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

He has candidly admitted to the truth of claims that rock stars like him are overpaid and overnourished. "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?"

The singer claimed that he was taking a stance against file sharing to stand up for musicians less well-off than himself.

"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]."

The band will be embarking on a huge world tour, with Kaiser Chiefs and Black Eyed Peas as the opening acts.

(CRI/Agencies March 18, 2009)