1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month August of 2013 is user GIM1970. Read along for the interview we had this this U2 fan.


    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    hi,
    my name is Simon and I live in Rossendale, near Manchester , England.
    I work as a computer aided design engineer for a large commercial truck manufacturer. I am 43 years old. married with 2 children.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    I first became I fan of u2 in 1983 with the release of War I had heard some of the songs on the radio then got my dad to buy me the album (which he never really approved of), what really did it for me was when the tube ( a music programme on tv at the time) showed some clips from the Red rocks concert and when I saw that it just blew me away, and ever since I have been hooked.

    Did you ever have a special U2 experience like a live concert? Can you tell us something about it?
    I have been lucky enough to see U2 on several occasions my count is now at 14. My first was at the Milton Keynes bowl in 1985. the bootleg is called the longest day. it was such a great day and being my first it was very special for me. but the best gig by a mile was the zootv tour at Rounhay park in leeds the day and night was just unbelievable. what I remember most about the day was waliking in the grounds after queing up for 5 hours to getbto the front and just stopping in my tracks at the sheer size of the stage and set up, I thought the stage for the Joshua tre was good but this was something else and something that nobody had ever done before plus the show as outstanding, as bono says at the gig they played there for the popmart tour ( which I went to as well) that the leeds gig was the best night of the whole zootv tour. what a night.

    Where do you most prefer to listen to U2?
    I can listen to the boys anywhere and at any time but I do love when I have the house to myself I put a disc on and turn it up loud. love it.

    What does your U2 collection look like? What kind of stuff do you have and how is it organised?
    I have a vast u2 collection that I have collected over the years, I have all the vinyls and also have the same on cd ( which drives the wife mad) I have also a large collection of vinyl bootlegs that I collected during the 90's at various record fairs around the north west of England. they are my pride and joy and worth a bit money now. I have it all organised inn order of release ( which also drives my wife mad because if any have been moved then I know. !!!!!)

    Does anyone in your family or one of your friends like U2? If so, did they introduce you to U2, or did you "convert" them?
    my wife like s them a bit, she never really listened to them much, she just put up with me and my obsession. but after all the years of me going to gigs I finally took her to see them at the city of Manchester std on the atomic bomb tour and she loved every minute, she has since them again now on 2 occasions at the Sheffield don valley on 360 and at Cardiff on 360 and she listens to them a lot more. but she still thinks I am mad.

    What is your favorite U2 book, and why?
    my favourite book is The Unforgettable Fire by Eamon Dunphy , a very honest , true and well written book in my opinion.

    If there would be only one U2 song you could hear the rest of your life, which one would it be?
    in my pervious response to these questions I put Out Of Control as the song I would listen to because I just think it captures what U2 is about the raw live energy that they built up during the 80's and 90's. its also sounds great live now as it did 30 years ago which tells me there music was way ahead of its time. other songs could be included I love crumbs from your table, streets , and walk on to name a few.

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    I think they differ in the way that they are able to better them selves as time goes on through the years they have proved to be the front runners in big stadium gigs , nobody does it any better. also there song writing and performances are second to none they just get better and better a very rare thing in todays modern music.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    I have been in the mod way of life for about 30 odd years now which is kind of a standing joke with my friends and family, ( how can you be a mod and also be into U2 ) but I don't see a problem with it. I have recently bought a vespa scooter and go to all the rallies tom the coast. I am also a avid Manchetser utd fan and love going to the games as we live quite near.



    Thanks for this interview GIM1970!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Great interview, great to know an unknown fan a little better. Lucky you, the Leeds shows are always awesome (and Zoo & Popmart even more). Congrats


    PS. Tell your wife that if she wants to send some of your annoying collectibles my way, she is very welcome to do so
  3. Great read, Simon!

    I too have my collection ordered by release, any other way would just be wrong! Amazed that you are one of the lucky few to have attended Leeds Popmart, I love that bootleg.

    Feel free to join us in the Football / Soccer topic too
  4. Hi Simon !

    I have my collection ordered by release too ...and why our wifes go mad with our love to U2 ???
    I have the same problem .....