Island Records

'I didn't start out as a singer, for sure. And when I tried to sing like The Clash or whatever else, I just didn't have a great rock and roll voice...'

Ahead of the autumn publication of his memoir, Surrender, Bono has been the guest of Lauren Laverne on the BBC's long-running radio show Desert Island Discs. 

In the iconic BBC show, which first aired in 1942, the ‘castaway' guests choose eight musical tracks, a book and a luxury that they'd take to a desert island. Bono's luxury item is a Spanish guitar, but he says he'll have to improve his playing since damaging his fingers in a cycling accident.

"I remember saying to the band after the accident, 'I don't think I can play guitar. And they were looking at me [saying] 'When could you ever?'".

The 45 minute programme airs again in the UK on BBC Radio 4 today, Friday, and is also available 24/7 on BBC Sounds.

Here's 'Eight things we learned from Bono's Desert Island Discs' and you can listen to the show here.

Pre order your copy of Surrender here.