Why is Jon's voice getting weaker?

I am a U2 fan just as much as the next guy, but really...Bono's voice has gotten weaker. I agree with Cpt. Crash...I have seen the U2 Live from Boston DVD 4 times, and you can tell he can't reach some of those notes anymore. Also, just to rant...Bono, sing the song like it was made. I don't care to hear any of your political views thrown into it. That's just me though!!

Take care,
Norm

PS- Oh yeah, about Jon's voice...it sounds fine to me.

I have to agree with Becky that Jon's voice sounds very poweful on Bounce- much more so than Crush. It also sounds deeper- more reminscent of the early days. No of course Jon can't reach all those high notes anymore. He is 40 after all but I think his voice sounded great at Times Square and on the webcast last week. I love U2 but Bono himself has admitted that his voice is weaker- at times I have heard him sound a little squeaky, but I love his passion. Have to agree with the political commentary comment though- I got real irritated at a Bruce concert recently for the same reason and I love Bruce as much as Bon Jovi. And I wasn't thrilled with Jon getting into it at Shepherd's Bush either. I go to hear music- if I want political commentary I will put on talk radio. But I accept that my politics are not the same as Jon or Bruce's and I love them as musicians.

I'm sticking with Jon. I heard him say he could hit the notes but chooses not to. (Who would? My God, those are hysterical.. )

Bounce is probably the most powerful sounding song. There are some high sounding songs on the album too.

Not really. He sings the old stuff live and can't hit it anymore. And it's not just a studio vs. live thing. I saw them live in 1995 and he could still hit anything he tried. Watching Shepard's Bush, he either doesn't go for it, or when he did, he couldn't sustain it. "Born To Be My Baby" sounded completely different because he didn't go for the high parts. I know voices can change over time, but some kind of elements have shortened his range and I am kinda disapointed about it. his voice still kicks ass, but he used to be incredible.

No, I don't think Jon's voice has become weaker, his voice in Bounce is very powerful!
KTF is my all time favorite album and I LOVE Jon's voice, comparing KTF to Bounce it's obvious that his voice sounds different...but I wouldn't say weaker. Maybe he has become voice lessons not to destroy it...?

Maybe it is weaker or maybe not. But singing in studio and on stage are 2 different things. When you´re on studio you can do several takes if you don´t like something. And when on stage, you have only that one chance of singing it. So I don´t think it´s fair to compare those two things.

Jon's voice isn't getting any weaker at all, however a while ago he did have some problems with it...it may have got weaker then, but it certaintly isn't getting any weaker now.
The peak of jon's voice had to be in the hardest part is the night's clip...that was awesome

I think the vocal training has a lot to do with it- he wasn't taught the proper techniques early in his career and had he kept going the way he was in the Slippery Days he wouldn't be here today. I know Jon wants to be in this for the long haul and that may mean changing the way he sings to preserve his voice. I do wish he would stop smoking though, but if the smokes are responsible for the deeper voice on Bounce, I will take it.

I do think Jon has become a little (just a little) bit croaky in the last few years. If you listen to his Power Station years and the first 3 BJ albums you hear his voice in his youth. I think that's a very powerful voice, and one of the best I have heard. Jon did a lot of damage to his voice on the two consecutive Silperrry When Wet and New Jersey tours, but I don't think he damaged it permanently. I do think Jon has changed his singing style, but he is still very good even though he's forty. I think everybody's voice is the best when they are at their youth, like Jon was.