Follow U2
U2 Quick Links News Pictures Video Music Footage Comments Quotes RSS
U2 Quick Links
News Pictures Video Music Footage Comments Quotes RSS
U2 (formed 1976)
U2 are an Irish rock band, consisting of Bono (vocals), Larry Mullen Jr. (drums), Adam Clayton (bass) and The Edge (guitar, keyboards and vocals).
The Early Years: The members of U2 formed the band when Larry Mullen Jr., aged 14, posted a note on the notice board at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, looking for people to form a band with.
All four members off the band attended the initial practice, in Mullen's kitchen and chose the name Feedback. There were three other boys at the rehearsal, none of whom made the final grade. Dick Evans lasted the longest, eventually walking offstage at a farewell gig at Howth Presbyterian Church. It was at this moment that the band changed their name to U2.
The band won a talent show in 1978, winning £500 and the chance to record a demo tape. Paul McGuiness agreed to be their manager and their first EP was released in Ireland only. Entitled Three, the EP was their first success in the Irish charts.
The Mainstream: In 1980, U2 were signed to Island Records. '11 O'Clock Tick Tock' was the band's debut internationally released single. Steve Lillywhite was drafted in to produce their debut album, Boy, which was well received by music critics.
October was the band's second album. It did not sell well outside of the UK and Island records put pressure on the band to improve. U2's answer to this pressure was the album, War. The album's artwork featured the photography of Anton Corbijn. War went straight to number one in the UK charts and the debut single was 'New Year's Day' became their first overseas hit single. The live album, Under a Blood Red Sky was recorded on the promotional tour for War, which saw the band playing to sold-out venues across Europe and the States.
In 1984, the band released The Unforgettable Fire. Produced by Brian Eno, the album saw a more experimental change in direction. The debut single from the album, 'Pride (In The Name of Love)', written about Martin Luther King was the band's best-selling single at that point in their career, including an entry in the US charts, which had eluded them until that point. The live tour for the album saw the band playing in indoor arenas and their performance at Wembley Stadium's Live Aid concert is still considered one of their most memorable gigs ever.
Acting on criticism that The Unforgettable Fire was somewhat fuzzy and unfocused, the band's next album featured more conventional song structures. In March 1987,The Joshua Tree was released. The album was number one in the US for nine weeks and was their fastest-selling album in the UK. The band were rewarded with two Grammy Awards and the first two singles 'With or Without You' and 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For' both went to number one in the US. The accompanying tour became the subject of the documentary Rattle and Hum. The double album of the same name featured live tracks of the tour and nine studio tracks. The film featured tracks recorded with B.B. King and Bob Dylan.
Achtung Baby was U2's seventh studio album. Released in 1991, the album was influenced by dance, industrial and alternative music. Recorded initially in East Berlin, this album was again produced by Brian Eno and his engineer, Daniel Lanois. In 1992/3, the band embarked on the Zoo TV tour. The tour was an ambitious multimedia event, with hundreds of video screens, flying cars and mock transmissions towers.
The Zooropa album was originally intended as an EP and incorporated techno music influences and electronic music. The final track on the album, 'The Wanderer', was sung by Johnny Cash.
Original Soundtracks 1 was an experimental album released in 1995. Brian Eno was this time not just a producer, but contributed to the writing and performing of the songs. It was released under the name Passengers, to distinguish it from U2's conventional releases. One track, 'Miss Sarajevo' featured Luciano Pavarotti was a hit, though the album performed poorly compared to other U2 albums.
Pop, released in 1997 saw U2 continue with their experimentation, involving tape loops, sampling and sequencing. The album debuted at number one in 35 countries and was a critical success. A month after the PopMart tour - which saw U2 being the first rock band to play in Sarajevo following the Bosnian war - the band appeared on an episode of The Simpsons entitled 'Trash of the Titans'.
In October 2000, the band released All That You Can't Leave Behind. The album was number one in 22 countries and spawned the singles 'Beautiful Day', 'Walk On', 'Stuck in a Moment You can't Get Out Of', and 'Elevation', all of which won Grammy awards.
How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb hit the stores in 2004 and the single 'Vertigo' was the soundtrack to a widely publicised advert for Apple's iPod. Apple also manufactured a limited edition U2 iPod and an iTunes U2 box set. The tour saw the band playing songs that they had not played since the 1980s. The next year, U2 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bruce Springsteen.
Biography by Contactmusic.com
Time For A Fresh Start? Here's Our Ultimate New Year Playlist
By Holly Mosley in Music / Festivals on 31 December 2020
Ariana Grande Oasis U2 Kaiser Chiefs Taylor Swift Kelly Clarkson Yungblud
Ring in the New Year with a very appropriate playlist...
The New Year is almost here, and we've never been more relieved or felt the need to celebrate more. Of course, our celebrations will be dampened by social distancing regulations, but we reckon a good playlist is all we need to ring in a very welcome 2021.
1. Thank U, Next - Ariana Grande
Continue reading: Time For A Fresh Start? Here's Our Ultimate New Year Playlist
U2 Open Up About Their Vegas Experiences In Brian Doogan's New Boxing Book 'The SuperFight'
By in Music / Festivals on 14 December 2020
Ringside seats to Hagler vs Leonard and buddying up with Frank Sinatra, U2 have fond memories of their time in Vegas.
It was the night Bono and U2 went to the ringside in Las Vegas "feeling like U2, Dublin, Ireland, and left feeling like the number one group on the planet".
The SuperFight between Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard - the subject of a new book by Irish author Brian Doogan - was a $100 million showdown at Caesars Palace in April 1987 which coincided with U2's shoot for the iconic video to I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For; the second track on The Joshua Tree album.
The SuperFight: Marvelous Marvin Hagler - Sugar Ray Leonard by Brian Doogan
Continue reading: U2 Open Up About Their Vegas Experiences In Brian Doogan's New Boxing Book 'The SuperFight'
U2'S 10k A Night House Hunt
By Bang Showbiz in Lifestyle / Showbiz on 16 March 2019
U2 are struggling to find four $10,000-a-night mansions to rent for their upcoming Sydney, Australia shows.
U2 are looking to rent four $10,000-a-night mansions for their upcoming Sydney, Australia shows.
The quartet - Bono, The Edge, Larry Mullen and Adam Clayton - are reportedly each seeking their own palatial pad for their stay in the city as part of their 'Experience + Innocence' tour but the quest is proving difficult.
A source told The Sydney Morning Herald that finding huge properties for the stars and their families is proving impossible.
Continue reading: U2'S 10k A Night House Hunt
Paul McGuinness Compares Managing U2 To Managing A Football Team [Interview]
By Staff Writer in Music / Festivals on 11 February 2019
The former music manager talks about what it was like at the centre of the U2 universe.
It doesn't take long to appreciate you are in the presence of rock music royalty when you are offered an audience with Paul McGuinness.
U2's manager for more than three decades of their remarkable existence has long-since been credited with creating the DNA of Ireland's most successful band and changing the face of stadium rock forever, yet this charming Irishman has never attempted to steal a slice of the limelight from the icons he helped to create.
Riviera / Photo Credit: Sky Atlantic
Continue reading: Paul McGuinness Compares Managing U2 To Managing A Football Team [Interview]
Music News Round-Up: Stormzy Headlines Glastonbury, Hozier Returns, The KLF's Death Pyramid
By Ed Biggs in Music / Festivals on 18 November 2018
Stormzy U2 Hozier Karen O
The latest music news rounded up, including speculation on U2's retirement, and a collaboration album between Karen O and Danger Mouse.
Stormzy CONFIRMED AS FIRST GLASTO 2019 HEADLINER
Grime superstar Stormzy has been named as the first headliner for the 2019 edition of Glastonbury Festival. The 25 year old rapper will be taking to the iconic Pyramid Stage on Friday June 28th.
Glastonbury confirmed the news on Thursday afternoon, after fans had spotted official signs from the festival saying 'Stormzy Friday' this week.
Continue reading: Music News Round-Up: Stormzy Headlines Glastonbury, Hozier Returns, The KLF's Death Pyramid
U2 Fans Speculate On The Band's Future
Bono told fans at their Berlin gig this week that U2 would be "going away now".
U2 fans are wondering about the future of their heroes this morning, waking up to speculation that the massive stadium-rockers might be calling it a day after wrapping their latest world tour last night.
The Irish band completed the final date of 'Experience + Innocence' world tour on Tuesday night (November 13th) in Berlin. However, near the end of the gig, lead singer Bono addressed the crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, and hinted that, more than four decades after forming in 1976, U2 might be preparing to retire.
"We've been on the road for quite some time, just going on 40 years, and this last 4 years have been really something very special for us. We're going away now…" the singer, real name Paul Hewson, told the thousands of fans.
Continue reading: U2 Fans Speculate On The Band's Future
U2 Forced To Cut Berlin Show Short Over Bono's Vocal Struggles
By Holly Mosley in Music / Festivals on 03 September 2018
U2 Bono
The singer completely lost his voice mid-show over the weekend.
U2 fans in Germany were left hearbroken when the band were forced to cut short their show over the weekend, when frontman Bono found himself suddenly struck down with vocal problems. He's since made a full recovery and announced a rescheduling of the show.
U2 performing live
According to audience members at Berlin's Mercedes-Benz Arena on Saturday (September 1st 2018), he had been struggling through 'Beautiful Day' when he started to struggle hitting the right notes, despite having been singing perfectly fine beforehand. He actually wondered aloud whether the smoke machines were to blame for his croaky vocals.
Continue reading: U2 Forced To Cut Berlin Show Short Over Bono's Vocal Struggles
Bono Talks About His Near Death Experience In New Short Film 'Liner Notes'
By Holly Williams in Music / Festivals on 12 January 2018
He doesn't reveal what happened, only that it was a 'shock to the system'.
Bono reveals all about U2's latest album 'Songs of Experience' in an eloquent narrative entitled 'Liner Notes'; a short black and white film that explores the thoughts behind each of the songs that he wrote and the experiences that inspired them, including a brush with death.
Bono at the 40 Music Awards
The U2 frontman speaks about everything from his mother's death to his summers the South of France, from the war in Syria to the changing climate of America in the Matt Mahurin produced film. Plus, of course, what it means to find true joy. But perhaps the most telling note in his narration was that about his near death experience.
Continue reading: Bono Talks About His Near Death Experience In New Short Film 'Liner Notes'
Bono Says Music 'Has Gotten Very Girly'
By Stephanie Chase in Music / Festivals on 28 December 2017
Bono U2
The U2 frontman used a poor choice of words while lamenting the current music scene.
Bono has described the current music scene as "very girly", adding that "hip-hop is the only place for young male anger at the moment."
The U2 frontman made the comments during an interview with Rolling Stone, after revealing that his children help him discover new music.
Bono at the Los40 Music Awards
Continue reading: Bono Says Music 'Has Gotten Very Girly'
U2's New Album 'changed Massively' When Trump Was Elected
By Clive King in Music / Festivals on 07 December 2017
U2 Donald Trump Bono
U2's producer Andy Barlow has revealed the band's new album 'Songs Of Experience' was re-written after Donald Trump was elected President of the United States in November 2016.
U2 scrapped and re-wrote a lot of their new album 'Songs of Experience' because Donald Trump's election rendered much of it irrelevant.
The group - made up of Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr. - worked with new producer Andy Barlow on the record, and he admitted the new President of the United States caused a shift in songwriting for the band.
Speaking to Billboard, he explained: ''The album changed massively when Trump got elected. We pretty much had it in the bag and then the band came in the next day and went, 'We've got to change it. It's not relevant anymore.'
Continue reading: U2's New Album 'changed Massively' When Trump Was Elected
The Edge and Adam Clayton of U2 seen arriving at the 2016 StubHub Q Awards, London, United Kingdom - Wednesday 2nd November 2016
U2 , Bono - U2 headlines at the SSE Hydro within the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) in Glasgow at SSE Hydro SECC - Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom - Friday 6th November 2015
Bono and U2 - Celebrities arrive at the Sarm studios to record the Band Aid 30 single 'Do they Know It's Christmas'. The new Band Aid 30 song and music video will debut on The X Factor results show Sunday night (16Nov). at The X Factor - London, United Kingdom - Saturday 15th November 2014
Bono and U2 - Celebrities at Chiltern Firehouse restaurant in Marylebone - London, United Kingdom - Wednesday 22nd October 2014
The Edge, Larry Mullen, Jr. and U2 - Celebrities at BBC Radio 1 at BBC Portland Place - London, United Kingdom - Thursday 16th October 2014
/u2
@u2
www.u2.com/
U2 Tweets
Wed Jan 20 19:52:49 +0000 2021 U2
And here's to those conservatives who, when incited to turn your back on democracy, chose to put country above part… https://t.co/H6Ie5QfePL
an idea both very Irish, and very American. Congratulations and Godspeed to President Biden and Vice President Kama… https://t.co/hEztQywjzy
but today her flame burns bright as we watch her torch transfer to two new leaders who will calm the waters, even w… https://t.co/B0RxtwiAif
Bono: "As an Irishman, I've always believed America isn't just a country, it's an idea, one the whole world has a s… https://t.co/9z6B2nMrbE
Mon Jan 18 14:17:37 +0000 2021 U2
RT @SIRIUSXM: Join Bono on @U2 X-Radio as he pays special tribute to Martin Luther King Jr. https://t.co/9M6zzygUXb https://t.co/N5QuT08GFe
'Dr King's voice is louder today than it has ever been... one of the true fathers of the American dream' Bono… https://t.co/QdhVc4jPV2
Sun Jan 17 11:07:35 +0000 2021 U2
Pride (In The Name Of Love)' (Slane Castle Version) What does this song mean to you ? https://t.co/ywAagbbL5C… https://t.co/lanU4fSTx9
Fri Jan 15 18:41:03 +0000 2021 U2
From today on @youtube in 4k, 'Pride (In The Name Of Love)' (Sepia Version). https://t.co/OXio1eAltq This was alway… https://t.co/ruA5oI2wtO
Thu Jan 14 15:03:27 +0000 2021 U2
RT @johnkellytweets: Friends in the US and Canada. On Sunday's ELEVATION on U2X-Radio I'll be discussing Doughnut Economics with the econom…
Uganda votes tomorrow… a final hour plea from Nobel Prize winners, artists and activists for free and fair election… https://t.co/P9ToV3nsjO
David Bowie - 5 Years gone https://t.co/CWhyNiYcIj
Sat Jan 09 18:07:30 +0000 2021 U2
Filmed on Montmartre in Paris in 1983, this is 'Two Hearts Beat As One'. Now on @youtube in 4k. #U2… https://t.co/VOW0i1BAjq
'Shake, Shake'. You may not have seen this video. A Celebration. From today on @youtube in 4k. #U2… https://t.co/L6KMgiB0hK
Violence is a weapon of the weak and it has no place in a political election. The citizens of Uganda deserve a free… https://t.co/6m3Jn9UOQK
Let's make 2021 a year of peace and forgiveness…' The Edge #2021 https://t.co/OT0ZZo6LfR
Thu Dec 24 21:00:01 +0000 2020 U2
Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year. Come on 21…Bono https://t.co/5MelEIYDYW
Extended Christmas episode of XTRACTS with some of the special guests who've joined the band on U2-X Radio in 2020.… https://t.co/JZ5lLoF30I
Tue Dec 22 17:00:38 +0000 2020 U2
Adam's Alternative Christmas playlist for Drakes W1 (Question: What's YOUR favourite track from Adam's festive 26?) https://t.co/agmC5M8z13
Mon Dec 21 18:10:41 +0000 2020 U2
RT @RollingStone: 'Sing 2' gets a whole slate of new characters, including Bono, Halsey, and Pharrell Williams https://t.co/N5pddr9sAk http…
They sold me a dream of Christmas, They sold me a silent night…' From Greg Lake in 1974 to U2 for @RED in 2008.… https://t.co/AdINZz2mJ6
U2 Sued For Plagiarism By British Singer-Songwriter Over 'The Fly'
U2 Re-visit 'The Joshua Tree' With Nostalgic 30th Anniversary Tour
U2 - Questions For The Candidate - Bullet The Blue Sky Intro Clip Video
Bono Thanks Police For Evacuating Stockholm Show
'Security Breach' Causes U2 To Postpone Stockholm Show
U2 Cancels Stockholm Show Following 'Security Breach'
Bono Speaks Out On Refugee Crisis During Gig
U2 - Song For Someone Video
The Edge Gives Away Daughter At Tuscan Wedding
Bruce Springsteen Rocks Out With U2 On Final Night Of New York Residency
U2 Invite The Roots And Jimmy Fallon Onstage At New York Gig
U2 Revive Old Hit October For First Night In New York
Bono Pays Tribute To Former Israeli Leader's Peace Efforts At Gig
Bono Visits Canadian Parliament To Discuss Foreign Aid