U2 Fan Club

It all started with Larry Mullen posting an ad on the notice board of Dublin’s Temple Mount School. The ad read – “musicians wanted”, and U2 was formed soon after in 1978 when Adam Clayton and other band members such as Bono, responded to the advert. Displaying great interest in music from an early age, Adam Clayton started practicing with the acoustic guitar when he was just 13. Later on he requested his parents to buy him a bass guitar, which he said sounded a lot better and was a lot more satisfying. The U2 band, comprising 4 teenagers at that time, started practicing with Bono as the lead vocalist, Edge being the lead guitarist and Adam Clayton and Larry taking over the bass and drums. The band certainly did not have the required musical prowess when they started, but they continued with their efforts, apparently because all four had great passion for music.
After an unsuccessful stint with Paul McGuinness, the band had to wait almost a year when they finally managed to sign a long term contract with Island Records. The band released its debut album, “War”, in 1980 under the guidance of record producer, Steve Lilywhite. Their debut album featured hit singles such as the “New Year’s Day and the “Two Hearts Beat as One”. The release of “War” marked the beginning of new collaborations with Brain Eno and Daniel Lanois, an association that has withstood the test of time and continues to influence U2’s musical style and lyrical inclinations.

“The Unforgettable Fire” involved a lot more experimentations and although it featured hit singles such as the Pride (In The Name of Love), the overall reactions were a mixed bag. There was considerable backlash when “The Unforgettable Fire” was released, apparently because most U2 fans strongly believed that the band was the next big thing in rock ‘n’ roll. They were disappointed since this album featured a musical style that was mostly hip-hop.

The band, however, took to newer heights of fame and recognition with the release of “The Joshua Tree”. The album sold over 20 million copies and also won many awards including the “Album Of The Year” and “Best Rock Performance” at the 1987 Grammy Awards. It was the “The Joshua Tree” that prompted Time Magazine to feature U2 on its cover page.
“How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” was released in 2004 and it marked a drift to the old times when U2’s music was characterized by soulful instrumentals and minimal use of electronic synthesizers. The lead single featured in the album, Vertigo, won 3 Grammy Awards including one for the “Best Rock Song”.

Released in March 2009, “No Line on the Horizon”, is the latest offering from U2, featuring some great renditions that signify the combined efforts of old-timers such as Brain Eno, Danny Lanois and Steve Lillywhite. Successfully capturing the essence of rhythmic beats of Moroccan country music and western rock ‘n’ roll, this album is steadily rising up the music charts and is certainly a must have for every U2 fan.