U2 Fan Club

An advert at school can be hailed the primary reason for the coming together of U2. These were the early days of the band. Initially the band had a total of 9 members and it cottoned onto the name “FEEDBACK”. However after the first practice the band members dwindled down to 7 members as two of the initial members left. In the year 1977 the band renamed itself “THE HYPE” and it was at this crucial time that Dik Evans was phased out as he was too old for the band.

The first breakthrough for the band came in the year 1978 when the amateur band first took part in a concert where that won L500 and a funding to record a demo album. It was at this juncture the band took on the name U2.

Their first demo tape was recorded in Keystone studios on Harcourt Street in Dublin. Their first album which was released was only for the Irish markets and they failed to rally audiences or gain any feedback from critics.

Their rise to fame and popularity started when Island studios roped in the band to perform in March 1980. Little by little, they managed to build a reputation and the turning point in their lives came when one of their renditions, “The Jam” became a hit. At that time, their music was more about energy and expression and had less to do with creating great music. Their eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth album combined techno music, rock music and electronic music. By the year 2005 the band had amassed a total of around 22 Grammys.
Lead vocalist, Bono, admits that most of the other songs too were written with a view to capture the mental conflict of the protagonist. Each song had a story to tell and the same has been achieved effectively in the lyrics, music and video created for the “No Line on the Horizon”. In its entirety, this album also captures the essence of U2’s long journey and the various transformations they have achieved in their lifetime.

While most of U2 creations have generic similarities, the band has not failed in offering something entirely new to their fans in each of their new releases. Albums released by U2 during their formative years appear to have been inspired by creations of other bands such as the Television and Joy Division. Most tracks in these albums oozed “spirited exhilaration”, resulting from the distinctive tones of Edge’s guitar works and the larger-than-life vocals done by Bono.  As a band, U2 has gone from strength to strength over the years. What’s really amazing is the fact that the band has stuck together through their failure and success and not disintegrated under pressure or because success got to their head like we’ve seen with so many other bands. That’s one very strong reason why people look up to U2. Then again there’s that fascination for all the experience they have, and their ability to never fade away into obscurity.