This Day in Music – U2

Born on this day 13th March 1960, in Chinnor, Oxfordshire, England, was Adam Clayton, bass, U2, (1984 UK No.3 single ‘Pride, In The Name Of Love’ plus over 25 other UK Top singles, 1987 UK and world wide No.1 album ‘The Joshua Tree’ spent 156 weeks on the UK chart. Scored five consecutive US No.1 albums from 1987.)
When Clayton was five years old, his family moved from Oxfordshire to Malahide, County Dublin, where Clayton’s brother Sebastian was born. The Clayton family became friends with the Evans family, with their sons Dik and Dave (more commonly known as The Edge), who were both in the original group, Feedback, that spawned U2.
Arguably the most successful rock band from the late 70’s, U2 formed in 1976 (first known as Feedback), after drummer Larry Mullen, Jr. a 14-year-old student at Mount Temple Comprehensive School, posted a note on the school’s notice board in search of musicians for a new band.
The Irish group won a talent show in Limerick, Ireland on Saint Patrick’s Day in 1978, with the prize of £500 and studio time to record a demo which was later heard by CBS Ireland.
U2 signed to Island records in 1980, and set about an almost continual tour of clubs and university gigs throughout the UK building up a dedicated fanbase while at the same time evolving their live performances into something special.
U2’s performance at Live Aid in 1985 in front of 82,000 fans at Wembley Stadium was a pivotal point in the band’s career. During their performance Bono leapt down off the stage to embrace and dance with a fan, showing a television audience of millions the personal connection that Bono could make with audiences.
In the same year Rolling Stone magazine called U2 the “Band of the ’80s”, resulting in America falling in love with the Irish group whose albums such as The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby have contributed to their 150 million plus record sales.
U2 have gone on to win 22 Grammy awards (from 34 nominations), more than any other band in rock history.