Top Of The Box

U2 - Pop Muzik, 1997

In 1976, aged 14 Larry Mullen Jr placed an advert on his school notice board for musicians to join his band. Auditions took place in the Mullen family’s kitchen, and as Mullen says, for about ten minutes it was The Larry Mullen Band. That was until Paul Hewson joined the band as singer.

The band originally consisted of , Paul Hewson (Bono) on vocals, Dave Evans (The Edge) and his brother Dik Evans on guitar, Adam Clayton on bass guitar, and initially Ivan McCormick and Peter Martin, two other friends of Mullen. They called themselves Feedback.

By 1977 they were a five piece and had changed their name to The Hype, and sometime in 1978 Dik apparently stormed off stage and U2 were born. Since then U2 have become possibly the biggest rock band in the world.

I remember in 1981 a couple of friends urging me to go and see them live at The Marquee. Apparently they put on a great show even then. But I never did go to see them. Instead I chose to see Southern Death Cult support Bauhaus at The Lyceum – great gig!

U2’s first appearance on national television was on The Old Grey Whistle performing an early single, I Will Follow. But it was their appearance at the Live Aid Concert at Wembley Stadium where their powerful performance propelled them to dizzy heights; and overnight they had turned into a global stadium-filling rock band.

I have always believed their first three albums, Boy (1980), October (1981) and War (1983), were let down by poor production. Steve Lillywhite was never able to capture the powerful energy of their live shows. But when Brian Eno was drafted in to produce The Unforgettable Fire (1984), the result was simple – U2 had arrived!

The Joshua Tree followed in 1987 and the live album and film, Rattle & Hum (1988). Unprecedented world tours and albums followed – Achtung Baby (1991), Zooropa (1993); and in 1997 U2 released their most experimental album, Pop (1997). Influenced by dance music, this album had more to do with Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen. They were also influenced by friend and house music DJ Howie B, who supported the band on the accompanying Pop Mart World Tour.

When I saw a clip of the U.S. leg of the live show I was, for the second time in my life tempted to go and see U2 live. It looked awesome, and being there looked like it would be a night to remember. Unfortunately, once again, I never go to see U2 live. And for a second time, it looks liked I missed what would have been a live experience that would never be forgotten.

Since then, U2 have released two further albums, All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000) and How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (2004).

The Edge, Bono, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jr are touring again this year, and you can buy U2 Tickets from Viagogo. But for me, I think seeing U2 on the Pop Mart Tour would have been amazing.

Here’s a video with excerpts from the Pop Mart Tour of U2 performing their superb version of M’s Pop Muzik.

UK Live Music

There are music festivals and live shows all this summer.  James Tickets are available from Viagogo as well Nickelback Tickets and many more.