Bono, the globe-trotting, conscience-tugging lead singer for Irish rock group U2, is the most powerful man in music, according to a poll of music industry figures. Bono, whose given name is Paul Hewson, tops a list compiled by U.K. music magazine Q. The top 10 names were released yesterday (Oct. 3).
U2, formed in Dublin more than 20 years ago, remains one of the world’s top-selling groups. Bono, 42, has also emerged as a powerful lobbyist for causes such as relieving the debt of the world’s poorest nations. Earlier this year, he traveled through Africa with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill. Time magazine profiled him under the headline “Can Bono save the world?”
The list’s top-10 are Bono; Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer, Universal Music Group; rapper Eminem; L. Lowry Mays, founder of U.S. entertainment firm Clear Channel; late Nirvana leader Kurt Cobain; Radiohead’s Thom Yorke; Lyor Cohen, president and chief executive officer, Island/Def Jam Music Group; Clive Calder, head of Zomba Music Group; Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono, Apple Corps. Ltd.; and Simon Fuller, former manager of the Spice Girls.
The magazine will publish the full list of the 50 most powerful people in music in its November issue.
Copyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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