Dear Bono,

I saw U2 at the Sphere in Vegas three-days ago and it reminded me to send you this invite.  We are producing a tribute to Sinead O’Connor and Shane MacGowan at Carnegie Hall in a few weeks, and it would be very cool if you were able to make it.  It’s already sold-out--it will benefit the organization PEN-America, we have a stellar line-up of performers each doing one-song, and fits the spirit of St. Patrick’s.   Do let me know, michael@citywinery.com

Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know that we have met (or encountered) 5 times in our lives.  It started on my birthday, April 7, 1981, when U2 played at my University at Graham Chapel in St. Louis.  I was on the concert committee in charge of hospitality and was waiting when your tour bus arrived.  I went to help unload the amps and some suitcases below and you came over to do it yourself.  In fact, you insisted on schlepping the gear with me as your helper.  I was only 19 years old and deferred to you, the 21-year-old Bono.   It was the second leg of your U.S. Tour, The Boy Tour, and who knew that 4-years later you would perform at Live Aid and become worldwide rock stars.

I saw you again sadly at Lou Reed’s memorial Julian Schnabel’s studio shortly after his passing in 2013, I was standing next to our mutual friend Hal Willner, you did an acoustic version of Satellite of Love in a small circle of friends.  Photo above.   I was too shy and it was too solemn a situation to schmooze…

A few years later, I was in London for lunch and you were at the table two down from me with empty tables between us, a bunch of security, and you were talking to some clearly heavy political suits.  I would have loved to take out my camera, but again, too shy and classy a situation, as it was amazing picture of about 6 serious diplomats dressed to the hilt all listening to every single word you spoke as the true statesman, yet, dressed in classic black leather jacket.  I guessed it was members of the World Bank and you were giving them solid advice on your campaigning to fight extreme poverty in Africa. 

Then another couple of years ago, I was sipping a glass of Rose at a super fancy hotel in Provence (I had splurged using my American Express points) for a night stay, and baaboom, you sit down at the table next to me with a fun crew of people including Woody Harrelson, Matthew McConaughey, and a few others. I was trying not to be too rude, my wife kicking hard under the table, and I really wanted to join you all.  Your drinking some Tequila if I remember, the deck was overlooking the Vineyards and it was magnificent.  I was about to take a selfie with Sarah and someone from the group came over and offered to take the photo.  Turns out, it was JR, the incredible photographer/artist.  He introduced himself and I reminded him I had just seen him at City Winery in NY for a Tribeca Film Festival event.  At that moment, Woody Harrelson comes over, as he had just hung at City Winery Hudson Valley listening to some music and was looking for a Ping Pong game.  That is another story.  But as I was trying to be cool, I really wanted to run over to you and give a big hug.   But I remained a pro, at least on the outside. On the inside, I wanted to tell you of our first meeting 42 years back.   But I missed that opportunity. 

Now to have seen what you just did as part of the grand opening of the Sphere—Holy Shit.  The new venue is off the hook.  Got to give Jim Dolan & MSG props for having built this truly new state-of-the-art venue.  The projections were incredible and added another layer of art in the immersion of the concert experience.  You sound great, the band sounds great, and I am thrilled to have had these connections.  Now if only it could be a 6^th time in person at Carnegie Hall.