STACK #158 Dec 2017

MUSIC FEATURE

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and deliberately rockier than the popular synth-pop of the era, War cements the U2 sound and prompts the band’s first profitable world tour. October 1984 The Unforgettable Fire is released, co-produced by Brian Eno and proffering a more ambient, experimental sound. The album includes the super successful single Pride ( In The Name Of Love ). July 1985 Along with The Boomtown Rats, Elvis Costello, Sting, Phil Collins, Queen, David Bowie, The Who, Elton John, Paul McCartney and more, U2 participate in the Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium for Ethiopian famine relief. At one point in the band’s set, Bono leaps off-stage to dance with a fan (one of 72,000 people at the show). March 1987 U2 release The Joshua Tree . Inspired by exploration into blues, folk, and gospel as well as the band’s friendships with Keith Richards, Bob Dylan and fellow Irishman Van Morrison. Its themes spring from Bono’s travels to San Salvador and Nicaragua, where he saw the poverty caused by civil conflicts and US political intervention. The album goes to #1 in more than 20 countries, wins the band two Grammy Awards, and spawns the enduring classics With Or Without You and I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For . October 1988 The group release Rattle And Hum , a tribute to American roots music. It receives some critical backlash in the US, so the band elect not to play at any North American venues during the ensuing tour. The album still goes to #1 worldwide. November 1991 manifesto about the pervasive nature of commercialism and the fearmongering of big news, Achtung Baby incorporated alt- rock, industrial dance and hip hop into what is now heralded as one of rock’s most important albums. The band release Achtung Baby . A sprawling, ironical

Feb 1992 – Dec 1993 The Zoo TV tour (in support of Achtung Baby ) is an enormous multimedia extravaganza, intentionally designed to overwhelm the audience. Amongst chaotic visuals and live satellite feeds to Sarajevo, Bono performs as several different sardonic characters including the rockstar egomaniac ‘The Fly’ (above) and the diabolical televangelist ‘Mirror Ball Man.’ It’s the highest grossing North American tour of 1992. May 1995 The band emerge from a long period of quiet with the single Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me , which appears on the soundtrack to the Val Kilmer/Nicole Kidman/Jim Carrey film Batman Forever. It’s an enormous hit across the globe. March 1997 After struggling to complete material and delaying its release twice, U2 drop their ninth studio reaches #1 in many countries. Its accompanying tour features the band’s most extravagant, satirical, anti-consumerist sets ever. On September 23 they bring the show to Sarajevo, becoming the first major act to stage a concert in the city after the Bosnian War. Bono later describes the performance as “one of the toughest and one of the sweetest nights of [his] life.” November 1998 U2 release The Best of 1980-1990 , which includes a re-recording of a album, Pop . Its heavy dance feel divides critics but it still

Over the course of more than 40 years, four Irish men have crafted a multi-faceted pedestal for themselves in the museum of rock. Here's the story of U2. Words Zoë Radas

25 September, 1976 Fourteen-year-old Larry Mullen, Jr posts a bulletin on his high school’s notice board looking for musicians to start a band. Six people respond, including Paul Hewson, David Evans, and Evans’ friend Adam Clayton. The seven- piece learn covers of emerging punk acts like the Clash and Sex Pistols. March 1978 The band change their name to U2, win a talent contest in Limerick and slim down to a four-piece: Hewson (Bono), Evans (The Edge), Clayton and Mullen Jr. July 1978 The group meet Paul McGuiness, who agrees to be their manager. He books demo sessions and performances across Ireland for the blossoming rockers, who are beginning to find their sound. September 1979 U2 release the EP U2-3 on 12 inch vinyl, which sells out its 1000-print run straight away. February 1980 U2 play at the National Stadium in Dublin; it’s a 2000 capacity venue and a big risk, but pays off when an A&R rep for Island Records attends and signs the band.

October 1980 U2 release their first album Boy , which gets tentatively positive reviews from critics. It charts well in the UK and the US and the band goes on a tour of Europe and the US; their unpolished but energetic performances garner more critical attention. October 1981 The band’s second album October is released. Centred around spiritual themes, it doesn’t chart particularly well although it produces their first MTV-played clip and a relatively successful tour.

February 1983 U2 release their third album War . Politically-themed

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