U2 Elevation Tour

Elevation Tour 2nd leg: Europe

2001-08-21: Earl's Court Arena - London, England

Bono's agony after dad dies

By DOMINIC MOHAN
at Earl's Court

BRAVE rock superstar Bono went ahead with a gig last night hours after his father died - so he would not disappoint his fans.

The devastated U2 frontman was with dad Bob Hewson, 75, when he died of cancer at 4am yesterday in a Dublin hospital.

But he later flew to London and performed in front of 17,000 fans at Earl's Court. As he walked on stage wearing black, the red-eyed singer knelt and made the sign of the cross.

Bono was given a standing ovation as he made an emotional address to the crowd. He said: "We all want to thank my old man for giving me this voice. He was a fine tenor and said to me if only I had his voice, just think what could happen.

"He was very ill over the last few weeks but he's no longer with us. He has left the planet like Elvis."

Bono, 41 - real name Paul Hewson - then introduced the U2 song Kite which is about love and death.

He said: "I wrote this for my kids, but now I think my old man wrote it for me." Then, as many fans wept, he sang: "Something is about to give. I can feel it coming. I think I know what it is."

A source close to the band said: "Bono's view was that the show must go on. He was determined not to let anyone down - it's typical of the man.

"He was absolutely devastated by his father's death but he did know it was coming."

Bono's brother Norman, 47, is also thought to have been at former postal worker Bob's side at the end. Their mother Iris died 27 years ago. The singer had been jetting back to Dublin's Beaumont Hospital after every gig on U2's British tour - and slept in a room near his dad.

Bono will also go ahead with U2's eagerly-awaited weekend "homecoming" dates at Slane Castle, north west of Dublin.

Fans at last night's gig saluted the star's courage.

Technician Alan Dodd, 25, of Limehouse, East London, said: "It's awesome to go through that, then go out in front of thousands of fans."

Hairdresser Julee Edwards, 26, of Ealing, said: "It's a really brave act."

Recruitment worker Debbie Ogborne, 29, of Islington, North London, said: "This is an incredible commitment to his fans. The guy is an absolute hero."

Account manager Jo Turner, 27, of Hampstead, said: "It's a brilliant tribute to his father."