by Clem

I was 17. Young, impressionable and loved U2. I had everything they ever recorded up to that point and the biggest tour on the planet was starting in my home state of Arizona. What could better?

Yet the show almost turned out to be a disaster. Bono couldn't sing. Period. His voice cracked with every note.

Here they are, Time magazine has just proclaimed them, "The Biggest Band in the World", Opening show, thousands of music press everywhere, playing in the round and the lead singer loses his voice. What could be worse?

Apparently, Bono had tripped on some lighting during rehearsals and had split his chin open, which required stitches and it somehow affected his voice. At least, that is what I remember so forgive me if I've left out a detail or two.

But instead of disaster which would destroy most bands - epiphany. The crowd new all the songs and sung them for him... EVERY SONG - in unison, as if nothing had happened. It was the most amazing show of support for a band that I have ever seen. I don't know how many times Bono said, "Thank you." It must have been about a hundred because his voice simply would not work and it was obvious that he was devestated.

The fact the crowd knew the words to every song, both old and new, showed the love and fanaticism towards this great band. Bono recovered, of course. Three days later, in the little burg of Tucson, he gave a vocal performance that rattled the rooftops. But the subtleties of this show in Tempe were not lost on anyone. We all came away a little hoarce but truly uplifted by the music. It was just an old fashion sing along around the unforgettable fire of U2.

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