Bono, Who Turns 66 Today, Ranked Among 'Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time'

Paul David Hewson is 66 years old today. For the uninitiated, he's otherwise known as the mononym Bono, the lead singer and primary lyricist for Irish rock band U2. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on May 10, 1960, the frontman has established himself as the voice of a generation, whose lyricism is equal parts politically charged and spiritually active.

Bono has amassed a variety of accolades over the span of his five-decade career, including being named one of Time's Persons of the Year in 2005 and receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in January 2025 from President Joe Biden. He even broke a 26-year tradition for Glamour when the magazine named him "Man of the Year" in 2016. He's also won a whopping 22 Grammy Awards as a member of U2 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside the band in 2005.

In addition to receiving U2-related honors, Bono has been included on multiple best-of lists and rankings recognizing his vocal talents. In 2023, Billboard slotted him in at No. 9 on its list of "The 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time." And honestly? He's deserving of that recognition. Bono's vocal style is as impassioned as it is tonally pleasing. There's a lot of power behind his three-octave vocal range, too.

Billboard isn't the only publication to laud Bono for his voice. Rolling Stone included the U2 frontman on iterations of its "Greatest Singers of All Time" lists. Consequence of Sound ranked him at No. 32 out of 100 on its list, while Uproxx placed Bono at No. 16 on its "The Best Lead Singers, Ranked" list from 2022. Bono has also been recognized for his songwriting abilities. The aforementioned Rolling Stone published "The 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time" list in 2015, with Bono and The Edge sitting pretty at No. 35.

In honor of this rock icon's birthday, be sure to blast some U2 while you go about your day today.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published May 10, 2026 at 11:33 AM.