4 OCTOBER 2002
U2 frontman and self styled ambassador of human rights, Bono, has been voted the most powerful man in music by UK magazine Q.

The 42-year-old Irish rocker, who has used his fame to win the ear of political and religious leaders the world over, is a tireless campaigner for AIDS projects and outspoken on subjects such as Third World debt. His championing of political and social causes led Time magazine to dedicate one of this year’s covers to him, accompanied by the question: “Can Bono save the world?”.

In the Q survey he topped a list which also featured controversial rapper Eminem, cited for his influential and challenging song lyrics, and the late singer Kurt Cobain – elected for taking underground rock into the mainstream.

Immediately behind Bono came the head of the world’s largest record label, Universal’s Doug Morris, 64, and fellow corporate empresario L Lowry Mays, founder of US entertainment company Clear Channel, clocked in at number four.

Also making the top ten were Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono and Spice Girls creator Simon Fuller. Newly enriched Robbie Williams only made it to place 24, with Moby and Madonna trailing at number 30 and 31 respectively.