Killing Bono

Cakey · 01-27-2009, 12:58 AM

I was wondering who has read this book? Its by Neil McCormick, and its pretty funny, takes a different view of things!
Thoughts on it?

Galeongirl · 01-27-2009, 06:48 AM

I read it, great book!

Was a nice inside view thing. I liked how you had a storyline that wasn't entirely focussed on U2, it was Neil's life, but somehow U2 kept crossing his path. Certainly not the typical U2 book.

u2search · 01-27-2009, 12:13 PM

I've read it. The first time I saw it I dismissed it as fiction, but luckily, after I'd learned more about U2, I saw it again and bought it. It's funny and sometimes even insightful. In some ways Neil's band has just had bad luck, but if you compare their early story to U2's, then you appreciate how similar they are and how much harder U2 tried to get there. That is what I learned from it.

rihannsu · 01-28-2009, 10:55 PM

Actually what I got from it most of all is that sometimes nice guys do finish first. Neil is brutally honest, I'll give him that but for most of his life he acts like a right asshole. He seems to be his own worst enemy always somehow pissing of the wrong person at the wrong time. Karma bites him on the ass repeatedly til he finally shapes up and starts acting like a responsible human being. Then things start to go right for him, not necessarily with music but with life.

In contrast Bono tended to make friends wherever he went and treated people well and as a result people were more supportive.

One of the nicest things about this book is that it gives you a perspective on Bono from someone who was there from the beginning and has drifted in and out and in again of the inner circle. I doubt if any of those closer to Bono will ever write about him so this is probably as good as it gets. Reading this book and Bono in Conversation give you a really good picture of Bono the person behind the rock star.

Dana

Trinity3000 · 01-28-2009, 11:16 PM

Also known as "I was Bono's Doppleganger"

rihannsu · 01-29-2009, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trinity3000

Also known as "I was Bono's Doppleganger"

Yeah, I like the fact that Bono loved the idea of calling it "Killing Bono".

EdgeIsTooSexy · 01-30-2009, 10:22 PM

This was definitely one of the best books written about the band...even though it didnt talk about them the whole time. Neil is a very talented writer so he shouldnt be jealous of Bono. Plus it was really funny!

biff · 01-30-2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rihannsu

Yeah, I like the fact that Bono loved the idea of calling it "Killing Bono".

Didn't Bono actually suggest that title? I'm pretty sure he did.

rihannsu · 02-02-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biff

Didn't Bono actually suggest that title? I'm pretty sure he did.

Not sure if he suggested the title but in one of their conversations where Neil exploded about Bono living his dream Bono laughed and said "you'll just have to kill me then."

Dana

BonoFox1 · 02-03-2009, 01:42 AM

I liked this book! like mentioned it is a book about Neil and his band trying to make it in the music business. I both cheered and booed for Neil and his band(s). To me he wanted to be famous for all the wrong reasons!. And yes, the U2 tidbits were BONUS!
I like this book and I want to read it again soon. Maybe sometime this year :}

KJ Collins · 02-03-2009, 01:41 PM

I read this about 2 years ago and enjoyed it. I'm poor and actually take out books from the library (I'm there everyday and even there right now) so perhaps I'll check it out again. Just a couple floors up.

Like others have said, it gives a perspective that you're not going to get from another source. That is, a longtime friend and fellow musician who is also an excellent writer. Ok, it's possible there could be another person, but unlikely.

One part that sticks out in my mind is when he's with a woman he just met and she has a poster of Bono on her bedroom wall. And he says, "Do you know Bono?" Gives you a sense of how odd it would be to know someone from childhood and have them become that famous. Almost as if they're in a different reality. Or whatever.

lauramullen · 02-03-2009, 04:35 PM

I have this book and loved it. One of my top U2 books.

magsteru2 · 01-02-2010, 08:18 AM

Read this book a couple of years ago, really enjoyed it. A great insight into the music buisness and how some make it and others don't.

I think it was better than some of the other books about the band because it was written by a close friend. A real inside view of the early days of U2.

I'm now going to dig it out and read it again !!!!

hcbiggs2002 · 01-03-2010, 06:43 AM

I read this book for the first time about a year ago when I found it selling on sale at my favourite book shop for €16. It's a Finnish translation and I found it to be both funny as well as interesting, while thinking at the same time ''poor old Neil, try as he might he just can't match with Bonos/U2s success''!

Bonoa · 01-05-2010, 07:38 AM

I have the book and read it for the first time about 2 years ago. I really enjoyed it!

Also interesting to read about the struggle you might get when you're trying to make it in the music business.

01-27-2009, 12:58 AM	#1
Cakey Babyface Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Palmerston North, New Zealand Posts: 2 Local Time: 05:32 AM	Killing Bono I was wondering who has read this book? Its by Neil McCormick, and its pretty funny, takes a different view of things! Thoughts on it?

02-03-2009, 01:42 AM	#10
BonoFox1 Blue Crack Supplier Premium Silver Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Saving my pennies for the next tour leg Posts: 46,911 Local Time: 09:32 AM	I liked this book! like mentioned it is a book about Neil and his band trying to make it in the music business. I both cheered and booed for Neil and his band(s). To me he wanted to be famous for all the wrong reasons!. And yes, the U2 tidbits were BONUS! I like this book and I want to read it again soon. Maybe sometime this year :} __________________

02-03-2009, 04:35 PM	#12
lauramullen Jersey Girl who loves U2 Premium Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: In my own little world Posts: 32,127 Local Time: 12:32 PM	I have this book and loved it. One of my top U2 books. __________________ 2010 Concert Schedule: March 5th- Muse- NYC/ MSG May 26th &29th- Bon Jovi- East Rutherford/ New Stadium June 6 &7th- U2- Anaheim/ Angel Stadium June 12th- U2- Denver/ Invesco Field June 16th- U2- Oakland/Oakland Coliseum July 1st- Dave Matthews Band- Philly/ S. Bank Center July12th- U2- Philly/Lincoln Financial Field July 16th- Dave Matthews Band- NYC/Citi Field July 19th- U2- East Rutherford/New Stadium

01-03-2010, 06:43 AM	#14
hcbiggs2002 Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS Premium Silver Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: "Greatest Bonolover in Finland"! Posts: 7,330 Local Time: 06:32 PM	I read this book for the first time about a year ago when I found it selling on sale at my favourite book shop for €16. It's a Finnish translation and I found it to be both funny as well as interesting, while thinking at the same time ''poor old Neil, try as he might he just can't match with Bonos/U2s success''! __________________ Helsinki 20/08/2010, Helsinki 21/08/2010

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01-27-2009, 12:13 PM	#3
u2search War Child Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 557 Local Time: 05:32 PM	I've read it. The first time I saw it I dismissed it as fiction, but luckily, after I'd learned more about U2, I saw it again and bought it. It's funny and sometimes even insightful. In some ways Neil's band has just had bad luck, but if you compare their early story to U2's, then you appreciate how similar they are and how much harder U2 tried to get there. That is what I learned from it.

01-28-2009, 10:55 PM	#4
rihannsu Refugee Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Orlando, Fl Posts: 1,310 Local Time: 11:32 AM	Actually what I got from it most of all is that sometimes nice guys do finish first. Neil is brutally honest, I'll give him that but for most of his life he acts like a right asshole. He seems to be his own worst enemy always somehow pissing of the wrong person at the wrong time. Karma bites him on the ass repeatedly til he finally shapes up and starts acting like a responsible human being. Then things start to go right for him, not necessarily with music but with life. In contrast Bono tended to make friends wherever he went and treated people well and as a result people were more supportive. One of the nicest things about this book is that it gives you a perspective on Bono from someone who was there from the beginning and has drifted in and out and in again of the inner circle. I doubt if any of those closer to Bono will ever write about him so this is probably as good as it gets. Reading this book and Bono in Conversation give you a really good picture of Bono the person behind the rock star. Dana

01-28-2009, 11:16 PM	#5
Trinity3000 Acrobat Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Zealand Posts: 335 Local Time: 05:32 AM	Also known as "I was Bono's Doppleganger"

01-30-2009, 10:22 PM	#7
EdgeIsTooSexy ONE love, blood, life Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hoping to play guitar with U2 on stage, NYC Posts: 10,776 Local Time: 11:32 AM	This was definitely one of the best books written about the band...even though it didnt talk about them the whole time. Neil is a very talented writer so he shouldnt be jealous of Bono. Plus it was really funny!

02-03-2009, 01:41 PM	#11
KJ Collins Babyface Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 28 Local Time: 09:32 AM	I read this about 2 years ago and enjoyed it. I'm poor and actually take out books from the library (I'm there everyday and even there right now) so perhaps I'll check it out again. Just a couple floors up. Like others have said, it gives a perspective that you're not going to get from another source. That is, a longtime friend and fellow musician who is also an excellent writer. Ok, it's possible there could be another person, but unlikely. One part that sticks out in my mind is when he's with a woman he just met and she has a poster of Bono on her bedroom wall. And he says, "Do you know Bono?" Gives you a sense of how odd it would be to know someone from childhood and have them become that famous. Almost as if they're in a different reality. Or whatever.

01-02-2010, 08:18 AM	#13
magsteru2 Babyface Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: london Posts: 15 Local Time: 04:32 PM	Read this book a couple of years ago, really enjoyed it. A great insight into the music buisness and how some make it and others don't. I think it was better than some of the other books about the band because it was written by a close friend. A real inside view of the early days of U2. I'm now going to dig it out and read it again !!!!

01-05-2010, 07:38 AM	#15
Bonoa War Child Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: off to Nether Nether land Posts: 789 Local Time: 05:32 PM	I have the book and read it for the first time about 2 years ago. I really enjoyed it! Also interesting to read about the struggle you might get when you're trying to make it in the music business.