QUICK TAKES - May 7, 2009

BBC to air Bono reading poem

After more than a decade of sitting on a shelf, the BBC next week will broadcast Bono reading an original poem honoring Elvis Presley.

The U2 singer, best known for his humanitarian efforts, hails Elvis for his early work, when the former truck driver emerged from the Memphis music scene to shake America to its very roots.

“Elvis was made by America so America could remake itself,” Bono reads.

The poem was recorded by Ten Alps Radio director Des Shaw near the end of an interview with Bono more than 10 years ago. Although the poem was reprinted some years ago in a fan magazine, it has never been performed or broadcast, in part because producers could not figure out how to showcase it.

Finally, producers decided to prepare a 15-minute broadcast to coincide with BBC’s poetry season. It will air Wednesday on BBC Radio 4.