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.
