#13 U2

U2 formed in Dublin while still in their teens. They emerged during the New Wave era and really did not seem all that different from other Euro New Wave acts. However, they soon began to distinguish themselves. By 1983, they were clearly superior to their New Wave contemporaries. They added credibility and depth with hits such as "New Years Day" and "Sunday Bloody Sunday". They continued their socially conscious brand of rock with The Unforgettable Fire which was an ode to Martin Luther King Jr.

U2 were stars by the mid-80s. In 1987, they became superstars when they released The Joshua Tree which was a concept album inspired by America. The album scored a number of hits; some of which criticized modern materialism. Stardom seemed to trouble the band. Despite this, they filmed a movie. Rattle and Hum was perceived to be nothing more than an ego-fest and seriously annoyed fans. After the tour, the band went into hiding.

They re-emerged in Berlin and seemed to see where the music biz was going. They reworked their sound and incorporated electronic and alternative influences into their music. Actung Baby is now considered classic. The album included the song, "One", which documents the band’s near breakup. The band also mocked the materialistic lifestyle by embracing it through satire. They invented the modern large-scale concert event with their Zoo TV Tour and continued it through the decade. By the end of the 90s, the band scared fans away by overdoing the satire and appearing as The Village People in the video for "Discotheque". Additionally, their Pop Mart Tour was a money pit.

After the Village People/Pop Mart fiascos, the band returned to its roots. They released two monster albums and were the biggest band in the world for the third time. They began to rack up the awards once more, were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and played the Superbowl. In 2009, they released No Line On the Horizon which incorporates Middle Eastern influences and The Edge filmed a movie with Jimmie Page and Jack White.

Throughout their career, U2 have been activists for various causes. In recent years, Bono has campaigned for Third World Debt Relief and launched his One Campaign to help achieve this goal. In 2005, he organized the Live 8 Concerts to bring the cause to the attention of the world.

Rock n Roll Moment: During the Pop Mart Tour, they got stuck in a giant electronic lemon ala Spinal Tap.

Essential U2:

War (1983)
The Unforgettable Fire (1984)
The Joshua Tree (1987)
Achtung Baby (1991)
All That You Can’t Leave Behind (2000)
How to Dismantle and Atomic Bomb (2004)

U2’s Top 10:

I Will Follow
Sunday Bloody Sunday
New Year’s Day
Bad
Pride (In the Name of Love)
With or Without You
I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
Where the Streets Have No Name
Beautiful Day
Mysterious Ways