The Time A Street Preacher Shouted At Bono Outside A Venue — And He Invited Him In

April 1, 2025

It was a chilly evening in 1987, just outside a buzzing concert venue in downtown San Francisco. The air was thick with excitement as fans lined up, eager to see U2 perform. Bono, the band’s charismatic lead singer, was in the midst of his usual pre-show routine, buzzing with the energy that came from knowing they were about to rock the stage. But as he stepped outside for a breath of fresh air, he found himself face-to-face with an unexpected sight: a street preacher, his voice booming with passion, standing on a makeshift platform and shouting about salvation.

The preacher’s words were intense and raw, filled with urgency. “You’re all lost without faith!” he yelled, pointing toward the hopeful crowd. And then, he turned his attention to Bono, his eyes ablaze with fervor. “You, too! You need to spread the message of love and hope, not just music!” The crowd fell silent, intrigued by this sudden confrontation. Bono stood there, taken aback but intrigued. He could feel the preacher’s energy radiating off him, his conviction palpable. Instead of walking away, something inside Bono stirred. He wanted to understand this man’s passion.

With a quick glance at the excited faces surrounding him, Bono made a spontaneous decision. “Why don’t you come inside?” he called out, gesturing toward the entrance of the venue. The crowd gasped, and the preacher—caught off guard—paused momentarily before stepping down from his platform. Bono led him into the venue, where the atmosphere was electric, filled with the anticipation of music and the promise of connection. As they entered, the preacher’s intensity shifted to awe; he had never been in a place where music breathed life into so many.

Inside, as the band prepared to take the stage, Bono listened intently to the preacher’s stories. They talked about faith, hope, and the power of music to change lives. That night, Bono learned that his songs weren’t just melodies to entertain; they had the potential to inspire, to uplift, and to bring people together. The preacher, in turn, saw the sincerity and heart that Bono poured into every lyric and performance. They both realized they were fighting for the same cause—spreading a message of love.

As U2 took the stage, the preacher stood at the side, watching Bono pour his soul into the music. The crowd erupted with cheers, lost in the rhythm and the message of unity. Bono delivered one of the most heartfelt performances of his career, each song a bridge connecting his passion for music with the preacher’s call for hope. The experience ignited something in him—a deeper understanding of his role as an artist.

That unexpected encounter with the street preacher stayed with Bono long after the concert ended. It reminded him of the importance of authenticity and the impact of music. Over the years, U2 became known for not just their catchy tunes, but also their profound messages about social justice and compassion. Bono realized that whether on a stage or in the streets, everyone has a message worth sharing. In that moment of connection, his music transformed, and so did his mission—to inspire people to love, hope, and unite through the power of song.