01- U2 come seventh in the list of top 50 artists.

The survey is based on almost 200,000 votes, making it the largest poll
ever conducted.

The compilers also took into account all the similar surveys in Britain and
the US over the past three years to create a 'poll of polls'.
Top 10 Artists

1 The Beatles
2 Bob Dylan
3 Pink Floyd
4 Oasis
5 David Bowie
6 R.E.M
7 U2
8 Radiohead
9 Rolling Stones
10 Nirvana


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02-Details of U2 Greatest Hits Tracks
By Doug Martin For ZooNation
09/12/98 13:43:20 EST
http://zoonation.com/news/hitsnews_DM.html

Along with new details released yesterday by Island about U2's first foray
into Greatest Hits'dom comes some exclusive info from a source close to the
band.
ZooNation sources also say the band has decided to release a live version
of Bad on the greatest hits release instead of the studio version. The
version they are currently leaning to is the one off of the Rattle and Hum
video, which has never made it to an album.

Sunday Bloody Sunday will be the studio version off of War and not a live
version.

The Sweetest Thing's new version will appear only on the Best of U2 Album,
the B-Side compilation will feature the original recording released in 1987.

The B-side compilation will feature all B-sides from the Joshua Tree and
many from Rattle and Hum.

The band is debating on whether to release songs like Treasure and/or
Boy/Girl.

Pride will be the studio version, just to clear that up, as will I Still
Haven't Found What Im Looking For. It was decided the gospel version would
remain on Rattle & Hum, especially due to the original's continuing
popularity amongst U2 fans

Our source also says "I really think it is a wise move. For one, Sweetest
Thing being released for radio play is genius, this thing could and should
top a radio stations playlist and will help with sales".

"This album is hardly a Greatest Hits set, its more of a compilation of U2
fan favorites". He Continues "Bad was never a hit, neither was
Unforgettable Fire, When Love Comes to Town, etc".

Lastly, This album could be a great primer for the new U2 album. The new
Album is targeted for completion in the first part of July '99, and the
"in-studio" or working title is said to be 'Drive'.

Unconfirmed reports have said one track that has been mixed, it's been
called "From the Cradle to the Cross", at least that is what it was written
up as. The band has scheduled studio time at the end of the month, but
whether they will go full scale into it is yet to be seen.

All of this information is being denied from official (Sourceable) sources
at PM and Island Records at this time.

Back to ZooNation's U2 Network News
Go to ZooNation's Home Page


03-Mary J. Blige Talks About Joining Kirk Franklin, R. Kelly, Bono

Mary J. Blige
Even though she's used to having the spotlight all to herself, Mary J.
Blige had no problem hooking up with Kirk Franklin, Bono, and R. Kelly for
a benefit song that will pop up next month.

Franklin approached Blige about lending her talents to "Lean On Me," the
benefit track that will turn up on Franklin's upcoming "Nu Nation Project"
album. Blige pointed to her affinity for Franklin's work, as well as the
fact that the song will benefit arson-ravaged churches in the South, as her
reasons for joining in on the track.

"We all need a fountain. We all need somewhere to go," Blige told MTV News
of the track. "I mean, we're not just walkin' on earth, just walkin' and
wakin' up. We got somebody to thank, or something to thank, for wakin' and
breathin' in the morning. Think about it."

The work that Blige did with Franklin, Kelly, and Bono will turn up on "Nu
Nation Project" in October. Meanwhile, Blige is also working on her next
studio album, and expects to release its first single, "No Happy Holidays,"
in November.

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04-The Million Dollar Hotel
Condensed from The Irish Times:

From: http://www.cableregina.com/users/u2news/u2note.html

The long-in-gestation project, The Million Dollar Hotel, written by U2
lead singer Bono, is about to go into production with Wim Wenders
directing. The story of a murder in a sleazy hotel, it will star Jeremy
Davies from Saving Private Ryan, and Milla Jovovich from The Fifth
Element. It will be produced by Icon, the company owned by Mel Gibson
and Bruce Davey, and word has it that Gibson may be joining the movie's
cast. Gibson intends to direct and star in the remake of François
Truffaut's Fahrenheit 451 next year.