U2

In 1976, Larry Mullen was a drummer looking for a band.  He posted a note at Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland.  Four people answered the call:  Paul Hewson (aka Bono Vox), Dave Evans (aka The Edge), Dik Evans, and Adam Clayton. Soon after, however, Dik left to join the Virgin Prunes.  The remaining four members formed “Feedback,” then briefly changed their name to “The Hype,” then finally became the band that we know today as U2. The band began recording a demo in 1978 after being noticed by a record company.  The record was not as exceptional as we know the group to be today, mostly due to their lack of inexperience.  Their first record was released in September of 1979.  They spent 1980 touring.  “War,” one of their best albums, was released in 1983 and entered the charts in England at number one; this was where U2 really began to take off.  Over the years, U2 has released twenty amazing albums.  Each is comprised not only of chart-topping hits, but the kind of influential, staying-power that lets everyone know just how long they’re going to be around.  U2 is one of the most popular and prolific bands in the world today.  Their music and their actions are inspirational.  This is a band that not only cares about letting the world know about their music, they care about trying to help the world.  Bono has been given the Freedom Award (from the National Civil Rights Museum) for work he has done with Live Aid and for raising funds to fight AIDS.  U2 has won 14 Grammy awards over the years.  

The album “War” includes one of my favorite tracks, “Sunday Bloody Sunday.”  This song is like a battle cry for a war against the injustice and poverty in the world.  It argues that millions of people are dying as the rest of us sit and enjoy our lives.  The lyrics speak for themselves but the music that accompanies matches it in a poignant and powerful way.

Reference: http://www.threechordsandthetruth.net/u2bios/
http://www.mtv.com/bands/az/u2/bio.jhtml