Bono: "It is not clear that I will ever play guitar again"

In November the U2 frontman suffered injuries after "high-energy bicycle accident" in Central Park

Published January 2, 2015 3:58PM (EST)

This March 7, 2014, file photo shows Bono speaking to delegates during the European People's Party Elections Congress at the convention center, Dublin, Ireland. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
This March 7, 2014, file photo shows Bono speaking to delegates during the European People's Party Elections Congress at the convention center, Dublin, Ireland. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Bono revealed that he may never play guitar again, due to injuries he sustained after a bike accident in New York City, in November of 2014. In a blogpost titled "Little Book of a Big Year Bono's A to Z of 2014," the U2 frontman listed the highs and lows of 2014, including the Central Park incident. He wrote:

"I IS FOR IRISH PRIDE

I broke my hand, my shoulder, my elbow and my face but the real injury this year was to my Irish pride as it was discovered that under my tracksuit I was wearing yellow and black Lycra cycling shorts. Yes, LYCRA. This is not very rock 'n' roll.

"Recovery has been more difficult than I thought... As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again. The band 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 (RED) Gretsch. 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? I'm all elbows, I am."

Bono's many injuries included fractured his eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow; doctors called it a "high-energy bicycle accident," according to the Associated Press.

The Edge is U2's main guitarist, and the band is preparing for a U.S. tour, which is scheduled to begin in May.


By Sarah Gray

Sarah Gray is an assistant editor at Salon, focusing on innovation. Follow @sarahhhgray or email sgray@salon.com.

MORE FROM Sarah Gray


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Arm Band Bicycle Accident Bono Entertainment Guitar Injury Music U2