Benjamin Carroll

U2 Dedicates Song to Anthony Bourdain at Apollo Theater Show in NYC

The 61-year old Bourdain was found dead of an apparent suicide last week in France

What to Know

  • The 61-year old Anthony Bourdain was found dead of an apparent suicide last week in France
  • Bono spoke of losing a 'lot of inspiring, useful people' over the past few years 'who gave up on their own life'
  • Bono then launched into an impassioned version of 'Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of,' a Grammy-winning song about suicide

U2 frontman Bono honored the late Anthony Bourdain toward the end of the band's special performance Monday at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.

Bono spoke of losing a "lot of inspiring, useful people" over the past few years "who gave up on their own life" alluding to the apparent suicides of musicians Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington, as well as fashion designer Kate Spade.

"And now this great storyteller, who I'm sure has stories he couldn't tell us. So for Anthony Bourdain, and his friends and family this is a song inspired by a great, great, great friend of ours. His name is Michael Hutchence," Bono said before launching into an impassioned version of "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of."

The Grammy-winning song about suicide was written by the band after INXS singer Hutchence was found dead in 1997 of an apparent suicide.

The 61-year old Bourdain was found dead of an apparent suicide last week in France.

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As for the performance, the band took a break from their Experience and Innocence arena tour to play a special one-night show at the legendary theater for Sirius XM subscribers. The invite-only show had a star-studded guest list, including tennis legend John McEnroe, rocker Jon Bon Jovi, E-Street band guitarist "Little Steven" Van Zandt, and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

The band ripped through its 90 minute set, covering 18 songs, and maintaining enough energy to keep many of the nearly 1,500 on their feet for most of the night. On the floor, fans waved their arms and sang along from the first chorus of opener, "I Will Follow" to the last encore of "Love Is Bigger Than Anything in Its Way."

Never afraid to play songs from a new album, four came from "Experience." But they also included standards like "Pride (In the Name of Love)," ''Vertigo," and "Desire."

They also dusted off a few gems that have not been heard yet on the tour, including "Angel of Harlem," the band's homage to Billie Holliday. For that one, and a few others, the Sun Ra Arkestra backed them up.

Other songs marking their first tour appearance included, 'When Love Comes to Down," ''Every Breaking Wave," and "Out of Control" from "Boy," the band's 1980 debut album.

SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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