Chris Martin, Bruce Springsteen Fill in for Bono at Surprise World AIDS Day Concert

There aren’t many rock singers that could replace Bono, but at a surprise U2 concert at New York’s Times Square Monday night, held to commemorate World AIDS Day, a couple guys named Chris Martin and Bruce Springsteen were more than willing to give it a try.

U2 has always been one of Coldplay frontman Martin’s biggest influences, which is why he was positively beaming as he took the stage to sing with his favorite band, filling in for the injured, missing-in-action Bono. “Dreams come true for young and old people alike,” Martin exclaimed, grinning widely after he and U2 opened with a euphoric version of “Beautiful Day.”

As U2 began its second number with Martin, “With or Without You,” the singer removed his jacket, revealing a homemade black shirt with the white lettering “SUBSTITU2.” While Martin had some trouble with the low parts in “Beautiful Day,” he locked into “With or Without You” like a karaoke professional, gesturing to the crowd and slowly pinwheeling his arms as he sang.

To close the hour-long performance, the Bono-less U2 returned to the stage, this time fronted by The Boss. Springsteen, wearing a black leather jacket and matching gloves, sang “Where the Streets Have No Name” in the gravelly voice that defines his own songs, but sounded a touch out of place on the U2 classic.

"Thank you for coming out to New York," Springsteen told the crowd. "I wanna send this one out to Bono. Be well, my friend." The words were heartfelt, and Bruce sounded more self-assured for the finale, "I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For," which featured some great vocal harmonies with U2 guitarist the Edge.

For many years, Bono has played a major role in the battle for AIDS awareness and prevention, and the singer was greatly looking forward to playing Midtown New York at the special World AIDS Day show. Then, on Nov. 16, Bono was riding his bike through Central Park when he swerved to avoid hitting another rider and took a tumble. In the accident, he sustained a fracture to the left side of his face, including the orbit of his eye, and also fractured his left shoulder in three places, his left arm in six places, and his left hand. The surgery to his limbs and shoulder alone required the insertion of three metal plates and 18 screws. While Bono will need intensive physical therapy and plenty of rest, he is expected to make a full recovery.

Rather than cancel this week’s Times Square concert — a benefit for (RED), an organization that aims to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child — U2 decided to perform with Martin and Springsteen. Between those brief sets, Carrie Underwood came onstage and performed her own songs (with the Edge on guitar), “Change” and “Something in the Water,” saying, “I am truly honored to be a part of this night, marking the beginning of what we believe to be the end of AIDS.”

The night’s other non-U2 performer, Kanye West, was a bit more visually compelling, taking the stage in a gray hoodie and a thick gold chain and performing a medley of hits that started with “Power,” and “Jesus Walks.” He dropped to his back at the end of “Black Skinhead,” and finished up with “Stronger” and “Touch the Sky,” spouting syncopated rhymes without missing a beat or losing his breath.

Prior to introducing U2 as “one of the greatest bands in the history of rock music,” former president Bill Clinton discussed the great strides that have been made in the fight against AIDS. “More people were put on life-saving medicines this year than were diagnosed with AIDS,” Clinton said. “We are going to win this fight.”

Despite the light rain that fell through the show, the plaza was packed, and by the ending chords the crowd realized two things: They had witnessed a once-in-a-lifetime event, but U2 without Bono just isn’t quite U2. 

The entire concert can be viewed in the player above.