View CNN’s Fast Facts on Bono and learn more about the Grammy award-winning singer, songwriter and activist.
Personal Birth date: May 10, 1960 Birth place: Dublin, Ireland Birth name: Paul David Hewson Father: Brendan Robert Hewson, post office worker Mother: Iris Elizabeth (Rankin) Hewson Marriage: Ali (Stewart) Hewson (August 21, 1982-present) Children: John Abraham, Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q, Memphis Eve and Jordan Other Facts His nickname « Bono Vox » means « good voice. » Has won 22 Grammy Awards and been nominated 48 times. Nominated for two Academy Awards. Is co-founder of ONE and (RED), global charitable organizations fighting extreme poverty and AIDS. Timeline 1976 – Joins a band in high school that later becomes U2. March 1979 – CBS Ireland signs the band and releases a three-song EP entitled « U2-3. » March 1980 – Island Records signs U2 and releases their debut album, « Boy. » 1981 – First tour of the United States. 1984 – Bono takes part in the recording of the charity single, « Do They Know It’s Christmas. » July 13, 1985 – U2 plays in London as part of the day’s Live Aid concerts. 1987 – The album, « The Joshua Tree, » is released and becomes a top-ten hit. March 2, 1988 – U2 wins its first two Grammy awards for « The Joshua Tree, » one for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and one for Album of the Year. February 22, 1989 – U2 wins two Grammy awards: Best Performance Music Video for « Where the Streets Have No Name » and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for « Desire. » 1992 – Bono, U2’s guitarist the Edge and other investors buy The Clarence, a Dublin hotel built in 1852 and restore it. February 24, 1993 – U2 wins a Grammy award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for « Achtung Baby. » March 1, 1994 – U2 wins a Grammy award for Best Alternative Music Album for « Zooropa. » March 1, 1995 – U2 wins a Grammy award for Best Music Video, Long Form for « Zoo TV – Live From Sydney. » May 1997 – U2 meets with US President Bill Clinton in the White House. 1998 – U2 appears on « The Simpsons. » September 23,1999 – Meets with Pope John Paul II to discuss Third World debt. The Pope puts on Bono’s trademark wrap-around sunglasses during their meeting.
