PM to help bring U2 to Ottawa

(JAM! Showbiz) -- Radio station BOB-FM's campaign to bring U2 to town saw them recruit a top gun for the cause yesterday.

During a live phone-in at 8 a.m., Prime Minister Paul Martin told the station's morning crew he would mention the petition to bring the band to town the next time he talks with U2's lead singer Bono.

"I'll make sure that Bono knows that many of the federal employees who worked on our original debt relief program (for Third World countries) are fans of the band," Martin said, referring to one of the Bono's causes. "Ottawa has a high concentration of U2 fans."

Sandi Sharkey, part of the morning crew, promised that if Martin was successful the station would change its name to PAUL-FM for a day.

Arthur Fogel, the band's international tour manager, said the station should hold off on a name change -- for now.

"It's unlikely at this point," said Fogel from his office in Los Angeles. "But never say never. I wouldn't underestimate Paul Martin's ability to persuade the band to play Ottawa."

Martin and Bono have been friendly since 1998 when Martin, then the finance minister, met the U2 frontman and political activist after presenting a Canadian program to wipe out Third World debt.

Sharkey plans to deliver an online petition to Martin's office next week. In the meantime, the poll remains open at www.939bobfm.com.

DENIS ARMSTRONG