Our deepest condolences to the extended U2 family on the sudden loss of their longtime tour manager Dennis Sheehan—our guys first knew him back in the summer of 1985, when R.E.M. played some stadium and festival dates supporting U2 in Europe. And many times over all the years since. Dennis was a consummate professional, and he totally took care of what became a huge and long lasting business; but he always maintained a goodhearted manner and kind attitude toward each person he encountered along the way. We can only imagine the grief and sadness all the U2 gang are feeling right now, and it makes us sad too. Michael Stipe added, “Dennis was one of the kindest men I have ever met. He was a great friend to u2, and a great friend to us. He was a great lover of music and art. Dennis always had a smile on his face and he was always quietly in charge–he knew where everyone was– and where everyone was going. His energy and passion will be missed.”
The Guardian has a description up of last night’s tribute to Dennis from the stage in Los Angeles, where the iNNOCENCE eXPERIENCE tour rolls on. And with gratitude to all the R.E.M. HQ and touring crew employees, we all know that as Bono says: “It takes a lot to put on a show . . .” More at U2.com…