Did Bono Perform U2 Songs at the Class of 1995 Reunion?
Major musical acts have been banned at Reunions for a few years, but...

When Andy Stack ’95 is asked whether that was Bono belting out three U2 songs in succession at the Class of 1995’s 30th Reunions party on Saturday, the class’s entertainment chair gives a coy response:
“Well, booking Bono as Bono would be against University regulations, wouldn’t it?”
Indeed it would. Several years ago, Princeton implemented a policy banning classes from hiring major musical acts — a response to previous performances by the likes of Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Jon Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, Flo Rida, and Duran Duran, which drew massive crowds.
Nonetheless, that really did look and sound like Bono — even to this reporter, who was in attendance.
Word spread quickly Saturday night and in the days that followed. The U2 set, backed by the ’80s tribute band Jessie’s Girl, even trended on Fizz, a social media platform used by college students, where one user posted, “I can’t believe the 30th got Bono and I missed it.”
So, was it Bono, or was it Anthony Russo?
Russo, 58, is the longtime frontman of Unforgettable Fire, the longest-running U2 tribute band in the U.S., which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. He lives just 25 minutes away in North Brunswick and spent 20 years working as a pharmaceutical researcher at Bristol Myers Squibb in nearby Lawrence before becoming Bono’s full-time doppelgänger.
“I do resemble him a lot physically,” says Russo, who adds that he has performed at previous Reunions and eating clubs. “If I put the sunglasses on and walk around Princeton or New York City, I’ll get people turning their heads and following me. The thing is, I don’t want to do that. I don’t want to disrespect Bono.”
Stack, an entertainment and tech executive with ties to major musicians, had booked talent for the class’s 25th reunion in 2020 before it was canceled because of COVID. For the 30th, he came back determined to put on a memorable show.
“My goal as entertainment chair of the great Class of 1995 was to deliver magic moments throughout the three days,” he says. “I told our internal leadership we wouldn’t say in writing that Bono is here. People can speculate.
“We just said we had a special guest, which is absolutely true.”
Speaking of the truth, let’s just say a nosy reporter happened to spot the setlist on the stage that included the name “Anthony” next to the U2 songs. Just a coincidence, right?
But for Stack — and Russo — the identity question misses the point.
“Does it matter whether it was Bono?” Stack asks. “We had an epic moment, and folks came together.”
2 Responses
John Charles Wilkey
1 Month AgoNorth Brunswick’s Own
I first met Anthony waiting in line for admission to the “heart” for the New Jersey stop on U2’s elevation tour. I learned that he was from my hometown of North Brunswick and that he had just joined a U2 tribute band. I was a lifelong U2 fan, that makes me proud for some reason, LOL.
Max Maizels ’72
1 Month AgoBanning Major Musical Acts
What is the University policy for hiring major musical acts at reunions? What is behind the policy? What defines a prohibited act?
This is the first I have heard of this.
Editor's note: Here is a PAW article published in 2024 with more details on the policy: https://paw.princeton.edu/article/when-reunions-banned-rock-stars-cover…