The rocker took the trip on behalf of Jubilee 2000, the organization seeking forgiveness of massive Third World debts to Western countries so the poorer nations can get their economies on solid ground. The journey will be chronicled in a fall issue of the British magazine Marie Claire.
"Looking outside my window looks pretty good," said Rossdale, calling from London. "Things in [England] are not so good on a political level, with national health and welfare and many other problems. But nothing prepares you for the situation in Africa."
Now Rossdale is coming for a stay in Los Angeles (home of his longtime girlfriend, No Doubt's Gwen Stefani), where he plans to write and record demos of songs for Bush's fourth album. Tentative plans are to start recording in England in October, with a release possible in early 2001. But while he's planning to continue Jubilee activity with such efforts as writing to British Prime Minister Tony Blair and other leaders on a regular basis, he's not sure how or if the Tanzania experience will be reflected in his new songs.
"Everything has an impact on my writing, and that was definitely one of
the most extreme situations I've put myself in," he said. "I don't want
to make it that contrived--the stuff I've sung about and written about
seems to just be about enjoying being alive."