"With or Without ..." U2

By Faye
@FayeHazel (40230)
United States
February 9, 2018 1:13pm CST
So, in the same vein as my "Six Degrees" post where I talk about near brushes with celebrity -- here is another near brush. Rewind back to latter 1990s when I was a teen and a rampant U2 fan. I researched the internet about the band, the individual members and anything related. I bought books, cds, dvds, vhs, tshirts, posters. And I eventually found a radio station's website. The station wasn't even local. But they were interviewing U2's frontman, Bono. You were to email a question you had for the band - and if the station thought it was a good question they would give you a call and you could ask Bono, yourself, on the air. So I thought, and thought. And I came up with the question: "What would you do if you could go back in time? Would you choose this level of success? More or less? And why." And it got down to the day before the radio call in show. And *I got a call from the station*! The dj was confirming I would be around the phone between certain hours the following day and that my question had been chosen. He did mention that he didn't know in what order the questions would be asked, and that there was the chance that they may not have enough time. But I didn't pay attention to that. I was on cloud 9. Here I was - going to be connected by wires (this was before cell phones, people.) to Bono - himself. I would talk to him in real time. I couldn't sleep well the night before. And the next day came around. And the spanse of hours that the dj mentioned rolled around. And I waited. And I waited. And I waited. And to quote one of the most popular ever U2 songs "I will wait.... for you.... with or without you...." And..... In my case it was the latter. "without". My question got sorted to the bottom of the pile and they had run out of time. I stayed glued to the phone for a good nother hour .... just incase. And by then it became clear - there would be no phone call from Bono. My parents were really super about it. They still are really super ... They took me out for a favorite fast food treat to cheer me. Which worked :-) Bono singing "With or Without You" :
For more information check out www.u2.com Listen to U2 on Apple Music: http://po.st/U2AppleMusic Listen to U2 Complete on Spotify: http://po.st/U2Complete U2...
12 people like this
12 responses
@RasmaSandra (97908)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Feb 18
I love that song. Thanks for sharing.
3 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
So welcome :-)
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43571)
• Denver, Colorado
12 Feb 18
On a related note, we were on our way down to get tickets for the Red Rocks show, the one that they filmed Under a Blood Red Sky at. We turned around halfway to the ticket outlet because "it's probably going to rain." D'oh!
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43571)
• Denver, Colorado
15 Feb 18
@FayeHazel - I've seen so many shows there, but I still kick myself for not going to that one.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
16 Feb 18
@teamfreak16 Oh wow, must be incredible ..... what a beautiful setting
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Oooo D'oh! That is a great concert video. What a venue, too
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
9 Feb 18
I remember the song very well there.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Ah one of my favorites :-)
@amadeo (111937)
• United States
14 Feb 18
@FayeHazel I just have one CD by them.the very first one
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
@amadeo They have so many great songs. - I have all of the studio cds (some live , as well) - hard to go wrong with U2 :-)
• Eugene, Oregon
10 Feb 18
What a letdown that was for you!
1 person likes this
• Eugene, Oregon
14 Feb 18
@FayeHazel Well, of course they would.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
@JamesHxstatic Don't forget the zesty sauce :-)
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Aw yeah, I was pretty bummed. Fast food onion rings made it a little better :-)
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 Feb 18
Awesome story!
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Thanks! At least it's a cool story
• Trinidad And Tobago
11 Feb 18
Wow! Awesome. I felt for you every way I have never had a fan obsession like this but I supposed your world crashed. I wonder how it would have turned out if that guy Bono had followed up with a person call (fan service)?. He could have easily done that. Kudos to your parents for the support given to you! Good parenting skills
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Aw thanks for the sentiment. That's ok - fan crushes are a most awkward thing. I would have loved for Bono to give me a call the next day instead! ha ha! Thanks, yeah - my parents are pretty awesome and... those fast food onion rings made me feel a bit better
1 person likes this
• Trinidad And Tobago
15 Feb 18
@FayeHazel Good support system there!
1 person likes this
@shaggin (74988)
• United States
10 Feb 18
Aww that had to be so disappointing but cool at the same time though that your question was deemed good enough to be questioned.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Yeah, its' true. Much, much later I consoled myself with the thought that at least I did get picked.... anyway....
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
9 Feb 18
I am so sorry. I would have felt awful, too. However, I still love Bono and that song!!!!
1 person likes this
@DianneN (254949)
• United States
15 Feb 18
@FayeHazel I certainly do! lol
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Aw thanks! Happy to know someone knows where I'm coming from
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
10 Feb 18
I'm sorry the call never came.
1 person likes this
@just4him (323168)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
15 Feb 18
@FayeHazel I'm sure you were.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Aw thanks, I was pretty bummed at the time
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (381837)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Feb 18
I'm sure your parents were really feeling for you. My son played bass at a Christmas party that Bono put on for all his support staff. His group were hired by one of his henchmen and stuck in a corner but Bono came over and spoke to them so that was nice of him.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
14 Feb 18
Woah cool! That must have been awesome for your son - to play in front of other musicians is always an honor and somewhat nervewracking I find. That was real cool of Bono :-)
1 person likes this
@dgobucks226 (37621)
16 Feb 18
That experience reminds me of another song, "Anticipation" by Carly Simon. What a bummer! Great song choice btw. Don't count your chickens before they hatch. A learning experience for us all.... Great post!
@Isreally (196)
• Nigeria
9 Feb 18
Very nice song
1 person likes this