photo courtesy of Ryan Mulloyo
In The Beginning…
Unquestionably one of the most popular rock groups in the world, Irish unit U2 began their musical career while they were students at Dublin’s Mount Temple School. Originally called Feedback and then The Hype, the group finally decided on U2 in the year 1978. Bono (lead vocals), the Edge (guitars, piano, vocals), Larry Mullen Jr. (drums, vocals) and Adam Clayton (bass) played many small clubs and venues in their native country of Ireland. The following year the band released their first record, a three-track EP entitled U23. By 1980, U2 had built up quite a following and began to gain considerable success. The same year U2 signed to Island Records and released their first single, “11 O’Clock Tick Tock.”
In the summer of 1980, U2 began working on their first official album, with producer Steve Lillywhite. Their first single, “A Day Without Me,” was a success and the group was now ready to start their first major tour of Europe. The album, “Boy,” was released along with the most popular single from the album, “I Will Follow,” which is still played on many radio stations even today.
The US Invasion
In 1981, the band’s second album, “October,” was released. The album entered the United Kingdom charts at No. 11 after one week of it’s release, and the album’s second single, “Gloria,” also entered the U.K charts. The band was still touring across Europe and U2 started to tour in the United States regularly. The release of “War,” the band’s third album, in 1983, marked a turning point in the bands career. The single off the album, “New Year’s Day,” a song about the Polish Solidarity Movement, was a U.K. top ten hit and the album went to straight to the number one spot in the U.K. charts. The album went to the top ten in the United States.
After so much success, U2 decided to release their first live album. Recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, during a U.S. tour, “Under A Blood Red Sky” topped the charts and reached platinum status only two months after its release. In Rolling Stone magazine, U2 was voted “Band of the Year” for 1983.
U2 started their work on their fourth album in May 1984. “The Unforgettable Fire” was produced under the new producers Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois at the Slane Castle, outside of Dublin. The album was released in October of 1984 and immediately shot to the number one spot in the U.K. By this time, U2 had built the reputation of being a truly talented rock band and was selling out all of Europe, as well as in the United States, managing to sell out Madison Square Garden.
1985 proved to be another big year for U2. In July 1985, U2 performed at the charity benefit Live Aid and then returned to Dublin to begin work on their next album. They interrupted rehearsals in June 1986 to play on a six-date American tour titled, “A Conspiracy of Hope,” to benefit Amnesty International. U2 played with many various artists on the tour such as Peter Gabriel, Lou Reed, Bryan Adams, the Neville Brothers, Joan Baez and the Police. Also in May of 1985, the band released a specially priced EP entitled, “Wide Awake in America,” which was released only in the United States. The album featured live recordings of “Bad” and “A Sort of Homecoming.”
In the year 1987, U2 reached superstar status and would become one of the most requested and biggest selling acts of all time. “The Joshua Tree,” which was released in March of 1987, established U2 as perhaps one of the greatest rock bands of their time. The album went straight to No. 1 on the U.K. charts as well as in the U.S. When the Joshua Tree tour kicked off, Time magazine placed U2 on their cover and proclaimed U2 to be “Rock’s Hottest Ticket.” In the months that followed, U2 played hundreds of shows and sold over 14 million copies of “The Joshua Tree” in over 22 different countries.
U2 earned two Grammy Awards from “The Joshua Tree” album, grabbing the Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance. U2 then released the double album, “Rattle and Hum,” in 1989, which was produced by Jimmy Iovine. It earned the band two more Grammy Awards, this time for Best Rock Performance and Best Video.
A Brand New Sound
After a short hiatus, in 1991, U2 decided to revamp their style from the American cowboy to more of a modern style. They released “Achtung Baby” which quickly went multi-platinum. The album re-enlisted the production talents of Daniel Lanois and Brian Eno. The album was recorded in various locations, including Berlin and Dublin. Some of the singles from the album included hits such as “One” and “Mysterious Ways.” The album spawned a huge tour, which was called The Zoo T.V. tour. The tremendous tour was followed by what would be U2’s tenth album, “Zooropa.”
After a long break, U2 once again returned to the mainstream with a new album, as well as with a new look and sound. The Electronica-influenced album, “Pop,” added even more hits to U2’s ever-growing library of music. Singles such as “Staring at the Sun” and “Discotheque” sent the band back on the road for .yet another tour. U2’s Popmart tour proved to be one of the most extensive and expensive arena tours ever staged. The international tour included a massive set and stage, with the world’s largest video screen (150 feet x 50 feet), a 35-foot Mirror lemons ball, from which the group emerged from in the middle of the show, and a 120-foot wide Stuffed Olive.
U2000
In October of 2000, U2 released their most recent work, “All That You Can’t Leave Behind.” The first single, “Beautiful Day,” was an instant hit. Recently, at the 2002 Grammy Awards, they walked away with an impressive four Grammys for Record of the Year, Best Pop Performance by a Duo or a Group with Vocal, Best Rock Album and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
U2 also opened the show with the single, “Walk On,” and then was the first artist to win an award on the Grammy telecast. Accepting the honor, Bono made a very interesting comment. “O, thank God we won. Being Irish, if you get eight nominations and get no awards, they wouldn’t let you back in the country, so this is a public safety issue. Thank you,” he said.
U2 has been one of the most influential and successful bands of the past two decades. They are still in their prime and will continue to write music that will win awards and inspire many. All they got is a “red guitar, three chords, and the truth,” and that’s all they need.
