U2 frontman Bono penned a long note reflecting on 2014 and revealed to fans that he may never be able to play guitar again. In a post on U2's website, titled "LITTLE BOOK OF A BIG YEAR: Bono's A to Z of 2014," the rocker (whose real name is Paul Hewson) went through the entire alphabet and shared little stories about his life.
"For the last few weeks I haven't been able to move around physically so I have more than made up for it by leaving my mind to wanderlust, untethered except electronically... I have written words for new songs, but I have also had an opportunity to look back and review the year in a way I've never had time to do before," Bono began the note.
As he went through the alphabet he shared tidbits about family, his job and under the letter "I," the bicycle accident that left him seriously injured:
"I broke my hand, my shoulder, my elbow and my face but the real injury this year was to my Irish pride as it was discovered that under my tracksuit I was wearing yellow and black Lycra cycling shorts. Yes, LYCRA. This is not very rock n' roll. Recovery has been more difficult than I thought... As I write this, it is not clear that I will ever play guitar again.
"The band have reminded me that neither they nor Western civilization are depending on this. I personally would very much miss fingering the frets of my green Irish falcon or my (RED) Gretsch. Just for the pleasure, aside from writing tunes. But then does the Edge, or Jimmy Page, or any guitarist you know have a titanium elbow, as I do now? I'm all elbows, I am."
The 54-year-old singer was biking in Central Park in November and tried to avoid colliding with another rider when he was involved in a "high-energy bicycle accident," People magazine reported. He was rushed to the hospital where he underwent CAT scans and X-rays, followed by a five-hour surgery.
Bono had fractured his left eye socket, suffered three separate fractures on his left shoulder blade and also fractured the left humerus on his upper arm, which left the bone shattered in six different places.
Dr. Dean Lorich from New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and Hospital for Special Surgery told People that three metal plates and 18 screws had to be inserted into the singer's arm. He also underwent surgery on a fractured pinky finger.
