18 FEBRUARY 2002
Hollywood celebrities Tom Cruise and Kevin Spacey and rock bands No Doubt and REM got together on Thursday to throw a fund-raising bash honouring U2 frontman Bono’s “extraordinary philanthropy”. The outspoken Irish singer was showered with Valentines at the first annual “Love Rocks” concert, as a thank-you for his efforts tackling Third World debt and the AIDS crisis in Africa.

Mission Impossible actor Tom was among the stars who heaped praise on the Sweetest Thing singer, telling the crowd at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre that Bono “makes us all proud to be human”. The show also brought out the likes of Cher, hip-hop artist Lauren Hill and Oscar-nominated actor Sean Penn.

Bono, born Paul Hewson, was presented with the Heart Of Entertainment award to mark his “extraordinary dedication to improving the lives of millions of people throughout the world”. Apart from his work with debt relief and AIDS awareness, Bono has also worked with such groups as Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

REM front man Michael Stipe came on to describe the 41-year-old musician as a “singer, songwriter, statesman, fashion plate”, before going on to perform the U2 song One as a tribute. And former US president Bill Clinton and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger both sent congratulatory videos that were shown at the gala event.