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More than a year ago, U2's legendary frontman Bono started a project he called the (RED) campaign to benefit the study and fight against H.I.V. and AIDS in Africa. Successfully generated thanks to American consumers and brands such as American Express, Apple, Converse, Dell, Emporio Armani, Gap, Hallmark and Windows, Bono's flourishing attempt at global philanthropy is now expanding even further. Bono and his U2 posse, as well as other popular artists such as Jay-Z, Coldplay and R.E.M., are all contributing music to (RED)WIRE, a new music download service that feeds into Bono's (RED) campaign. For five dollars a month, members of (RED)WIRE will be able to weekly receive a DRM-free delivery of a song from a major artist, one from a lesser-known artist and one music video. This program will launch in December through http://redwire.com, and will include many top acts in the music industry.
The Global Fund that the (RED) campaign has helped establish has raised more than $110 million so far to help aid and slow the catastrophic spread of H.I.V. and AIDS in Africa, and it has also served a purpose for products and consumerism across the country. For every (RED) product or service purchased (at no extra cost to the consumer) the company selling the product will donate up to 50% of its profit to the campaign, going straight to African countries that need the money the most. The goal of the campaign is to expand to more countries in Africa when revenue will allow to do so.
Over the past few years Bono has become a leader in social and political activism, but before he was a head honcho leading the way to a brighter world, the standout superstar was known simply as the lead singer for the Ireland-bred rock band U2. Birthed from the ashes of the British Invasion, U2 started in the late ‘70s out of Dublin, Ireland, spearheaded by vocalist/guitarist Bono, guitarist/keyboardist/vocalist the Edge, bass guitarist Adam Clayton and drummer/percussionist Larry Mullen, Jr. The synthesized pop-infused rock band became one of the defining rock ‘n' roll acts of the 1980s, hopping across the pond to provide one of the biggest influences for Americans as well as Europeans.
U2 collected fans throughout the ‘70s by winning talent contests and playing local shows, taking the ‘80s by storm with the hit album Boy, which flung the band into superstar status with their infectious style of postmodern dance-injected rock music. Boy reached England and then the U.S. with the smash single “I Will Follow,” and the following hit “Gloria” lifted U2 up to the MTV crowd. By the mid-‘80s U2 had become a household name, crafting catchy singles like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “New Year's Day” while also breaking into the U.S. Top 40 with the Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute song “(Pride) In the Name of Love.” 1987's The Joshua Tree thrust U2 into rock icon status, generating the everlasting hits “With or Without You” and “I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For.” Ever since the release of the 1987 album, U2 has enjoyed nothing but monumental fame for the group's incredible music and insanely popular rock star status. The Grammy Award-winning band has been burning up both the Billboard charts and concert venues for the last 20 years, and fans with U2 tickets never cease to be amazed by the timeless group's outstanding live music. If you haven't seen these legendary performers rock the stage live, get U2 tickets from http://www.stubhub.com/u2-tickets before they break the world's hearts and retire!
Getting involved in humanitarian efforts is today's biggest accessory, demonstrated by headliners who recently helped the latest Bono project in the form of a music service. (RED)Wire finds supporters in a variety of musical genres and individuals including U2, Jay-Z, Coldplay, John Legend and Death Cab for Cutie, who all gave exclusive performances for December 1st World AIDS Day. A long time social activist, Bono is the front man for the Irish rock group U2 and has long paraded his beliefs to rock crowds with his politically and religiously charged lyrics. Enjoy the creative spirit that Bono and his band have revolutionized for over two decades? Don't hesitate to enjoy their unique rock and roll style with U2 tickets from http://www.stubhub.com/u2-tickets.
(Red)Wire is a new online magazine that is sent to members every Wednesday with artists' new music and performances from around the world. Though World AIDS Day saw the digitized publication see its strongest efforts, additionally with performances and songs via http://MSN.com from Dixie Chicks, the Killers, Elton John, the Police, Elvis Costello and Sheryl Crow, the site continues to see a plethora of supporting artists throughout the year. Half of the $5 monthly fee goes to “buy medicine to keep people living with HIV in Africa alive,” according to (Red)Wire's website. Each week an additional song will be added to your iTunes along with your support. Through December 10th those individuals who choose to become a fan of (Red)Wire will be deemed a “Founding Member” and will received two free issues along with a special performance from Jay-Z.
Pairing up with one of the nation's most powerful networks doesn't hurt either. MSN will help secure (Red)Wire's sustainability via their multi-million dollar corporation. "MSN is honored to introduce (RED)WIRE to the hundreds of millions of people that visit MSN each month," said Lisa Gurry, director for MSN, to Market Watch. "The launch event on MSN today is an amazing opportunity for people to view incredible performances from top artists, while helping save lives at the same time.” Along with http://MSN.com, (Red)Wire is working with iLike, a social music directory service that will help spread the music to fans thanks to loyal iLike users. The network channel will streamline videos, photos and interviews through their already existing applications including Facebook and their sidebar on iTunes. Ali Partovi, CEO of iLike, told Market Watch, “We're delighted to serve as a platform for artists and fans to come together around a shared goal of saving lives. Now you can go to iLike to see video messages from your favorite (RED)WIRE artists, sample the new music and help save lives by sharing it with friends. I have no doubt that the electrifying talent and content in (RED)Wire will galvanize our audience.”
(Red)Wire was created by Don MacKinnon, founder of Hear Music and former Vice President of Music and Entertainment of Starbucks Coffee Company. "Don MacKinnon just might be the penicillin the ailing music business needs. He is an innovator by nature and I have no doubt that some of the music software we are working on at (RED) will help change the way music is received and change the lives of Africans who will die without the AIDS drugs that (RED) can help provide," said Bono, co-founder of (RED), to Market Watch.
(Red)'s primary focus is connection with Global Fund, an organization that hopes to one day eliminate AIDS in Africa. (Red) remains a commercialized industry project where companies like Apple, Converse, Gap and more remain involved in their own (Red) global campaign. (Red)Wire is the musically version of this adventure, spurred on by U2's own leader, Bono.