After shock

Because Ted about caused me heart failure, I went looking for Adam Clayton statistics. Here's a clip from an interview last spring:

http://u2_interviews.tripod.com/id244.html

Q&A with U2's Adam Clayton - SD Union-Tribune, 28 Mar. 05

**the website contains the full interview. I just copied in the parts where Adam talks about a girl(or boy)friend***

This is the complete Q&A interview with U2 bassist Adam Clayton by San Diego Union-Tribune pop music critic George Varga. His story on Clayton and tonight's kickoff of U2's tour here appears in today's Union-Tribune.

Q: The public sees the end result, which is usually an album or tour or video. They don't see all the work that goes into that, or the frustrations that might be encountered along the way. Is there a downside to fame?

CLAYTON: I think the downside, and it's not really much of a downside because it has a silver lining, but it still takes a tremendous commitment to the band and the music to maintain this level. Everybody's home life and commitments are as much a part of that as the band. Every time we go into the studio, everyone knows it will take a lot of energy and commitment to come out with something compelling, equally so when you're contemplating going out on the road.

People (in the band's) families realize it will be a year of upheaval, so it takes great commitments from wives and families to make that work. And even though we've done that before, it doesn't make it any easier. And being based in Europe and spending a lot of time in America is a big time difference to bridge. It would be easier if we were all based here (in the U.S.), but that's the way we've chosen to live our lives. So I'm very aware of the kind of toll that takes on people when they're trying to stay in touch with home and keep up with their families.

Q: Is that less of a problem for you, given that you're not married?

CLAYTON: It's not a problem, but I'm still aware of how much we leave behind. I still have a girlfriend and home and a family and dependents, so I'm aware of the upheaval in me, because I'm not going to be there physically or mentally for these people because I'm in a different time zone. And performing at this level requires an absolute commitment and dedication. You can't half commit.

Whew!