Well, it wasn’t exactly billed as Woodstock, but the band U2 ran into its own kind of violent protest last night.
U2, and its front man Bono, have long been known for their environmental and social issues, but Bono has come under intense pressure this last month when it was discovered he had dodged taxes in Ireland.
Fans have been protesting the band since the news came out and feel that if they have to pay their taxes that Bono should too.
And things turned ugly in Glastonbury when upset vigilantes calling themselves “Art Uncut” blew up a 20 foot balloon inscribed with the words "U Pay Your Tax 2."
Police struggled with the group before beating them to the ground and destroying the balloon. About 35 people were involved in the violent clash but it’s unknown how many arrests were made.
U2’s Bono, guitarist The Edge, bassist Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen are some of the richest individuals in Ireland and have been criticized for not paying their taxes.
One protestor said,
“U2 and its members have more money than all of us put together and should be paying taxes just like everybody else. Ireland is in the middle of its worst economic downturn and we find out these guys are skipping out. It’s just not fair.”
In a flashback to Woodstock, over 150,000 people had descended on a farm in Glastonbury in southwest England for the concert which includes acts by Morrissey, U2, Mumford & Sons, Coldplay, Beyonce and many others.
While being billed as a humanitarian event many of the fans took the opportunity to protest U2’s hypocrisy.
Another protestor said,
“We know the band has done a lot for not only Ireland but the rest of the people in the World. But when they won’t even pay the taxes in their own country it makes you think they have sold out and it’s really all about the money. They have enough mansions, cars, and toys – now they should make things right at home.”
Many of the fans protested in one way or another and there were thousands of people sporting T-shirts or signs that said “U2 – Bring it home. Pay your taxes.”
Watch U2 Live Performance at Glastonbury
Many of the bands supporters became upset in 2006 when U2 moved its corporate headquarters to the Netherlands where taxes on music royalties are very low. This left many Irish fans feeling like they had been abandoned and betrayed by Bono.
Nobody from U2’s team has commented yet on the incident.
Forbes is known for having its own unique type of clout and power.
They rank not only celebrities, but also powerful business and political figures on their respective top lists.
But this week their focus was on celebrities.
The Celebrity 100, which includes actors, Television personalities, models, athletes, authors, musicians and comedians, is a measure of showbiz related income and media visibility over the last twelve months.
Forbes also measures social media power by looking at each celebrity's presence on Facebook and Twitter. The criteria for being included on the list do NOT fall solely on money.
Today they released their “World’s 100 Most Powerful Celebrity” list and the results… well, aren’t as surprising as you might think - at least for the top 10.
But how powerful are the top 100? The combined earning power of celebs on this elite list tops $4.5 billion in earnings from record sales, concert tours, movies, endorsements, advertising, product sales, playing sports, and modeling.
Lady Gaga came in at #1 with $90 million in earnings and bumped Oprah Winfrey into the #2 spot. But don’t feel bad for Winfrey – she made over $250 million the last 12 months.
Teen pop sensation Justin Bieber came in #3 earning well over $50 million over the last twelve months and an estimated $150 million over the last three years. Bieber’s command of social media like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pushed him onto the list for the first time in the 17-year-old’s career.
U2 came in as #4. The Bono centric band is well known for their worldwide social awareness and charity work. Singer and AIDS activist Sir Elton John came in #5.
A summary of the top 10 spots is below and you can see the entire list on the Forbes web site.
1 – Lady Gaga - $90 M 2 – Oprah Winfrey - $250 M 3 – Justin Bieber - $53 M 4 – U2 - $195 M 5 – Sir Elton John - $100 M 6 – Tiger Woods - $75 M 7 – Taylor Swift - $45 M 8 – Bon Jovi - $135 M 9 – Simon Cowell - $90 10 – LeBron James - $48 m
There were a few surprises this year including Glenn Beck, Adam Sandler, and Jay Leno. I guess we don’t see exactly how they are among the most powerful, but who are we to argue with Forbes?
It seems the farther down the list you go things become a bit more of a popularity contest, but we congratulate all of them for their efforts and input into the industry.
Well, here we are. Someone asked me earlier today if I was going to watch the Idol finale shows, and I sighed and said yes. They asked me who I thought would win, and I sighed again and said, "I dunno. Not sure if I care." They asked me why I would still watch, and I sighed again and said, "Because I've invested far too much time into this season to not finish it."
And so it goes.
THIS IS AMERICAN
IDOL
It's Crystal vs. Lee. Don't get me wrong... I think they are both talented. Both have great voices, both have had numerous stand-out performances, and truly, through this season, America made the right decision when figuring out who to put in the Top Two. That being said, neither are really all that... well, super. Idol is looking for a superstar, and both are just... well, talented singers that are getting a bigger chance than most.
And in a case of bad choreography, Lee ambles down the aisle, while Crystal starts off in a sprint, the mic booms like she drops something, she runs back and faces the camera looking confused. Seacrest tells us they will be singing a song from this season, one as chosen by Idol producer Simon Fuller and finally, one that they'll be releasing if they win.
Lee DeWyze chooses "The Boxer" to sing as his song already performed this year. Not bad, though it just sounds like what he did a few weeks ago during "Inspirational Week". Randy the Dawg liked it, Ellen DeG says, "I couldn't be prouder if I birthed you myself". Kara the New Hotness says she wants more. Simon the Cowell wants a lot more.
Crystal Bowersox is reprising "Me and Bobby McGee" from #1s week, a song made famous by Janis Joplin. She does it well, I guess, reminds me of Janis' original, which is good. Randy the Dawg thought it was dope. America's Favorite Lesbian Ellen DeGeneres calls her compelling. Kara the New Hotness loves the fire in her (C'Bosox) belly. Simon the Cowell says this was her best.
Now, the second song to be done by Lee DeWyze, singing "Everybody Hurts" from REM. This song is a producer's choice. This was also a song from my college years, 1994 to be exact, from the album "Automatic for the People" back when REM was.. well, when they were relevent. Seriously, the to' up the late 80s and early to mid-90s with this song, "Shiny Happy People", "The One I Love", "End of the World As We Know It (and I feel fine)" and of course, "Losing My Religion", that song where Michael Stipe just sits in a stool and flails his arms around in the video, looking almost cool doing it.
Ever seen the video to "Everybody Hurts"? Like, all these cars get stuck on a bridge, and everyone gets out of their cars and start walking, much to the surprise of the newcaster narrating. Oh, Randy, Ellen, Kara and Simon liked Lee here.
Back in school, there was a guy we knew obsessed with REM. We used to kid around and tell him that REM stood for Rear End Men. Turns out, years later, Stipe would prove that to be correct. Go figure. I was only more shocked when I found out that Nathan Lane was gay.
Crystal comes out singing "Black Velvet", a song I destest and deplore. And she's doing it in a dress that is not doing her curvy figure any favors. I believe Clarice in "Steel Magnolias" said it best, at Shelby's reception... "looks like two pigs fightin' under a blanket"
Randy the Dawg loved it. Ellen DeG loved it. Kara the New Hotness loved it. Simon the Cowell loved it. Of course.
Personally, I like "Love Is", Alannah Myles "Black Velvet" follow up, much better. You know, the last song she released before disappearing into obscurity.
If Lee DeWyze wins it all, this will be his song... "Beautiful Day" is the tune. Is this... is this the U2 song? Seriously? I guess that makes sense... every song they attempt to write for the Idols absolutely blows chunks, so let's find a proven winner by rippin' someone else's song.
Randy the Dawg liked it. Ellen DeG liked it. Kara the New Hotness liked it. Simon the Cowell liked it. I thought it was good.
And Crystal's song is "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)". Its a song done by Patty Griffin, by also covered by Kelly Clarkson and Jeff Beck during Idol Gives Back in 2007. And C'Bosox's version? I thought it was fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. By the way, I didn't add the phrase (MLK Song) as any attempt to be cynical or sarcastic--thats part of the title.
So sez Wiki: "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" is a contemporary folk song written by Patty Griffin. The song touches upon emotions surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr.'s famous 1968 "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, given the day before his assassination in Memphis, Tennessee.
Here's my picks for tonight... Crystal's "Up to the Mountain"... Crystal's "Me and Bobby McGee"... Lee's "Beautiful Day"... Lee's "Everybody Hurts"... Lee's "The Boxer"... Crystal's "Black Velvet"
Peronsally, I think Crystal Bowersox wins this, and if she does, I will immediately purchase "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" by C'Bosox as soon as its available.
And to wrap up, its Will Young, the winner of the UK's Pop Idol, and the guy who sings "Leave Right Now", the exit song for Idol this year is onstage singing that very song. The Lovely Steph Leann and I debate on whether he's black or not. I think he could be, she says no.
Tomorrow night at 8pm, join me here on Clouds as I give a running diary of the finals... why at 8? Well, if I wait an hour, I can fast forward through commercials, the Ford Music Video, random performances we want to skip and so on.
