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AC/DC frontman Brian Johnson is taking on Bono and Bob Geldof for their public displays of charity work.

"When I was a working man I didn't want to go to a concert for some bastard to talk down to me that I should be thinking of some kid in Africa," he told Melbourne's Herald Sun. "I'm sorry mate, do it yourself, spend some of your own money and get it done. It just makes me angry. I become all tyrannical."

Johnson said that his own band prefers to make their charitable contributions in private.

"Do a charity gig, fair enough, but not on worldwide television," he said.

AC/DC turned down a slot at Live Aid in 1985.

"I do it myself, I don't tell everybody I'm doing it," Johnson said. "I don't tell everybody they should give money - they can't afford it."

Bono has nominated three times for the Nobel Peace Prize. A 2005 New York Times op-ed accused him and other celebrity philanthropists like Angelina Jolie for being "mythomaniacs, people who wish to convince the world of their worth."

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Comments

[Jigglypuff]

Click on the actual Herald Sun article and you'll see Johnson didn't even mention Bono's name - it's Geldof and the way he has profited off of his "humanitarian" work that doesn't sit well with Brian Johnson. The quote they should have put above:
"Bob Geldof is a canny lad. He did what he thought was right at the time but it didn't work," he said. "The money didn't go to poor people. It makes me mad when people try to use politics or charity for publicity.
I agree with Johnson here.
And, in general, I also understand if Aussies distrust Geldof because of, (original INXS frontman), Michael Hutchence's death in 1997. There's bad blood there and some of my Australian friends even feel that Geldof "stole" Michael Hutchence's child from her actual blood relatives.

[Badger84]

I'm lukewarm on his music but I give him credit. Its hard to raise the awareness of people who cling to a security blanket of knee-jerk cynicism masquerading as sophistication.

[clevelandchick]

I cannot stand Bono. The guy is all about self aggrandizement. My favorite story illustrating the ego that is Bono is when he was in Australia at a concert...he started clapping and yelled to the audience that every time he clapped his hands a child died in Africa....then a voice in the crowd said "Then stop clapping you d**khead".

This guy has gazillions, he has more than enough money to give 100 villages in Africa potable water. Yet for that to happen somebody in America has to spend $200 dollars on a sweatshop made 'U2' I-pod or Chinese sweatshop made "Red" clotthes from the Gap. He cuddles up to the Bushies and wants someone to give him saint status for the fact that 5% of the sweatshop made products with his band's name on it goes to Africa.

If any of these so-called activist icons really gave a rats @ass about people they'd make sure their band merchanise was made by union and/or non-sweatshop labor.

[40ishMom]

That story about Bono and the heckler in the audience is an urban legend (see http://www.snopes.com/music/artists/bono.asp).

How do you know he isn't giving 100 villages in Africa potable water?

I don't understand why a celebrity like Bono who stays off drugs, stays married to his high school sweetheart, and spends his free time trying to help others gets criticized. Fine if you're not a fan, but don't knock him for trying to do some good in this world.

[clevelandchick]

I could care less about Bono or any other celebrity's personal life.....I'm not going to give the man a gold star for staying married to his wife or not doing drugs.

Maybe that amusing story is an urban legend but there is evidence that Bono is a flaming hypocrite, refusing to pay his taxes just like any other greedy multi-millionaire.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-400188/St-Bono-hypocrite.html

That is NOT an urban legend.

Like I said...he may care about Africa but his charity merchandise is made with sweatshop labor. Another example of his hypocrisy.

You want to like a hypocrite...fine. I just call 'em like I see 'em. Bono sucks.

[Kliff215]

Why is it you can do all the evil, selfish crap and make money and fame off of it but as soon as you make money off of doing good you are demonized? They do it to Al Gore for investing in alternative energy. Whatever!

[clevelandchick]

Maybe AC/DC wouldn't think Bono was so bad if he paid his taxes.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-400188/St-Bono-hypocrite.html

[RevBookburn]

Whever people do work out of compassion and humanity, especially famous people, there will be ignorant comments like those of Brian Johnson. It worked well for him. His ridiculous remarks, during a catostropic time, resulted in far more publicity than he would have received as a washed up performer. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta

[Agentlady007]

Oh Ah ooo Ah , this group U2 ( Amy favorite tied with The Beatles) made me feel so real in France when I lived there, all alone and had the time of my life... All I heard was their music.
I love them. Forever.
Time for a Song:
Shakira - New
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXQXs3Lr0UA

[AnnaBanana88]

I credit Bono/U2 for making young people of my generation (20s) aware of issues that get minimal attention in our media. Some of it may be cheesy, but to use one's celebrity to shed light on un-sexy topics doesn't seem all that evil to me. AC/DC, on the other hand, needs to do a better job of making my generation aware of what they're known for because I haven't got a clue.

[GoodwithWood]

http://www.last.fm/music/AC%252FDC/_/Jailbreak

[bridgeman]

Bono has been doing charity work when U2 were playing pubs in the early days.
it is an outworking of his faith. I think we have it wrong...it isn't that he is looking publicity
its that the media finds him. Brian Johnson need to do more to care for the poor not
seek out the press to pi.ss on a hero.

[78Thomas]

Take it easy people.
Can Brian have an opinion?
Thats all it is, just his opinion. He's not out organizing an anti-celebrity activists organization.

BTW - forgiving the nations of Africa debt WILL DO NOTHING FOR THE AVERAGE AFRICAN.
Go ahead and do it. Forgive all the debt. And 100% gurantee the life of the average african of those nations will not change.

[LibDrummer]

ITs not that he has an opinion, he is attacking others for thier opinions. He sounds like a self
absorbed child.

[Mearcy]

...and why is he worried about what Bono does? Envy much? Mr. Johnson does it his way and Bono does it his way. If underpriviledged people are being helped, YEAH!!!!

[codergrrl]

About time somebody in the industry came out and said it.....Bob Geldof used to be a half-assed musician and now he has "Sir" in front of his name because of his charity work. Bono is a pompous jerk.

[Eris23]

Bill Gates is quite a jerk as well at times and, yet, his charity work has been stellar. Does one cancel out the other?

[codergrrl]

No way, as an IT professional I think Bill Gates is the Devil Incarnate. He could turn Africa and Haiti into Euro Disney with his billions of bucks and he would still be the same in my eyes.

[Twrexx]

Yeah, how dare that Bono use his massive wealth to try to improve the lives of the poor. Where does this guy get the ego! He should just sit around in his mansion drinking until he chokes on his own vomit the way Bon Scott did (who, by the way, was far superior to Brian Johnson as AC/DC frontman).

I've seen interviews with Bono many times, most recently on Spectacle with Elvis Costello. He's one of the most humble guys there is, and anyone who says he's doing charity work just for the publicity is completely clueless. I'm pretty sure Bono's got enough publicity from a long and wildly successful career.

I've never understood this need to denigrate those who spend their lives helping others. I guess it must be hip to be cynical, but nothing much comes from it.

[Mearcy]

....Bono also still together with his high school sweetheart :o)

[yvetterene]

I really could not have said it better myself!

[jdrourke]

Calm down, BJ. None of us our in any position to tell someone how to help others, so long as they aren't hurting others.

That said, what's up with your record deal with Wal-mart? That's not very "rock-n-roll"...

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/

[cookmeyer1970]

Johnson is clueless. Bono doesn't ask fans to give money. It's all about policy change and he's clearly been effective—the One organization has more members than the NRA. At the peak of fame and fortune, Bono basically enrolled at Harvard in order to become an expert in issues of poverty and AIDS in Africa. The man has hit the streets of D.C. and schooled high-ranking politicians. This is not celebrity charity as usual. Quite the contrary, which is probably why Bono has also been a Nobel Peace Prize nominee. No other pop star in history can claim that. He's an all new category.

[40ishMom]

Couldn't have said it better myself.

[rzan1]

He enrolled in Harvard? He must have gotten fantastic grades in high school.

[SaltySaltillo]

Johnson is clueless, but let's stop inflating the myth of "Bono the Exceptional".

[Bluemax1]

I agree with doing charity without telling anyone. I also
agree with cookmeyer1970 that in the case of Bono
I never questioned his intent as he "walked the walk".
He has had such an impact for good that I admire him
and thank him for his dedication. He has led by example
and we are blessed to have him.

[vicusjones]

Yeah, Bono! How dare you use your star power to influence people to give to the needy!! GOSH!!