U2

U2 is a four-piece band from Dublin, Ireland. The band have been together since 1976, and have achieved international fame from a variety of musical styles explored throughout their recording career.

U2's members are lead singer Bono (real name Paul Hewson), guitarist The Edge (real name David Evans), bassist Adam Clayton and drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. The line-up has remained the same since the band formed.

The band are known for musical experimentation and for their distinctive sound. U2 have released 12 studio albums to date, and sold more than 140 million records. As a band, and as individuals, U2 have championned human rights and social change campaigns including Amnesty International, the ONE campaign and DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa).

Band History

The band initially came together when drummer Larry Mullen put up an advert at school for musicians to start a band. All of the future members of the band were present along with some other hopefuls, including The Edge's brother, Dik Evans.

This early incarnation was known as 'The Hype', but when they reduced down to a four-piece, they changed the name to U2. The name was one of six suggestions from Clayton's family friend Steve Averill, and the one the band disliked the least.

In May 1978, the band took on Paul McGuinness as their manager, and released an EP and a single in the Irish pop market which were successful.

U2 were eventually signed to Island Records in March 1980, and their debut album, Boy was released in October that year. The band had their first hit single in the UK with the single I Will Follow. The follow-up album, October was released in 1981, but was less successful and put pressure on the band to up their game.

The band released their third album, War in 1983. The album included the singles Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Years Day. The album was a huge commercial success for U2, and New Years Day was their first hit outside of the UK or Ireland.

In 1984, the band renewed and renegotiated their contract with Island Records, regaining the copyright to their songs and and increase in royalties. They released their fourth album in the same year, The Unforgettable Fire. The album marked a shift in musical style, brought about by their collaboration with Brian Eno and his engineer Daniel Lanois.

Singles from The Unforgettable Fire included Bad and Pride (In The Name Of Love).

In July 1985, U2 performed at the Live Aid concert in Wembley Stadium. Their involvement in the concert marked a pivotal point in their career. For their next album, the band worked on evolving the sounds from The Unforgettable Fire and explored more roots music. At the same time, Bono was experiencing first hand the suffering of people in countries where American political intervention.

Discography

Studio Albums by U2

The following is a chronological list of the studio albums by U2.