It was interesting to note a few things:
- ABC was cleaning up in ad sales during the show, which seemed even more commercial-heavy than normal. One commercial break crept up toward the 8-10-minute zone.
- While ABC had U2 before a cheering audience, with great music, fast edits and generally exciting segment for viewers, NBC's "Today" show had an almost sleep-inducing segment on the important topic of keeping your kids safe as their surf the ‘Net and CBS' crew was seated on the couch as Chuck Nice riffed on Michael Jackson.
- It was nice to see U2 in a stripped down setting. There were no lights, no grand stage, just basic gear and they sounded good. They sounded like, well, a real band, rather than a major entertainment "production." A very refreshing reminder.
- "Good Morning America" co-host Robin Roberts referred to U2's "Beautiful Day," a song from 2000 as "a classic." Sure, it's a good song, but it still seems a bit early to deem it one of the Dublin fab four's classics. "I Will Follow?" Sure. "Where the Streets Have No Name?" Absolutely. "Pride (In the Name of Love)?" You betcha. Give "Beautiful Day" a few more years, then we'll see.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
