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What better way to start than with the massive U2. And what a band, or should that title really be Supergroup? With multi-platinum albums, a catalogue of successful singles, major sell-out tours, and now lucrative contracts with Apple and Ipod, they are certainly one of the most successful and influential groups of the last 20 years. But above all, a great rock band that shook the 1980s, took control of the 90s, and are still a powerful voice in the new millennium.

Biography

1976 - Formed in Dublin, Ireland: Drummer Larry Mullen put up a wanted note for band members at the local Mount Temple Comprehensive School. Four members joined up; Paul Hewson, (Bono), Dave Evans, (the Edge), Dik Evans, and Adam Clayton. Dik soon left, and the remaining four went on named firstly as "Feedback", then "The Hype", before finally settling with the name "U2".

1978 - The band won a St. Patrick's day talent contest in Limerick. One of the judges was Jackie Heyden of CBS Records, who was impressed by the four, and arranged for their first demo session. U2 soon built up a dedicated following, and one fan was Bill Graham, a journalist with music circulation "Hot Press". He, in turn, introduced them to their manager, Paul McGuinness. A three-year record contract with CBS then followed.

1979 - U2 had their first release with the EP titled, "U2:3", comprising of the songs "Out of Control", (which reached number one in the Irish charts), "Boy/Girl", and "Stories for Boys". A second single followed with "Another Day". This was also an Irish number one. Their first UK singles were "11 O'clock Tick Tock", produced by Martin Hannett, which was well received but failed to chart. Two further singles, "A Day Without Me" and "I Will Follow", also did not do as well as expected.

1980 - The band signed for Island Records, and with the band touring full time, they also recorded their first album in October that year, titled , "Boy", and produced by Steve Lillywhite. The album was a success, and a year later the album "October" was released.

1983 - With the release of the album "War", and top ten UK single "New Year's Day", U2 were now well on the road to major success. The album dealt with religion and political topics, and included the song "Sunday, Bloody, Sunday". They toured the US and Europe, and recorded the mini live LP, "Under A Blood Red Sky" which reached number 2 in the UK and position 28 in the US .

1984 - With the release of "Unforgettable Fire", and the collaboration with Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois, the band's music took a more complex turn, with the excellent single "Pride, (in the name of love)", and the titled track. The mini LP "Wide Awake in America" was also released this year, which comprised of 2 new tracks "The Three Sunrises", and "Love Comes Tumbling". And 2 live recordings "Bad", and "A sort of Homecoming", from the European tour. They also played in the Summer Live Aid concert at Wembley Stadium in London.

1987 - March saw the release of the tremendous "Joshua Tree", again with producers Eno/Lanois. This became the fastest selling UK album ever, and reached the number one spot in 22 countries! The album spawned singles , "Where the streets have no name", and "With Or Without You" and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", which both reached number 1 in the US charts. With a sell-out tour of over 100 shows, the band had reached major success. During the tour the band decided to put together a documentary style film, which would include the band's thoughts about touring and the US.

1988 - Filmed chiefly in Denver Colorado and Tempe Arizona, the resulting movie "Rattle and Hum", and the LP of the same name were released in October. The single "Desire" gave U2 their first UK number one single. "When Love Comes to Town" also featured blues legend BB King, who joined U2 on the Love Town tour in Australia, New Zealand and Japan.

1991 - With the release of "Actung Baby", in November, the band's music again took another turn. More extravagant and electronic, with a massive effects tour named "Zoo TV". The tour was a parody of the ideals of media control and promotion, performed towards a sometimes overwhelmed audience. Bono even had the audacity to call the US president, ( then Bill Clinton), direct from the stage! - needless to say, he did not get to speak to him. Again, there were three great singles from this album, "Even Better Than The Real Thing", "Mysterious Ways", and the timeless ballad "One".

1993 - "Zooropa" was released in July that year. It followed with the same themes as the previous album, but was less successful than "Actung Baby", (and how could they possibly beat that anyhow?). A more subdued album, but held with the previous ideas around commercialism. The album also featured one of the band's favourite artists, country and blues singer Johnny Cash, who sings on the track, "The wanderer". Interestingly, Johnny Cash also went on to release his own version of U2's "One".

1997 - With a four year break, and collaborations with other projects, including the movie "Batman Forever", and the title song for James Bond movie "Goldeneye", U2 returned in March, with the release of "Pop". With yet another massive tour and the largest video screens to date, computer generated animation's, (CGA), and a giant rotating lemon? The band were pushing the ideals of music and the control of commercialism. With glitter suits and platform shoes, Bono's portrayal of stardom, was strutting success and demanding fanzine worship. Again critics and audience alike were not so sure. Was this all a little too much? or just ahead of it's time?

1998 - October saw the release of a re-recorded b side, "The Sweetest Thing", which reached number 3 in the UK.

2000 - With the new millennium saw the release in March of U2's first "Best of" album, and later that year the album "All That You Can't Leave Behind", again in October. With the single "Beautiful Day", topping the UK charts straight in at number one, and winning three Grammy Awards, including Song Of The Year. "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of", was also released as a single. This album style was more a return to "basics", and the earlier days of U2 music. The album reached number one in UK, and U2 went on to win four more Grammy Awards, including Best Rock Album and Record Of The Year.

2001 - The "Elevation tour", started in US and Europe

Links

Official U2 website

U2 ipod(Apple)