FANS from all over the world have paid tribute to Bono on the U2 frontman's 60th birthday.
The Dublin-born music icon is having a lowkey celebration at home with his family this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions – but he’s more than happy with that.
"I was going to have a quiet birthday anyway,” he told The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1 this week.
“Just go for a long walk, that was the plan, a bit of a pilgrimage with the family,”
"There are people giving up a lot more than their birthdays, think of people cancelling their weddings, funerals, think about that.
“I am grateful to just have got here, I am really grateful to the people who got me to where I am, to the band, my mates and the country who gave U2 a great life who allowed us to be useful in this time."
In lieu of a big birthday party, Bono has been treated to a raft of messages from well-wishers on Twitter.
Shane MacGowan’s wife, Victoria May Clarke, was among those to wish him a happy birthday on behalf of them both.
“Bono we love you and we wish you the most beautiful birthday imaginable, you are a magical being and a wonderful friend and also mighty craic and not a bad singer,” she wrote alongside a picture of them together with The Pogues frontman.
Bono we love you and we wish you the most beautiful birthday imaginable, you are a magical being and a wonderful friend and also mighty craic and not a bad singer #Bono60 pic.twitter.com/KJOaq6Ydx0
— @victoriamary (@Victoriamary) May 8, 2020
There was also a message from Republic of Ireland and former Manchester United star Paul McGrath.
Just want to welcome this lad to the 60s club, I’m honored to call him a pal...💚🇮🇪 ☘️ pic.twitter.com/Zk8UQQcBPr
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) May 9, 2020
However, it was the outpouring from fans that proved strongest.
A band that has, on occasion divided critics, U2's popularity remains as strong as ever among the wider public with fans across the globe taking to Twitter with photos, drawings and cherished memories of Bono and the band.
Here are just a few of our favourite posts:
Happy Birthday Bono! #Bono60 - @U2 at @SSEBelfastArena October 2018 🎶 pic.twitter.com/ggHDXWrfwJ
— Ryan Smith (@Ryan_Smith94) May 10, 2020
#Bono60 Happy birthday to you . Keep sending the music and the memories 👍
— Paula Manning (@pman170) May 10, 2020
Happy 60th Birthday Bono! 🥰#BonoU2 #Bono60 #U2 #u2babyfan #paulhewson #PaulDavidHewson pic.twitter.com/6u9CkasAwT
— U2Girona (@U2Girona) May 10, 2020
#Bono60 Happy 60th Bono💚photos from Twickenham 2017, one of the best concerts we’ve ever been to #lockdown really makes you appreciate all the live music we’ve made the effort to go to over the years😍🙏@U2 pic.twitter.com/eSUUmdGtGN
— Catherine Redmond🌻💙💛 (@Redmo8Catherine) May 10, 2020
Happy Birthday to Bono, the writer of my favorite song. #Bono60 ❤️ https://t.co/V5WDLyrBFH
— Kauai0604 (@Kauai0604) May 10, 2020
Happy Birthday to the main man!#u2 #bono #bgbb #bonosglobalbirthdaybash #vivabono #vivabono60 #cheersbono #cheersbono60 #happybirthdaybono #bono60 #bonobirthday #bonosbirthdaybash @u2 pic.twitter.com/oS3FNX6EOV
— Sunny Bono (@SunnyBono) May 10, 2020
Bono you’ve inspired and supported a lot of people during this years and you’ll continue to do. I believe you are happy to celebrate your birthday in the Mother’s Day. Iris always hold you close. Happy birthday. #bono #Bono60 #BonoBirthday
— stefano selvatici (@selva_stefano) May 10, 2020
To our Showman, we want to thank you for giving us the lyrics of your heart and soul that have become the soundtrack of our lives and for encouraging us to do what’s right for all humankind. Happy #Bono60 from the Zootopia Mod Team - May it be filled with much joy and peace. pic.twitter.com/FfEDCqeEhS
— U2.cøm Zøø Møds (@U2comZooMods) May 10, 2020
When I started out as young painter I naively thought I’d get a call from Bono asking to buy one of my paintings😢 Never happened, but I still love the music as much as ever!🥰 Happy birthday 60th Bono, here’s just a few of the many drawings I did over the years @U2 #Bono #Bono60 pic.twitter.com/159BZomyyr
— Niall O'Loughlin Artist (@nialloloughlin) May 10, 2020
Happy Birthday to my favorite guy in the entire universe!!! May the joy you bring to others be always a constant in your life 🎈🎂. #HappyBirthdayBono #U2 #Bono60 pic.twitter.com/KpHFXtoKyc
— Sil (@SilRigote) May 10, 2020
Happy 60th Birthday Bono. 💋 we will raise a glass to you. 🍷 #BonoBirthday #Bono60 pic.twitter.com/Wu0cts0bIK
— Lesley (@DryJd72) May 10, 2020
#Bono60 pic.twitter.com/0t8AubXjtm
— Wes (@wesy_b) May 10, 2020
Happy birthday to you ❤
#Bono #VivaBono60 #Bono60 #CheersBono #BuonCompleannoBono #HappyBirthdayBono pic.twitter.com/mSRJEyc7AH— Patrizia p (@cederwood) May 10, 2020
Happy Birthday Bono!
