MUNICH, Germany (GlossyNews) — U2 front man Bono underwent emergency back surgery on May 21, 2010, while preparing for the American leg of the band’s “360 Degree” international tour. U2, having sold an estimated 150 million records, is arguably the world’s most successful band. Any significant disruption to the concert series would deal a heavy blow to both fans and Live Nation, the promotions company responsible for handling U2’s merchandising, touring and branding rights.
The band was slated to perform in Salt Lake City on June 3. Last week, Paul McGuinnes, the band’s manager, confirmed that this venue would be postponed. The announcement impacts nearly 400 crew members who were already in Salt Lake City preparing for the concert. McGuinness also insinuated that Bono’s injury could affect upcoming shows scheduled in Anaheim, Denver and Oakland.
A spokesperson for Bono told the press that the 50-year-old singer had been admitted to a Munich hospital where he was being treated by a specialist in neurosurgery.
Doctors have called his condition unusual but not life threatening. “Currently, we’re referring to it as the ‘Atlas Syndrome’ in the records,” said Heinrich Rauptshaeller, the chief surgeon on the case.
In a statement to German media, Rauptshaeller said, “Mr. Hewson’s [Bono] condition is quite rare but not unprecedented. His tireless efforts with Amnesty International, Live 8, Band Aid, and other relief organizations have taken their toll. He is quite literally supporting the weight of the world on his shoulders. Pinned down under the crushing burden of sustaining a never-ending orgy of narcissistic philanthropy, Bono’s back literally broke into pieces.”
When asked to assess the potential for future outbreaks of Atlas Syndrome in other media darlings, Rauptshaeller said, “Given the growing number of mythomaniacs like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and Oprah, who wish to convince people of their worth by promoting the idea that the world’s problems can only be solved by outside help from celebrities and charity concerts, I suspect we’ll be seeing more of these cases soon.”
But Rauptshaeller reiterated that the condition is preventable. “I don’t want celebrities to despair. With a proper regimen of control and restraint, the Atlas Syndrome can be contained before it becomes a problem. In Bono’s case, for instance, thinking globally while acting locally could have kept him from harm. To my point, if he really wanted to save the world’s children from abuse, it may have been cheaper and easier for him to get Catholic priests in Ireland to stop buggering altar boys. Then he could have used that platform to get Catholics worldwide to stay away from little boys’ behinds. I’m just saying.”