Bono, the globe-trotting, conscience-tugging singer with Irish rock group U2, is the most powerful man in music, according to a poll of music industry figures.
Bono, whose given name is Paul Hewson, tops a list compiled by music magazine Q. The top 10 names were released Thursday.
U2, formed in Dublin more than 20 years ago, remains one of the world’s top-selling groups.
Bono, 42, has also emerged as a powerful lobbyist for causes such as relieving the debt of the world’s poorest nations.
Earlier this year, he traveled through Africa with U.S. Treasury Secretary Paul O’Neill. Time magazine profiled him under the headline “Can Bono save the world?”
The top 10 are Bono; Doug Morris, chairman and chief executive officer, Universal Music Group; Eminem; L. Lowry Mays, founder of U.S. entertainment firm Clear Channel; Kurt Cobain; Thom Yorke; Lyor Cohen, president and chief executive officer, Island-Def Jam; Clive Calder, head of Zomba Music Group; Paul McCartney- Yoko Ono, Apple Corps. Ltd.; and Simon Fuller, former manager of the Spice Girls.
The magazine will publish the full list of the 50 most powerful people in music in its November issue.
