Lorraine Keane on U2

“My father is a musician – in fact he still plays in a showband now after 50 years – so I was surrounded by music growing up. When U2 came along, it was a very different sound for Irish music."
"My friend Ali was, and still is, the biggest fan going, so she got me into them. You knew from the start they were something special. It’s incredible that, so many years later, they’re still getting it right. They are the biggest rock stars in the world – and they’re Irish. Anyone who doesn’t appreciate that, and shout it from the rooftops, is just an eejit."
“There’s no band like them for a spectacular live show. I’ve seen them in various corners of the world – partly because of the day job, but also as a fan. To see them in Dublin, though, is extra special. There is something great about Irish audiences. Granted, it’s something lots of bands say, but when it’s repeated so often I don’t think they’re just plámásing us."
“I’ve been on more than a few rooftops with the band, but the most memorable was at the Viacom building in New York, where they were shooting an exclusive for MTV. I was out with some friends the night before, and bumped into Bono and the lads. There were no cameras allowed, because it was a secret shoot, but Bono told me to come to the building at 2pm. I figured I’d just enjoy the show, but when I got there he’d organised a camera crew for me, so I got an exclusive interview before they played, as well as footage of the performance. I was only over there on holidays, so you can imagine what the reaction was when I sent the tape back to TV3. I was the golden girl in the news room for quite some time after that!”
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