It was the summer of 1985 and U2 were pretty excited. They felt they were on the cusp of being where they wanted to be. Not just another rock band. Their music was gaining a following beyond Ireland, their records were selling and people seemed to be taking notice. There was a sense that it wouldn't be long before they broke into the elusive US market.
They had been given a magnificent opportunity, not just to help raise the desperately needed money for the starving in Africa but to get exposure to a live audience of 80,000 and 2 billion more who would be watching the televised Live Aid around the world.
The fifteen minute set would include three songs: "Pride" their big hit being the finale. This could be the making of them. Half way through their performance Bono inexplicably left his fellow band members helplessly filling in on stage, he moved forward, edging ever closer to the crowd, reaching out and gesturing as if to pull them towards him.
Finally he broke every single rule in the book and leaped from the stage. The yellow shirted security guards were panic stricken. A young woman was plucked from the sea of faces and delivered into Bono's arms. He embraced her and they danced as the band played on until he finally released her with a kiss on the back of her hand.
As the set came to an abrupt end Bono realised he'd blown it. There was no time to play "Pride" and U2 left the stage looking shell shocked.
In the days, weeks and even months after Live Aid many people said that Bono leaping down to dance with the girl was the most memorable moment of the event. That unplanned performance is now recognised as a defining moment in U2's career.
Being spontaneous and authentic it turns out can be a great way to really connect with people.
As written in You Are The Map Maker via Women In Business
No comments:
Post a Comment