When Larry Mullen Jr. (Drummer) in 1976, put up an ad at the notice board of the Mount Temple School, who knew that the four lads from the north side of Dublin would go on to form one of the greatest bands of all times. Over thirty years as a recording artist the numbers cannot be ignored or denied - 22 Grammies (more than any other recording artist), 150 million in album sales, inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, 3 of the best selling tours and millions of world-wide fans.

Can U2 Save The World?

"Re-applying for the job, what job, the best band in the world job"- Bono at the 2000 Grammy awards

The North Side of Dublin

When Larry Mullen Jr. (Drummer) in 1976, put up an ad at the notice board of the Mount Temple School, who knew that the four lads from the north side of Dublin would go on to form one of the greatest bands of all times. Over thirty years as a recording artist the numbers cannot be ignored or denied - 22 Grammies (more than any other recording artist), 150 million in album sales, inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, 3 of the best selling tours and millions of world-wide fans.

Yet no drug busts, no back stage groupie stories, no overdoses or car crashes or scandals. On the contrary what you get is a megalomaniac lead singer who champions causes for Africa, has dinner at the White House, speaks at Harvard and the World Economic Forum, married to the same woman for 27 years and still writes songs for her! U2 is not just about the music, it is the Church of the People!

Staring at the Sun

In the beginning, Dave Evans or known as The Edge (Guitar), Adam Clayton (Bass) and Paul Hewson (Bono) rehearsed in Larry's kitchen being supported by Larry's Mom who was their first roadie. Island Records signed U2 and they released their first album in 1980 called Boy. An album which was big on message; Bono's wailing, The Edge's echoing guitar work and of course the epic treatment for every song.

The next two albums October in 1981 and War in 1983 saw U2 gain a lot of critical acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Sunday Bloody Sun from the War, a politically charged song had Bono performing with a white flag on stage captured brilliantly on their first live album/video "Under a Blood Red Sky"; it reflects the beginnings of a rock showman and a tight band which was ready for "what's next!"

Wide Awake in America

It was in America where the band discovered its magic. U2 toured all across America, from "The Garden" in NYC to small towns and smaller venues. Pride in the name of Love about Martin Luther King Jr. from their fourth album The Unforgettable Fire was America and U2 falling in love with each other. An early defining moment came during 1985 Live Aid concert when Bono jumped into the crowd danced with a fan while million across the world watched it live.

Their next album would cement their heroes to superstar status. The Joshua Tree featuring "wall of sound" guitar, poignant lyrics and soul of a rock band embracing the world; winning Album of the year at the Grammies, selling over 15 million - U2 according to Time magazine was "Rock's Hottest Ticket". The 80's ended with a sell-out tour and another live album Rattle and Hum!

Dreaming it up Again

U2 was about to change the world again. Recording Achtung Baby during the fall of the Wall in Berlin; was a new direction of using electronic and industrial production, darker and sexual lyrics with a rock-dance style rhythm. The massive success of the album, along with the multi-media ZOO TV world tour was the reinvention of U2. Zooropa in 1993 continued the theme of its predecessor. In 1995, U2 recorded Miss Sarajevo with Luciano Pavarotti and in '97 the new album Pop was being criticized of being too loose. The massive video screen for the Pop Mart world tour was Bono playing the self-indulgent rock star. The band did play in Sarajevo right after the Bosnian war!

The Future needs a Big Kiss

U2 released "All that You can't leave Behind" in late 2000; a return to grace and was being hailed as the "third masterpiece". The song Beautiful Day won three Grammies and during the very successful Elevation Tour U2 played in NYC in Oct '01 right after Sept 11 attacks. The song Walk On adding soul-searching resonance to the feelings of the time. U2 also gave a memorable Super Bowl performance in 2002. In late 2004, the U2 released the harder rock sounding How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

In '05 they won album of the year and were inducted into the rock n' roll hall fame and of course the Vertigo world tour was highest grossing for the year. They even embraced the era of MP3 downloads with a special release of U2 Apple iPod.

Their twelfth album "No Line on the Horizon" in early 2009 was not a massive seller, but it still added to the sensibility of a working band having achieved everything. The songs had an inward feel and come alive when they are played live.

In 09, with the world in recession U2 manage to sell out its massive U2-360 stadium world tour. U2 ended the year playing at the 20^th anniversary celebration of the fall of the Berlin wall with a fantastic show at Brandenburg Gate. The phenomenal success of U2 lies in its belief to remain relevant and that their total is more than the sum of each part!

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