U2's Bono Says He May Never Play Guitar Again After Cycling Accident

[big_dog]

U2 frontman Bono has said he may never play guitar again as a result of his bike accident last year. In an emotional post on the band’s website, the singer said: “Recovery has been more difficult than I thought … As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again. The band have reminded me that neither they nor western civilization are depending on this.”

The singer underwent surgery at NewYork-Presbyterian hospital for an arm broken in six places and a broken eye socket after the accident in New York’s Central Park in November. Bono wrote that he had no recollection of the accident after blacking out: “I have no memory of how I ended up in with my humerus bone sticking through my leather jacket. Very punk rock as injuries go.”

He added: “I would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my (RED) Gretsch. Just for the pleasure, aside from writing tunes. But then does the Edge, or Jimmy Page, or any guitarist you know have a titanium elbow, as I do now?” Bono’s comments were made in a lengthy A-Z summary of his 2014, which he said he wrote as an attempt to “learn from [my] mistakes – the first of which is the discovery that I am not an armoured vehicle”.

Bono has decided to cancel all public appearances and interviews for the first half of 2015 so that he can concentrate on his physical recovery. His sense of humour seems to have remained intact, however. Recalling the accident, he concluded: “I broke my hand, my shoulder, my elbow and my face, but the real injury this year was to my Irish pride as it was discovered that under my tracksuit I was wearing yellow and black Lycra cycling shorts. Yes, LYCRA. This is not very rock’n’roll.”
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/jan/02/bono-reveals-he-may-never-play-guitar-again-after-bike-accident

[treestar]

1. hope he recovers quickly

As a fan of his, I would hope he can play guitar, again, but that's not his big thing - guess he plays it to write songs but he's no Edge/Jimmy Page.

[marym625]

2. How terribly sad.

I hope he recovers at least enough that he is happy.

[tridim]

3. I'd lose it if I couldn't play guitar.

I don't even like thinking about it.

Get well Mr. Bono.

[SomethingFishy]

4. Larry, Adam and The Edge said: Don't worry,

"neither they nor Western civilization are depending on this."


Being a guitar player I understand his frustration, however I thought his bandmates were pretty funny...

[big_dog]

9. Bono might be out of action but The Boss is not :-)

the show must go on!

[Tom Ripley]

5. I thought he just wore it on his back anyway

[frazzled]

6. Physical therapy and more physical therapy

He's relatively young, and he can hopefully recuperate use of his hand and arm.

My husband had a bad bicycle accident a few years ago in which he broke his shoulder (along with a bunch of ribs, plus puncturing a lung). He couldn't lift his arm more than an inch or two for the first months. But a rigorous regimen with a good physical therapist over a period of months after the bones healed, and religiously doing exercises at home, had him able to lift his arm completely over his head within six months.

Hands are hard, but I bet it isn't impossible.

[Boomerproud]

7. Quick recovery and healing to Mr. Hewson.

I hope he continues to have a sense of humor...it will serve him well in the next year. The injuries though...eeeewww.

[mulsh]

8. Les Paul had his elbow permanetely set at an angle that allowed him to continue

the Edge should point this out to him.

From wikipedia:
"In January 1948, Paul shattered his right arm and elbow in a near-fatal automobile accident on an icy Route 66 just west of Davenport, Oklahoma. Mary Ford was driving the Buick convertible, which plunged off the side of a railroad overpass and dropped 20 feet into a ravine;[24] they were on their way back from Wisconsin to Los Angeles after visiting family.[24] Doctors at Oklahoma City's Wesley Presbyterian Hospital told Paul that they could not rebuild his elbow. Their other option was amputation. Paul was flown to Los Angeles, where his arm was set at an angle—just under 90 degrees—that allowed him to cradle and pick the guitar. It took him nearly a year and a half to recover.[28]"

[link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Paul|


Lots of guys take up slide when the carpal tunnel and nerve damage get too much for their hands. just a suggestion

[Tsiyu]

14. just posted the same thing= didn't see this

Always read all the comments!

[AngryAmish]

10. promises, promises...

[DonCoquixote]

11. Let's not forget Tony Iommi

Known as the father of heavy metal with his band, Black Sabbath. He literally had his fingers mangled in an accident at work, just as the band got signed. He had to play with a different tune, and slower, but lo and behold, it worked wonderful for the sound he did.

[Liberal_in_LA]

12. not into their.musicbut wish him well. hope he plays guitar again

[Tsiyu]

13. One of my friends was in Les Paul's band

and he related the story of his arm injury.

http://www.route66news.com/2007/09/14/les-pauls-route-66-accident-changed-pop-music/

A lot of people don't realize his arm was fused at a right angle, and he managed to keep playing until he passed.


hang in there, Bono. I'm a suck guitarist but if I could never play again I'd be be lost,