U2 frontman Bono has released a special version of the U2 track I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight for veteran broadcaster Charlie Bird as he embarks on his Climb With Charlie campaign.
The song, Crazy Mountain, is a new mix by Bono of the original song, which featured on U2's 2009 album No Line on The Horizon, and was previewed on Friday's The Ryan Tubridy Show on RTÉ Radio 1.
Thank you Bono for this lovely gesture. This is for everyone who has a Terminal illness or who are struggling with their own mountains to climb everyday. I got a little emotional listening to this song but in a way they were tears of happiness. Take care everyone. pic.twitter.com/d58wEdmgAT
— Charlie Bird (@charliebird49) February 4, 2022
As part of the broadcast, listeners heard Charlie’s new cloned voice for the first time as he introduced the track himself.
Crazy Mountain is now available to the public on the Climb With Charlie social media channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Speaking about the track, Charlie said: ‘’This is an outstanding gesture. I am overjoyed and could not believe the message that I received from Bono.
"He has been hugely supportive of the Climb With Charlie campaign, which aims to raise funds for two amazing charities, the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.’’
Charlie added: ‘’I want to encourage everyone to log on to Climb With Charlie and donate what they can or set up their own fundraisers to climb in their local area, be it climbing a set of stairs or a short walk around the house, around a local park, a walk to the beach, whatever you are able to do.
"Climb With Charlie is a nationwide initiative to recognize the huge physical and emotional mountains so many of us have to climb in our daily lives.’’
Charlie first met Bono in Washington DC when the U2 frontman was involved in a series of humanitarian visits to the US government. At the time, Charlie was RTÉ’s Washington Correspondent.
On Saturday 2 April, Charlie will climb Croagh Patrick in aid of the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
Due to Charlie’s Motor Neurone Disease diagnosis, the climb will be an immense challenge but he is determined to do it to highlight the vast mountains so many people have to climb in their everyday lives due to severe illness, physical and mental heath issues.
Due to Covid-19, health and safety, and ongoing environmental works on Croagh Patrick, the campaign cannot facilitate large numbers of people on Croagh Patrick on the day.
Therefore, Charlie is encouraging people to climb or walk in their local area, be it climbing a mountain or a short walk in the local park, and to keep on climbing the mountains of their personal battles.
People can donate to the campaign or find out more on www.climbwithcharlie.ie. All funds raised will go to the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association and Pieta.
