Police probe missing U2 songs

[gldstwmn]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe....u2/index.html

Friday, July 16, 2004 Posted: 8:34 AM EDT (1234 GMT)

PARIS, France -- Irish rock band U2 have called in the police after a copy of songs from their new CD disappeared while they were posing for the cover photo.

An unfinished copy of the group's upcoming CD disappeared while the Irish rock band was posing for the album cover in a studio outside Nice, southern France.

About 20 people who were at Tuesday's photo shoot were questioned by police, who told The Associated Press it was unclear whether the CD's disappearance was accidental or theft.

"A large slice of two years work lifted via a piece of round plastic. It doesn't seem credible but that's what's just happened to us... and it was my CD.," guitarist Edge told the band's official Web site.

The CD contained tracks to be included on their new album, the first in four years, tipped to be called Vertigo.

According to U2.com, the band recently completed much of the recording of the much-awaited new album in Dublin and have been involved in post-production work in France.

It was to be the first new studio album from U2 since "All That You Can't Leave Behind" nearly four years ago.

"The recording of this album has been going so well," added Paul McGuinness of Principle Management.

"The band is so excited about its release. It would be a shame if unfinished work fell into the wrong hands."

"This matter is of great concern to us," said Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group UK.

"As the missing CD is our property, we're very keen find it as soon as possible and the French police are being extremely helpful in this regard."

Reports say the new album could end up on the Internet where fans would be able to download it for free -- costing the band and the record company millions in lost revenue.