Paul Simon joins U2 onstage in NYC; responders to Bono’s bike accident sit in audience

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The special guests at U2’s concert Thursday night included Paul Simon, Lou Reed’s widow and the woman who called 911 when Bono fell off his bike in New York City last year.

Simon joined U2 onstage at Madison Square Garden to sing some of his song, “Mother and Child Reunion.” Before Bono kicked off the tune, he pointed out that Simon was in the crowd, and the audience roared as Simon entered the stage.

Bono also noted that Reed’s widow, musician Laurie Anderson, was in the audience of 20,000. The band performed Reed’s “Satellite of Love” as a video of the late icon singing the song appeared onscreen.

Bono, who crashed his bike in Central Park and suffered multiple injuries last year, called out the woman who dialed 911 and the firefighters who responded to the call. They sat close to the stage.

“I am here today because some people, when I crashed my bike here in the city, a beautiful girl made a phone call to 911. She’s from Denver, but she’s here tonight. And so is Engine 44, the firefighters that picked me up off the ground,” he said.

Bono then handed the microphone to the responders to recount the story.

“So I have to clarify, it’s Alisa and I’m from D.C., not Denver,” the woman said.

It earned her laughs. But her shine ended shortly after.

“Here’s what happened: I was running in Central Park, there was an accident, obviously I had to stop and help because I’m not from New York, I’m from Virginia, where people are nice,” she said as the audience booed as she tried to finish the story.

Bono, 55, had surgery after suffering fractures to his left eye socket, shoulder blade and left elbow from his fall.

But he was energetic and excited Thursday, working the entire stage at the loud arena alongside guitarist the Edge, bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen Jr.

The North American leg of U2’s Innocence + Experience Tour ends Friday at Madison Square Garden, which will mark the band’s eighth consecutive show at the famed venue since July 18.

The band will tour Europe in September.

___

Online:

http://www.u2.com/tour