Discography for U2

From LoveToKnow Music

The discography for U2 is peppered with some of the best loved and biggest selling albums of all times. The band, which has been releasing records for almost three decades now, has managed to churn out the hits time and time again.

U2 – A Brief History

U2 got its start in Dublin, Ireland, in 1976. The band was the brain child of Larry Mullen Jr., a drummer who at that time was a mere 14 years old. He posted a flyer at his school advertising for band members. After a few fits and starts, a few different band names (including Feedback and The Hype), and a few members moving out of the ranks, the band finally settled on the name U2 and the four members who, incredibly, still make up the band today. They are:

Bono (real name Paul Hewson)
The Edge (real name Dave Evans)
Adam Clayton
Larry Mullen, Jr.

In 1978, the first big break came for the new band. They won a talent competition, and with it $500 for studio time. They used the money to record a demo, which they shopped around to managers and the music media, eventually landing a management deal with Paul McGuiness, who also remarkably is still their manager today. McGuiness worked with CBS Records to release an EP and an album, but these were only for the Irish market, where the band was experiencing some chart success.

A trio of albums in 1980 – 1983 turned U2 into household names in Europe and led to in-roads in the American market as well. During this time, the band began to develop political themes that would they would return to again and again on future releases. Each release was a bit more critically acclaimed than the one before it, and each album pushed the band further into the public consciousness.

Since then, the band has gone from strength to strength, and they’ve yet to have an unsuccessful album. But with U2, part of the story is always about the live shows. Since their early years, the band has built arena shows that go beyond music to theatrics and striking special effects. Their Popmart tour and Zoo TV tour are some of the most expensive concert productions ever staged, although the fans greeted them with mixed results.

Political Activism

If huge stage productions scream U2, then political activism certainly does as well, especially when it comes to singer Bono. Bono has shared stages with economists and politicians as he works on anti-poverty and pacifism campaigns. He was one of the spearheading forces behind the Red campaign, through which major manufactures donate profits from “Red” brand items to anti-poverty charities. Although not all of Bono’s plans get the thumbs up in academic circles, there is no denying that his star power is a great tool for bringing attention to social issues.