Advertisement

Bono may ‘never play guitar again’ after accident

Bono, pictured with his guitar in Toronto in 2011. John R. Kennedy / Global News

LONDON — Bono says he now has a titanium elbow and may never play guitar again due to injuries suffered in a New York City cycling accident.

The 54-year-old U2 frontman suffered multiple injuries, including fractures to his left eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow, when he crashed his bike in Central Park in November. He required hours of surgery after what doctors called a “high-energy bicycle accident.”

On the band’s website Thursday, Bono said the “recovery has been more difficult than I thought. As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again.”

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

He added that his bandmates – The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen – “have reminded me that neither they nor Western civilization are depending on this.”

“I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my … Gretsch,” Bono wrote. “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?”

Story continues below advertisement

The Edge is U2’s principal guitarist.

Bono said he hadn’t “been able to move around physically” since the accident, and would “have to concentrate hard” to be ready for a U2 tour due to start May 14 and 15 at Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.

The band is also scheduled to perform in Montreal on June 12, 13, 16, and 17 and in Toronto July 6 and 7.

– with files by Global News

Sponsored content

AdChoices