U2's Bono has a list of accolades a mile long, but rarely does a Rockstar receive a national honor from another country like he just did.
The U2 frontman was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden. The ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Bono joined 18 other individuals in receiving America's highest civilian honor. This year’s recipients included actors Michael J. Fox and Denzel Washington, former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, basketball legend Earvin 'Magic' Johnson, football superstar Lionel Messi, and philanthropist George Soros.
The White House explained that the Presidential Medal of Freedom is granted to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to U.S. prosperity, values, national security, world peace, or significant public and private endeavors.
"Bono changes the world through his art and activism, following in an Irish tradition of poetry, protest, rebellion, and celebration. As the lead singer of U2, one of the most successful rock bands in history, he has composed anthems for peace and civil rights. His humanitarian work spans from fighting poverty and disease to advocating for debt relief for developing nations. The unifying thread of his life's work is the power of freedom—something that links both Ireland and America as cherished allies." said The President.
Bono took to Instagram to express his gratitude,
"Thank you, President Biden. Frontmen don’t do humble, but today I was. Rock & Roll gave me my freedom... and with it, the privilege to work alongside those who’ve had to fight so much harder for theirs. And I want to give it up for my bandmates—Edge, Adam, and Larry—without whom I would never have found my voice."
Bono joins Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Aretha Franklin, B.B. King, Bob Dylan, Loretta Lynn, Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, Barbra Streisand, James Taylor, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and Elvis Presley, to recieve the award.