Indisputably one of the most popular rock acts in the world, this Irish quartet’s achievements since the late 70s have been extraordinarily cohesive and consistent. U2 began their musical career at school in Dublin in 1977. Bono (b. Paul David Hewson, 10 May 1960, Dublin, Eire; vocals), The Edge (b. David Evans, 8 August 1961, Barking, Essex, England; guitar), Adam Clayton (b. 13 March 1960, Chinnor, Oxfordshire, England; bass) and Larry Mullen Jnr. (b. Laurence Mullen, 31 October 1961, Dublin, Eire; drums) initially played Rolling Stones and Beach Boys cover versions in an outfit named Feedback. They then changed their name to the Hype before finally settling on U2 in 1978. After winning a talent contest in Limerick that year, they came under the wing of manager Paul McGuinness and were subsequently signed to CBS Records Ireland.
U2’s debut EP U2:3 featured ‘Out Of Control’ (1979), which propelled them to number 1 in the Irish charts. They repeated that feat with ‘Another Day’ (1980), but having been passed by CBS UK, they were free to sign a contract outside of Ireland with Island Records. Their UK debut ‘11 O’Clock Tick Tock’, produced by Martin Hannett, was well received but failed to chart. Two further singles, ‘A Day Without Me’ and ‘I Will Follow’, passed with little sales while the band prepared their first album, produced by Steve Lillywhite. Boy, a moving and inspired document of adolescence, received critical approbation, which was reinforced by the live shows that U2 were undertaking throughout the country. Bono’s impassioned vocals and the band’s rhythmic tightness revealed them as the most promising live unit of 1981. After touring America, the band returned to Britain where ‘Fire’ was bubbling under the Top 30. Another minor hit with the impassioned ‘Gloria’ was followed by the strident October. The album had a thrust reinforced by a religious verve that was almost evangelical in its force. Later, it was revealed that the band almost disintegrated during the sessions for the album. The loss of a suitcase full of notes and lyrics led to Bono being forced to hastily write new words in the studio.
In February 1983 U2 reached the UK Top 10 with ‘New Year’s Day’, a song of hope inspired by the Polish Solidarity Movement. War followed soon afterwards to critical plaudits. The album’s theme covered both religious and political conflicts, especially in the key track ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday’, which had already emerged as one of the band’s most startling and moving live songs. Given their power in concert, it was inevitable that U2 would attempt to capture their essence on a live album. Under A Blood Red Sky (recorded at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, USA) did not disappoint and, as well as climbing to number 2 in the UK, it brought them their first significant chart placing in the USA at number 28.
By the summer of 1984, U2 were about to enter the vanguard of the rock elite. Bono duetted with Bob Dylan at the latter’s concert at Slane Castle and U2 established their own company, Mother Records, with the intention of unearthing fresh musical talent in Eire. The Unforgettable Fire, produced by Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, revealed a new maturity and improved their commercial and critical standing in the US charts. The attendant single, ‘Pride (In The Name Of Love)’, displayed the passion and humanity that were by now familiar ingredients in U2’s music and lyrics. The band’s commitment to their ideals was further underlined by their appearances at Live Aid, Ireland’s Self Aid, and their involvement with Amnesty International and guest spot on Little Steven’s anti-Apartheid single, ‘Sun City’.
During this same period, U2 embarked on a world tour and completed work on their next album. The Joshua Tree emerged in March 1987 and confirmed U2’s standing as one of the most popular acts in the world. The album, which became the fastest-selling album in history and topped both the US and UK charts, revealed a new, more expansive sound that complemented their soul-searching lyrics. The familiar themes of spiritual salvation permeated the work and the quest motif was particularly evident on both ‘With Or Without You’ and the gospel-tinged ‘I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For’, which both reached number 1 in the US charts, confirming U2 as indisputably the most successful European act to cross the Atlantic for several years. They became the first rock band since the Who to appear on the cover of Time magazine.
After such a milestone album, 1988 proved a relatively quiet year for U2. Bono and the Edge appeared on Roy Orbison’s Mystery Girl and the year ended with the poorly received double album and documentary film, Rattle And Hum. The portentous tone of the film did the band little favours, with Bono’s po-faced self-mythology attracting particular critical ire. The band also belatedly scored their first UK number 1 single with the R&B-influenced ‘Desire’.