U2's Bono person of the year

U2 frontman Bono has been named one of Time magazine's Persons of the Year. Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, shares the prestigious position with Microsoft chief Bill Gates and his wife Melinda, all for their charitable efforts. Time recognized the charismatic frontman for his worldwide campaign to convince industrialized nations to forgive $40 billion in debts incurred by developing countries. The magazine noted that the singer "charmed and bullied and morally blackmailed the leaders of the world's richest countries" to forgive those debts and praised his "charm, clarity of voice, an ability to touch people in their secret heart" and "a keen grasp of the political game and obsessive attention to detail."

Among those singing Bono's praises in the magazine is retired US Senator Jesse Helms, a conservative who nevertheless struck up a friendship and working relationship with the singer because he felt Bono was "genuine."

Guitarist The Edge told us that the singer's political savvy has led to some strange bedfellows, including Helms:
[ click here to listen if you have a Backstage Pass] "Jesse Helms was probably one of the most unlikely people. I had a chance to speak with Jesse for a while. He's a very charming, likable character. I felt my politics couldn't be further from his in many respects, but I respected the fact that he was taking another look at some very big issues that he held a certain view about for years."

U2 recently finished the 2005 portion of their Vertigo world tour. The trek resumes on February 12th with the first of three shows in Mexico, then moves to New Zealand and Australia in March.

The Irish rockers are nominated for five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Rock Album for How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb.