"Music can change the world because it can change people. "

Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, is the singer of the Irish band U2. He does a great deal of charitable work, in particular to help the people of Africa.

Bono is Irish and was raised as a member of the Church of Ireland. His father's religious faith was based upon Roman Catholism; his mother's, Prostestant. His mother died when he was only fourteen years old. He attended a mixed faither high school in Dublin, Mount Temple Comprehensive School. This was where he was nicknamed "Bono Vox Of O'Connell St." "Bono Vox" literally means "The voice to the good man." "Bono" is also latin slang for "sexy."

In 1976 he helped form the band Feedback, after drummer Larry Mullen placed an ad seeking out musicians. Bono responded and began writing lyrics and playing guitar for the band. This band eventually became U2.

U2 gained a reputation for powerful live performances, and U2 found themselves with a very busy touring schedule. By 1987, the band had found fame with the release of The Joshua Tree. The band toured relentlessly for two-and-a-half years in the late 80s, then stepped out of the public eye to record a new album. In 1991, Achtung Baby was released. This was the first album that included a love song. Most of his lyrics, before this album, were influenced by his social work.

Bono's social work includes AIDS charity, Ethiopian famine relief, a 1986 Amnesty International Conspiracy of Hope tour, and a 1999 Net Aid internet concert that raised money to reduce third world debt. His most involved social campaign was Jubilee 2000, which raised money to reduce third world debt, and involved Thom Yorke and Quincy Jones; he spoke before United Nations and US audiences and political figures. He co-founded DATA (Debt AIDS Trade Africa) and performed at the 2005 Live 8 concert in London.

However, some accuse Bono of having good intentions but bad judgment. In the op-ed article All Rock, No Action in the July 15, 2005 edition of the New York Times, Jean-Claude Shanda Tonme wrote that "neither debt relief nor huge amounts of food aid nor an invasion of experts will change anything. Those will merely prop up the African continent's dictators." He added that "the musicians at Live 8 were singing to amuse the crowds and to clear their own consciences, and whether they realized it or not, to reinforce dictatorships."

In August, 1982, Bono married his high school sweetheart, Alison. They have four children; Jordan, Memphis Eve, Elijah Bob Patricius Guggi Q, and John Abraham.