taking action — because famine is man-made.

Bill Clinton To Celebrate Charity Anniversary With U2 And Lady Gaga

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Bill Clinton will celebrate 10 years of his William J Clinton Foundation next month with a special celebrity charity concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

A Decade Of Difference: A Concert Celebrating 10 Years of The William J Clinton Foundation will take place on October 15 and feature performances by Lady Gaga, Usher, U2’s Bono and The Edge and many more yet to be announced.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow, September 15, with proceeds going to the William J Clinton Foundation’s mission to to improve global health, strengthen economies worldwide, promote healthier childhoods, and protect the environment.

K’naan Returns Home To Help Fellow Somalians

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:00:00 +0000

Rap artist K’naan left his home in Canada last week to return to Somalia, the country his family left in the early ’90s during civil war and famine. Today, due to what the UN is calling the worst drought in a generation, the country is suffering yet another famine.

“It’s very difficult for any Somali to be feeling this immense situation and to not be able to do much from afar,” K’naan said in an interview with CNN in the lead up to his first visit back to Mogadishu. Musician and activist Bono joined K’naan in the interview with journalist Anderson Cooper.

“You can blame droughts on God,” said Bono “but famines are manmade. We know exactly what to do and this shouldn’t be happening. The Somalis are a very sophisticated people. For twenty years now they’ve had no real government. I don’t know how they’ve survived. But the famine is really the wake up call for all of us. If we make a safe passage for aid, I do believe the aid will be through. We [at ONE Campaign] hold those politicians that make promises accountable.”

Stars Donate Items To Celebrity Charity Auction To Help Joplin

Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A number of stars – including Johnny Depp, Yoko Ono, Patricia Arquette, Bono, Jeff Probst, Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Jack Johnson – have donated items to a great auction raising money for the people of Joplin, the Missouri town where an estimated 30% of the buildings were destroyed and over 150 people were killed by a tornado on May 22.

Items going under the hammer include an book about U2 signed by Bono, a script signed by the cast of General Hospital, a rare Lady Gaga Born This Way picture disc, posters signed by Ry Cooder and Martina McBride, a basket ball signed by the Lakers, a guitar signed by Foreigner, the chance to meet Coldplay, Maroon 5 and Uncle Cracker, the chance to Skype with OneRepublic and much more. Sean Lennon has donated a signed guitar, while Yoko Ono has signed a photo of her with John Lennon.

Proceeds from the auction will go to United Way of Southwest Missouri and Southeast Kansas. Last week, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt donated $500,000 to the people of Joplin in the wake of the tornado.

Alicia Keys Announces Celebrity Charity Black Ball

Thu, 26 May 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Alicia Keys and Mark Ronson will join forces in London next month to host the annual Keep A Child Alive Black Ball.

“Each year, Keep a Child Alive gathers extraordinary guests in a night promised to be filled with surprises and special moments,” said Keep a Child Alive Co-Founder, Alicia Keys. “I LOVE the Black Ball! I’m proud to raise awareness and funds for this most important cause to help families in Africa and India affected by AIDS and HIV. This issue is undeniable – how can we ignore it? It’s our responsibility as human beings to come together to save lives and care about each other.”

Joining the stars at the event will be Paloma Faith, Tinie Tempah and others yet to be announced.

Yusuf Islam Uses Fan Voices For Peace

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Yusuf Islam has released a new peace anthem using the voices of hundreds of fans from across the world.

Yusuf – formerly known as Cat Stevens – invited people to send samples of them singing parts of his new song, My People, and the results have been put together for the final product.

Talking to Spinner.com, Yusuf says that the song was inspired by an Egyptian peace protest: “Most of the things in my career have happened spontaneously, and this is just another one of those things. I had no big plans, but as we were all watching what as going on in Egypt there was this fantastic feeling of support and so we wanted to stretch out a hand to these people who were peacefully asking for change. I was on the guitar and then suddenly this song came out and ‘My People’ had arrived. The mood was simply one of intense admiration for the people who were standing up peacefully.”

Bono Nominated For Mikhail Gobachev Charity Award

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:30:00 +0000

Bono, Steven Spielberg and Ted Turner are among the nine nominees of Mikhail Gorbachev’s Man Who Changed The World Award.

The award will be announced by the former Soviet leader on March 30 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, during a celebrity charity concert to celebrate his 80th birthday.

“This is an award for those who have shown themselves to be people capable of changing the world for the better,” said Gorbachev. “Each of the award nominees already made a big personal contribution to the development and changing of the world we live in for the better.”

Mark Ronson To Host Brit Awards Charity Party

Tue, 08 Feb 2011 14:00:00 +0000

Superstar DJ Mark Ronson will host this year’s War Child Brit Awards afterparty in London on February 15.

Ronson will be joined by special guests during the show – to be held at Indigo2, next door to the Brit Awards’ O2 Arena venue – and previous years have seen performances by Coldplay, Bono, The Killers, Kasabian and Take That’s Gary Barlow.

“Being asked to play the War Child post-Brits show is such a giant honor,” says Ronson. "And since I’m guilty of YouTubing the 2009 clip of Coldplay and Gary Barlow doing “Back For Good” for War Child at least 180 times, I know we better pull off some magical moments."

Elton John Announces Annual Celebrity Charity Oscar Viewing Party

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 15:30:00 +0000

The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) announced today that the 19th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish will take place on Sunday, February 27, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.

Sir Elton stated, “I am tremendously excited to announce that Best New Artist Grammy nominee Florence + The Machine has accepted my personal invitation to perform for guests attending this year’s gala event.”

Global Fund Cracks Down on Fraudsters, Bono 'Thrilled'

Fri, 28 Jan 2011 12:30:00 +0000

Bono and Bobby Shriver have something to say about the media reports of fraud and corruption surrounding the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

The pair have co-written a blog post at Huffington Post in response to the recent news, saying:

When we formed (RED), we wanted the Fund to administer the money because we knew the Fund was set up to find the bad guys early. Many other international organizations do not have the aggressive tools used by the Fund. Others find bad guys late in the game.

Maria Shriver Remembers Father as "Legendary Public Servant"

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:12:00 +0000

Sargent Shriver was laid to rest surrounded by family and friends, and dignitaries including Vice President Biden, former President Clinton, First Lady Michelle Obama and Shriver’s son-in-law, former CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

It was 8 years ago that the brother-in-law of former President John Kennedy and the late Senators Robert and Edward Kennedy, announced that he had Alzheimer’s disease. He died on January 18, at the age of 95.

Attending the funeral were Clint Eastwood, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi and Muhammad Ali. Bono, Vanessa Williams and Wyclef Jean sang at the funeral.

George Clooney In Southern Sudan For Historic Referendum

Sun, 09 Jan 2011 20:45:00 +0000

George Clooney was in Southern Sudan on Saturday to help raise awareness of the region’s historic independence referendum, which began on January 9.

The star – who is a UN Messenger of Peace and is well known for his work in Darfur and the Sudan – has met with President Barack Obama twice about conflict in the region, and recently launched the Satellite Sentinel Project, which uses satellite imagery analysis and crowd-sourced mapping to monitor the tense border between North and South Sudan.

“Our job is trying to keep this on the front burner of the news,” Clooney told The Associated Press. "I’m the son of newsman. I understand how hard it is to keep stories on the front of news, and sometimes entertainment and news can be meshed together if you do it properly.

Bono Lights Sydney Red For World AIDS Day

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Bono is in Australia for World AIDS Day on December 1, and has praised the country’s leaders for helping fight HIV globally during the current economic recession.

“Times are hard in the Western world,” he said. "[Health agencies are] fighting hard for funding. In recessionary times, people have to tell their politicians this is important to them.

“Some people think that the pandemic is on its way out and it’s job done… It is really not so.”

Bono Leads Celebrity Tributes To Mining Tragedy In New Zealand

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

A number of stars have paid tribute to the 29 coal miners killed in an explosion in New Zealand last week.

U2 led the tributes by scrolling the names of the dead from the Pike River disaster across big screens while performing One Tree Hill – a song written by Bono in memory of a New Zealand friend – during the band’s two concerts in Auckland. Earlier in the evening, opening act Jay-Z dedicated “Young Forever” to the victims of the tragedy.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods’ caddie Steve Williams raised $16,000 for families of the victims by organizing a race car event in the area where the disaster occurred.

Nobel Peace Laureates Gather In Hiroshima For World Summit

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:30:00 +0000

The 11th Edition of the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates was held in Hiroshima on November 12th-14th, 2010.

The international conference was historic and groundbreaking in that it marked the 65th anniversary of the atomic bombings of two Japanese cities. In light of recent meetings between the United States and the Russian Federation to reduce each nation’s nuclear weapons arsenals and of the results of the recent U.N. Conference of New York, the Summit confronted the issue of nuclear disarmament and propose concrete measures to address this most pressing issue.

Chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev and Walter Veltroni, former Mayor of Rome, the event attracted Nobel Peace Laureates such as His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Fredrik Willem De Klerk, Lech Walesa, José Ramos- Horta, Oscar Arias Sanchez, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, Mohamed ElBaradei, Shirin Ebadi and Jody Williams. Senior representatives of such international organizations as the United Nations (UN), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Labor Organization (ILO), United Nations Children’s Found (UNICEF), International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), Pugwash Conferences (PUGWASH), International Peace Bureau (IPB), American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International (AI) and many others also attended.

Elton John To Edit Newspaper For Charity

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Elton John will step into slightly different shoes on World AIDS Day, December 1, when he guest-edits UK newspaper The Independent.

All proceeds from the paper that day will go to the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

“I was thrilled to be invited to guest edit The Independent,” said Sir Elton. “I’m really looking forward to spending a day in the editor’s chair, and I’m pleased to get the chance to put the subject of Aids at the top of the editorial agenda.”