The Edge rises to the challenge
The Edge will be donating two Gibson guitars and other items to this year's Icons of Music auction in aid of Music Rising, the charity he co-founded to replace musical equipment lost or destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
"No one could ever come close to repaying the debt of those who have established this form (of music) that we all take totally for granted, this hybrid of European melody and African-American rhythm that's given us jazz and R&B and rock 'n' roll. There's something powerful about musicians giving instruments they own to an auction to aid musicians who are going through a particularly difficult time.A lot of musicians were forced to leave the city, leaving behind their instruments and record collections, everything they needed to do what they do. The kind of organic community music academy that was so supportive of handing down the traditions of this music from generation to generation was really vulnerable."
Music Rising has provided grants to replace instruments and equipment for 2,700 professional musicians and 50,000 students and church parishioners to date.
The "Icons of Music" auction will be held on May 31 at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York City. The Edge will host the event. Highlights from the collection will be exhibited in Chile, Ireland and Los Angeles before the May 31 auction.
Commenting on U2's studio efforts The Edge told AP: "We went into this project allowing ourselves the indulgence of making music without thinking about where it was going to end up," he said. "We're starting to get serious now.", but he could offer no release date.