Image Courtesy Brantley Gutierrez/Universal MusicBruce Springsteen and Chris Martin of Coldplay filled in for the ailing Bono at surprise concert Monday night featuring U2's The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.
The band, billed as U2 Minus 1, performed in New York's Times Square before a rain-soaked crowd to mark World AIDS Day.
Springsteen performed the U2 songs "Where the Streets Have No Name" and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” with The Edge, Clayton and Mullen. Martin, sporting a t-shirt that read “Substitu2,” performed the U2 songs “Beautiful Day” and “With or Without You.” Martin told the crowd, “Sending my love to Bono.
Bono was forced to bow out of the event because of injuries he suffered last month in a bike accident in New York's Central Park. The 54-year-old singer is recovering in Dublin.
Carrie Underwood and Kanye West also took part in the event. Carrie sang "Something in the Water" and "Change." Kayne performed his hits “Jesus Walks,” “Power” and “Stronger.”
Former President Bill Clinton kicked off the concert. Clinton told the crowd he received an email from Bono telling him he had to attend the event. President Obama appeared on a large video screen with a message that the world is getting close to achieving “an AIDS free generation."
The concert was sponsored in part by (RED), the anti-AIDS organization co-founded by Bono.
The show was streamed live on YouTube and broadcast as part of ESPN's Monday Night Countdown.
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