U2 Have NYC Street Renamed In Their Honor

As usual, the arrival of a new U2 album is being treated as something akin to the return of Jesus, and unfortunately, U2 lovefest 2009 shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.  If anything, it is gaining momentum.  First there was that over-enthusiastic 5 star Rolling Stone review of their new album, No Line On the Horizon.  Shortly thereafter, it was announced that they would be taking over the Late Show With David Letterman stage for a five night residency.  And now, out of NYC comes news that mayor Michael Bloomberg has decided to name a street after the band, temporarily, anyway.

As always, Bono was appropriately cheesy in his response to the news.  “The Beatles had Penny Lane, Elvis lived on the end of Lonely Street, we’re here somewhere between 10th Avenue and funky, funky Broadway, somewhere south of Duke Ellington Way and north of Joey Ramone Place we find ourselves … where the streets have no name,” he said.  Check that out, not a single mention of AIDS, Africa or world poverty!  At any rate, the street has a name now.  For one week, a section of 53rd street in midtown Manhattan will be rechristened U2 Way.

Taking a cue from Bono, Mayor Bloomberg chipped in with a cringe inducing quote of his own.  “It’s a beautiful day, to quote a famous Irish rock band,” Bloomberg said. “Everyone in this city, including me, considers these four Dubliners honorary New Yorkers.”

In honor of the event, the individual band members were presented with street signs displaying the name of the newly renamed street, at which point Bono brought the funny.  “Edge just said this is the first time he’s been seen with a street sign and not been arrested.”  Listen Bono, The Edge is the one everybody still likes, how about just leaving his name out of this?

So, do you think U2 deserves to have a street named after them?  Is the new album really worth all the hype?  Am I the only one who thinks “Get On Your Boots” totally stole its melody from “Pump It Up” by Elvis Costello?  Let me know.

Source: Billboard.com