U2

**U2** is a rock band from Ireland. The four members of the band are lead singer Bono (born _Paul David Hewson_), lead guitarist The Edge (born _David Howell Evans_), bassist Adam Clayton, and drummer Larry Mullen Jr. and formerly dik Evans U2 are a very popular band all over the world and have been since the 1980s. They have sold more than 170 million albums and have won 22 Grammy Awards. This is more than any other rock band.

U2 formed in Dublin in 1976, when none of the members were very good musicians. However, they got better as they got older. They were more popular for playing live shows than for releasing albums. This changed with their hit record in 1987, _The Joshua Tree_. In 1991, U2 released a new album called _Achtung Baby_. This album sounded very different from their other albums because it was inspired by alternative rock and dance music. _Achtung Baby_ and its worldwide Zoo TV Tour were both very popular. U2 experimented for the rest of the 1990s, making two other very different albums, _Zooropa_ and _Pop_.

In the 21st century, U2 returned to a more traditional sound, but they continue to be very popular and successful. They are involved in charities and helping people with groups such as Amnesty International, Make Poverty History, the ONE Campaign, Live Aid, Live 8, Bono's DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa) campaign, and Music Rising.

In 2014, the group won a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for their song _Ordinary Love_ which was used in the movie _Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom_.

### Formation (1976-1979)

U2 was formed in the city of Dublin, Ireland on September 25, 1976. It was founded by 14-year-old drummer Larry Mullen Jr. He posted a note on his school's notice board, asking for musicians to create a new band. There were seven teenage boys who went to their first practice. At first, the band called themselves "Feedback" but later changed their name to "The Hype". The band became smaller over time, eventually becoming just four people, and they finally changed their name to "U2" once Bono, The Edge, Clayton, and Mullen were left.

## Musical style and influences

U2's music has been described as alternative rock, arena rock, art rock, pop rock, and post-punk. U2's influences include Brian Eno, Joy Division, Television, Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Roxy Music, The Beatles, The Undertones, Roy Orbison, Marc Bolan, David Bowie, Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Who, Thin Lizzy, Patti Smith, The Jam, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison and Lee Clayton.

## Albums

- _Boy_ (1980)
- _October_ (1981)
- _War_ (1983)
- _The Unforgettable Fire_ (1984)
- _The Joshua Tree_ (1987)
- _Rattle and Hum_ (1988)
- _Achtung Baby_ (1991)
- _Zooropa_ (1993)
- _Pop_ (1997)
- _All That You Can't Leave Behind_ (2000)
- _How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb_ (2004)
- _No Line on the Horizon_ (2009)
- _Songs of Innocence_ (2014)
- _Songs of Experience_ (2017)
- _Songs of Surrender_ (2023)

## Other websites

- U2 official website

## Infobox (musical artist)

- **name**: U2
- **image**: U2 on Joshua Tree Tour 2017 Brussels 8-1-17.jpg
- **caption**: U2 performing in August 2017, from left to right: Larry Mullen Jr.; The Edge; Bono; Adam Clayton
- **landscape**: yes
- **background**: Band
- **origin**: Dublin, Ireland
- **years active**: 1976–present
- **associated acts**: Virgin Prunes, Original Soundtracks 1, Passengers
- **current members**: * Bono
* The Edge
* Adam Clayton
* Larry Mullen Jr.