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SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah fans of the legendary rock band U2 got bad news Friday. The band postponed its upcoming concert at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
U2's lead singer, Bono, had emergency back surgery Friday in Munich, Germany, after he hurt himself getting ready for the North American leg of the tour. It was slated to kick off in Salt Lake City on June 3.
European fans have raved about the U2 360 Tour. The band thrilled crowds with new material, classic hits and a brilliant stage that features the so-called "claw."
Kari Monson has tickets and saw them in Las Vegas last fall.
"[It's] just awesome," Monson says. "[The claw] peaks out over the stadium and everyone can see it. The show that they bring with it is just phenomenal."
Meghan Boyd was also psyched for the show.
"I'm not mad, per se, but I am disappointed," she said. "But then, he's human too. Things happen to everybody, and just because they're a band and they have tour dates, things happen."
Band manager Paul McGuinness put an audio message to fans on U2.com.
"The band were really looking forward to getting back out on the road until the emergency surgery," McGuinness said.
As word spread, many fans posted their best wishes to Bono on Facebook.
A crew of 400 was already converging on Salt Lake, and scaffolding was going up at Rice-Eccles Stadium. U2 actually planned about nine days of rehearsal of new material in Utah before the concert.
"I didn't even know that, but that's so exciting, or was exciting," Boyd said.
"It's unfortunate that we're inconveniencing fans," McGuinness said in the recorded message. "We will make plans to reinstate these dates as soon as possible."
"Hopefully, everything will heal and they'll come back and give such an amazing show, no matter what," Monson said.
Bono will stay in the hospital for a few days before returning home to recuperate. Once doctors assess his condition, the band will put out a statement on how this will affect tour dates.
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Story compiled with contribuitons from Jed Boal and Randall Jeppesen.
