With the activity of Bono’s book release and the residency in Las Vegas, I found it appropriate to ruminate about U2. The Band had released their “Boy” album and were embarking on a North American Tour in early 1981. We had been supporting U2 at KFJC with strong airplay. Our music director and their label knew KFJC were instrumental in creating massive awareness of this new band from day one. We co presented this Free show, which was the Bands debut in the San Francisco Bay Area; at San Jose State University with the associated students. As a DJ at KFJC it gave me access to hang with the band before the show. Very casual and relaxed, focused and determined. The band knew what they wanted and were on their way to it. The free show was packed, and the crowd was rockin so hard that their speakers began to tumble, so stage hands held them down, the rest of the show. The show was incredible, with an awesome connection with the audience. Here is the interview from the station, the next day. https://spidey.kfjc.org/39289/1981-u2-interview-at-kfjc/ A note is that the band performed every song they knew, and played a few songs again for their encores.

I had another occasion to meet the band on a different trajectory when they were touring behind “Unforgettable Fire” and having massive success with Sunday Bloody Sunday, New Years Day, Pride…the sold out show was infectious. At this time in their career, they were trying to define themselves. Backstage they told us there ws “No Smoking”, they told us and I quote “the boys are good Christians so there will be no alcohol back stage, what we are offering is water, juices and spritzers. They had fruit and nuts as hospitality. It was cool, however kind of the antithesis of the image they were considered to have. When I met Bono for this time he introduced himself as Bono Vox…Hi I’m Bono Vox and this is The Edge. A conversation evolved into reminiscing about the show at San Jose State and they were all so happy to talk to someone who had been to that show. Bono said “Hey Ric” “that show actually changed our view of America” “we realized there was hope for humanity after all”

Flash back to the release of” Saturation” by Urge Overkill. This Album included the track “Sister Havana” which was developing nicely at Radio and before the cover of Neil Diamonds “Girl you’ll be a woman soon” was included on the Pulp Fiction soundtrack which became a huge hit for them. The band was asked to be on the Bill with Pearl Jam and Mud honey for a North American tour. I’d met Nash, Eddie and Blackie a few times including Chicago. The radio promoter asked me about helping set up a promotion on that tour stop in Reno, NV. where they were performing at the Lawlor Event Center on the University of Reno campus. The promotion we were running in conjunction with Radio and Retail; was an Enter to win Contest for the Best Martini mixing bartender in Reno. Judges would be a handful of winners, and Urge Overkill band members. Bartenders were chosen in a contest at Radio. Judges were chosen in a contest at Retail. Spectators and non winners were encouraged to hang in the bar and cheer them on. Only in Reno! Anyway, the night wore on, everyone was getting pretty crazy…little did anyone know, that we had gear set up on the small stage in the bar for the band to perform a song or two, if they wanted to. Mid way through the party a Tour bus pulls up in front and out jumps Eddie V, Stone, Jeff and Mike who had heard about the promotion and all wanted to get in on the Judging…so the bartenders continued to mix, bands continued to drink and a winner was chosen! Late into the night Eddie V is cajoled up onto the small little stage with Nash and Jeff. The boys break into an acoustic version on “Horse with no name” and a few other jems. We hung out late into the night with both bands chatting, and laughing into a hangover the next day.