March 13, 2009 10:42

U2's Bono: 'I'm overpaid'

Plus singer slams illegal downloading

Photo Gallery: U2

U2's Bono has slammed illegal music downloading but has admitted that he is "overpaid".

The singer claimed that he was taking a stance against file sharing to stand up for musicians less well-off than himself, rather than trying to protect his own considerable wealth.

"People think people like me are overpaid and overnourished, and they're not wrong," he told USA Today. "What they're missing is, how does a songwriter get paid?

"It's not the place for rich rock stars to ask for more money, but somebody should fight for fellow artists, because this is madness. Music has become tap water, a utility, where for me it's a sacred thing, so I'm a little offended [by illegal downloading]."

Bono went on to predict that illegal file-sharing would be cracked down on for good when the film and TV industries find themselves in a similar situation.

"The music business has been thrown to the dogs legislatively," he said. "[That will change when] file-sharing of TV shows and movies becomes as easy as songs. Somebody is going to call the cops."

U2 recently announced details of a huge world tour.