Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
My name is Ed,and Iam an American.Born in Manhattan,New York City.I live in Lower Manhattan.The area is called TriBeCa.It stands for the triangle below Canal st.I have lived here in Lower Manhattan my whole life.I also have a home in Boca Raton,FL.Its a nice option, to go there in the winter,as I hate these cold NYC winters.Iam 46 years old,I have a beautiful wife,and 4 amazing,beautiful children.My wife says that Iam actually the oldest child.I cant disagree with her on that.I have a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education.As I was finishing my senior year,student teaching,I started to explore in the world of real estate.I just went on a few hunches.A couple of Wall St investments went well,so I bought 1 apartment,then another.Next thing I knew,I was buying and selling properties in Manhattan,by the time I was 25.I was very,very lucky.The time was right.Real estate was very,very low then.Needless to say,I never went into teaching,upon graduating in 1988.
How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
From 1980-1983 my favorite bands were the Jam,and the Police.I still clearly remember the first time I heard New Year's Day.The radio station,here in NYC, kept playing it over and over,on New Year's Day 1983,the day it was released.It sounded so different to me.The guitar,the piano,Bono's voice....I just loved it.I said to myself "Who the hell is that singing ?? He's great".I went to the record store (yes,we did those things in the 80's lol),and picked up the 45 (7 inch vinyl single for you kids out there) on January 2nd,1983.I still have this single,and all the others I bought in the 1980s.I remember asking in the store,if they had the NYD single,by a band called U2.The guy in the store smiled,and said "Yes,the band from Ireland." This was news to me.It always seemed,each and every band I liked was from England.Both my grandmothers were born in Dublin,so I,in a sense,related to this.War was released Febuary 28th,1983.I bought the album the day it came out.I just loved it.Larry's drums kicking off Sunday Bloody Sunday,Seconds.Drowning Man,Two Hearts Beat As One.I was hooked.I thought the band members names were so odd.Bono ? The Edge ? I actually thought there was another member of the group called Lap Steel.Tuns out,this was a guitar Edge used.I couldnt stop listening to this band.I then purchased Boy a few days later.I loved this release as well...and that,was that.After the Jam broke up in early 1983,the Police then broke up in early 1984.U2 were " my band ".My focus was on them,and is still there 30 years on
The War album celebrates it's 30 anniversary, just like your U2 fanship does. What's your favorite War song and why?
New Year's Day.As I mentioned,this is the song that got me interested in U2,and War was the first album I bought.Iam very sentimental towards this album,and NYD.Whenever I hear NYD,it brings me back to that day,in1983.
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 friend Chris,who lives in London,England,is a big U2 fan.My wife likes U2,as do my children.They really dont have a choice.My oldest daughter will be 19 in May,and she has seen U2 many times since 2005.My 2 youngest daughters love City of Blinding Lights.My wife says I have brainwashed all of her children into U2 fans.
You have travelled quite a bit for U2, what was your favorite trip and why?
The farthest I have traveled for U2 (so far),is to London,England.My friend Chris lives there,and we saw U2 at Twickenham Stadium,06.18.05.The show was fantastic.I was moved when the band played NYD.I have been fortunate, to travel many,many times to Europe,seeing some of my favorite bands.Chris works for the BBC,and his connections still amaze me.My family and I stayed with him and his family,me made a vacation out of it.He of course showed us all around London.The pubs,the people,it was all great,or as he would say "brilliant.".
Do you have any plans or dreams should U2 tour again? Any cities you will not miss out on?
I suppose I should try and see the band in Ireland.But Chris has said to me,that is what a "bloody tourist would do"..lol..I would actually prefer a U2 trip to Germany.I have visited Munchen, many times over the years.I came close in 2010,next time I will go,no question.
What do you think of Bono's charity works?
Im used to Bono's charity affairs.He is a man of stong beliefs.While I dont always agree with his opinions,I respect them.Im fine with his charities,as long as they don't interfere with U2.
Living in New York, what do you think of U2's music post 9/11 in relation to yourself? Does a song like City Of Blinding Lights mean more to you?
Living only a few blocks from the World Trade Center,I,along with countless others,was deeply affected by those events.As Bono said "All our lives changed that day." The whole ATYCLB release took on such a new meaning for me.Songs like New York,Walk On,Stuck In A Moment,Peace On Earth,When I look At The World and Kite.This release was made for someone like me,to cope with,during that turbulent time.To this day,Walk On brings me back to that time.Also,The Hands That Built America,seems to be a song thats pays homage to the victims of 9/11."A cloud on the NY skyline ".The song is also paying tribute to the Irish,who came to America,and "built it",as my Grandmother used to say.
How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
The thing I love about U2, is that they have been able to withstand so many changes in music,and survive.They are a band,in every sense and meaning of the word BAND.They were friends first,then a gang who became a band.You dont see the Edge or Bono running around doing solo projects (as they very well could).Their primary focus has been,and will always be U2.
What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
I love to travel.I was fortunate,as a child,to have parents who traveled to Europe with me each and every year.I do this as much as possible now with my family.Europe is amazing.But,it seems that my 3 youngest children enjoy going to Disneyworld,more than Europe.Im sure this will change one day.
Iam a season ticket holder to the New York Rangers,who play hockey inside Madison Square Garden.I attend many,many,many concerts all aound the metropolitan area..as Matt (RUMMY) and Ron (Clover 69) can attest to..lol
I love to exercise.There is nothing like going for a jog,each morning around Lower Manhattan.Believe me,it is different each and every time.
Musically,as a child of the 1980s,my taste in music is all over the place.The 60s (the Beatles,Stones and Who),70s (The Police,Clash,Pink Floyd and THE JAM),80s (U2,The Cure,Depeche Mode,Squeeze,The Smiths/Morrissey,Simple Minds,Sting),90s (Pearl Jam,DMB,OASIS/Noel Gallagher,blur,Soundgarden,Paul Weller,Foo Fighters and RADIOHEAD).
Music has always been,and will always be my number one "hobby".For me,there is nothing like traveling somewhere,to see your favorite band.
Thanks for this interview EDDMB!
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Loved the bits about War, now that it's the anniversary and all... Wow, 30 years is a long time for someone to still love a band and the same songs. Respect 