Interview with U2 - a Diary writer Matt McGee

On 13 October 2008 a new U2 book will be published called: U2 – a Diary. The book is written by @U2 founder Matt McGee. To promote his book Matt McGee organised a contest on the site of the book (www.u2diary.com). To enter you had to ask him 5 questions and post them on the internet.

This is what the book is about (from www.u2diary.com):

U2 is the biggest band in the world. They’re loved by millions of fans. Dozens of books and thousands of articles have been written about U2. Everything they do is news. Yet, there is no single, comprehensive resource that details all the relevant day-to-day history that has shaped U2 into the band it is today.

U2 - A Diary is that book. It’s a book that will present the complete history of U2 — from 1950s Dublin when Bono’s parents were married, to the birth of the band, and all the way to the present — told as it happened in an easy-to-use diary format.

But it’s more than just a timeline of dates and facts. U2 - A Diary will provide the important stories behind the “who, what, when, and where,” including stories and insights about key moments in U2’s development that have never been told before.

The interview with Matt McGee:

1 Do you keep a diary yourself (ever tried to)?
What an awesome question! I really have to jog my memory here ... I'm pretty sure that there was a period of time in my childhood that I did keep a diary/journal. I remember I used to do a lot of writing when I was a kid. It was probably not as organized as most diary-keepers, in the sense that I never wrote on a daily basis or anything like that. But I vaguely recall having sheets of paper in a desk drawer that had personal writings. Mind you -- I'm sure it wasn't anything incredibly deep or revealing. It was probably me keeping track of favorite songs, favorite sports teams, making lists of things I wanted to do when I grew up, and boy stuff like that.

2 What do you think about the cover and design of the book?
Overall, I love the design. If it were completely up to me, the cover would not show the band in concert like it does; I think concert shots should be reserved for U2 Live - A Concert Documentary, which Omnibus also publishes. So, I'd prefer a non-concert shot for the cover. But I'm glad we all managed to get the cover changed so that all four band members are on there, not just Bono and Edge as the first cover had. As far as the interior design, what I've seen is fantastic. I think the pages look great. I love the fonts they used, the way some of the quotes are pulled out and enlarged for effect, the way the photos are placed, and so forth. I can't wait to get my hands on the real thing and see it in person. The proofs I've seen look great.

Old cover: http://www.u2diary.com/tentative-cover-for-u2-a-diary/101/
Final cover: http://www.u2diary.com/final-cover-for-u2-a-diary/113/

3 What is the most interesting thing you've learned because of this book?
The most interesting U2-related factoid I learned is this: On July 3, 1986, the date of Greg Carroll's death in Dublin, Bono was in Texas and scheduled to appear the next day at the Farm Aid II concert organized by Willie Nelson. I'd never heard anything about Bono showing up at any of the Farm Aid concerts.

4 What U2 song, lyric would best describe this book?
What a fun question! I guess the most obvious choice would be "I'm documenting every detail / Every conversation" from Fast Cars. :-)

What I would say is October (the 13th) =)

5 Why should we buy this book?
Because it's the best U2 book ever written? By a fellow U2 fan?
Published in 2008? :-)
Seriously, if I'm a casual fan, I'd buy it because it'll be a great way to learn more about the band and the events that shaped them along the way. If I'm a diehard fan, I'd buy it because it'll make a great reference source to get quick information about anything and everything U2's ever done. I hope it appeals to fans at all levels of interest and knowledge about the band.

THE END (Thanks Matt!)

For more information about “U2” a Diary (book samples, where to buy etc.) go to: www.u2diary.com

If you liked my interview you can vote for me --> Anna (on Last.fm) HERE

Thanks for reading!
Anna

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Now playing: Leonard Cohen, U2 - Tower Of Song
via FoxyTunes