Bill Gates' fortune may have slipped [1] by $18bn in the past year or so, but pop oldster Bono apparently thinks that the leftover $40bn still deserves a royal salute.

The final performance [2] of U2's 360° Tour took place on October 28 at the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver, British Columbia - which also just happened to have been the Microsoft Chairman of the Board's [3] 54th birthday, which he celebrated by attending the concert.

After telling the assembled revelers that "Bill Gates is in the house", Bono led the crowd in a typically dirge-like rendition of "Happy Birthday:"

Praising Gates for his work with the ONE campaign and Project RED, Bono noted that "Without him, and without his business, we just wouldn't be where we are today."

A sentiment that, it must be admitted, can be read with multiple meanings, as well befits the complex poesy of master lyricist Bono. ®

Links

1. http://www.forbes.com/2009/03/11/worlds-richest-people-billionaires-2009-billionaires_land.html
2. http://www.u2.com/tour/index/date/id/4451
3. http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/exec/billg/

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