Bono, the flamboyant rock star, and Jesse Helms, the retired uber-conservative North Carolina senator, enjoyed dinner together backstage before U2′s recent show in Charlotte. The odd couple share a deep interest in the fight against AIDS in Africa and are friends dating back to Helms’ days as a prominent player in the Senate. Bono met with Helms and the latter was impressed with the rocker’s policy acumen and passion. Helms did not stick around for the show.