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[Music] Celebrating the amazing early (up to Joshua Tree) music of U2 and Bono
- Thread starter Harry Wilson's tackle
- Start date
Worried Man Blues
Well-known member
Liked their early stuff, UBRS, October, Unforgettable and Joshua then it did become forgetable for me. In the days of record libraries.
Trufflehound
Re-enfranchised
U2 in the 'early successful days' were a force of nature and a joy to behold live. Saw them six times in 1980-81.
First time was December 1980 at the Hammersmith Palais as support to Talking Heads, and it was obvious to all there that this was an exciting young band who were about to go places.
Second time was at the Lyceum on Feb 1, 1981, by which time their star was already starting to shine. It was their first-ever 'big' headline gig in London, and a sell out with another 1,000 unlucky people left outside without tickets. Main support was The Thompson Twins, back when they were also still good, when there were still 8 of them and before all the talented ones left. For their part, U2 knew that this gig meant they'd finally 'made it' and it showed in their performance. In my 44 years of gig going I don't think I've ever seen a band look so happy and enthusiastic on stage, and that energy really rubbed off onto the crowd. Was a brilliant night.
Next occasion was that summer, back at the Hammersmith Palais, but as the headliner this time (and for what it's worth, they were supported by 'love of my life' Clare Grogan and Altered Images).
I also saw them 3 times later in 1981 on the 'October' tour, once in Cardiff (supported by Comsat Angels) and twice at the Lyceum, supported both of those times by The Alarm.
All of those six gigs were superb. The only other time I saw them live was four years later at The Longest Day in Milton Keynes. They still weren't bad, but by then the ego rot was notably setting in. The day was more memorable for me for starting my long-lasting love affair with REM, about whom I previously knew little. They easily stole the day, even though the bored hardcore U2 fans down the front were showering them with plastic bottles full of piss (allegedly, history says, for spoiling the party mood by opening their set on a downbeat rather than upbeat note - i.e. with Feeling Gravity's Pull... Go figure).
I still like most of Joshua Tree, but it just wasn't the same after that. Nevertheless, as bollocks as they are now, U2 will always have a treasured place in my heart for those early memories.
First time was December 1980 at the Hammersmith Palais as support to Talking Heads, and it was obvious to all there that this was an exciting young band who were about to go places.
Second time was at the Lyceum on Feb 1, 1981, by which time their star was already starting to shine. It was their first-ever 'big' headline gig in London, and a sell out with another 1,000 unlucky people left outside without tickets. Main support was The Thompson Twins, back when they were also still good, when there were still 8 of them and before all the talented ones left. For their part, U2 knew that this gig meant they'd finally 'made it' and it showed in their performance. In my 44 years of gig going I don't think I've ever seen a band look so happy and enthusiastic on stage, and that energy really rubbed off onto the crowd. Was a brilliant night.
Next occasion was that summer, back at the Hammersmith Palais, but as the headliner this time (and for what it's worth, they were supported by 'love of my life' Clare Grogan and Altered Images).
I also saw them 3 times later in 1981 on the 'October' tour, once in Cardiff (supported by Comsat Angels) and twice at the Lyceum, supported both of those times by The Alarm.
All of those six gigs were superb. The only other time I saw them live was four years later at The Longest Day in Milton Keynes. They still weren't bad, but by then the ego rot was notably setting in. The day was more memorable for me for starting my long-lasting love affair with REM, about whom I previously knew little. They easily stole the day, even though the bored hardcore U2 fans down the front were showering them with plastic bottles full of piss (allegedly, history says, for spoiling the party mood by opening their set on a downbeat rather than upbeat note - i.e. with Feeling Gravity's Pull... Go figure).
I still like most of Joshua Tree, but it just wasn't the same after that. Nevertheless, as bollocks as they are now, U2 will always have a treasured place in my heart for those early memories.
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- Thread starter
- #24
And when they formed in 78 and had their hits in the 80s the emergence of punk (and then U2) made them redundant.
The same holds true for RAINBOW (formed in 75), and Def Leppard (77). And I say that as someone who likes (some) Def Leppard and have seen them live. None of these bands were remotely novel or part of the cutting edge, however. U2 were.
- Thread starter
- #25
In the 90s my GF at the time wanted to see them at Wembley on the Zooropa tour. I dropped her and her mate off, went up to my old haunts in Edgware for a mooch, then picked them up later. After having previously agreed to join her for Bryan Adams, through gritted teeth, only to be rewarded some months later with 'guess what - I've got tickets for us to see him again!' I decided to be firm on this occasion. Anyway, not to spoil the mood....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bu-jwwgtBwE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XujbAGc2VEo
- Thread starter
- #26
I saw that one.
Unfortunately on my own as my mate had eaten to much black on the way there and had to go home to sleep it off.
Is it PotG?
Thrifty non-licker
pearl
Well-known member
That's what I thought. I had a free ticket to see Whitesnake at the Dome ('79/80) .... it was a great evening, great atmosphere and really friendly audience
pearl
Well-known member
Ooh it’s a corner
Well-known member
Still one of my faves
I also thought Joshua Tree was a real atmospheric album so
And for a final nail in my coffin I think Bono’s still ok!
I also thought Joshua Tree was a real atmospheric album so
And for a final nail in my coffin I think Bono’s still ok!
Icy Gull
Back on the rollercoaster
- Jul 5, 2003
- 72,015
And when they formed in 78 and had their hits in the 80s the emergence of punk (and then U2) made them redundant.
The same holds true for RAINBOW (formed in 75), and Def Leppard (77). And I say that as someone who likes (some) Def Leppard and have seen them live. None of these bands were remotely novel or part of the cutting edge, however. U2 were.
I think you should do a 60 songs that saved my life list! I’d almost be willing to lay money that I’ve never heard of any of them
bobbab5
Active member
Fignon's Ponytail
Well-known member
Huge fan of U2 and seen them at Wembley a few times now over the years. Say what you like about Bono, but they put on a bloody good show!
For those who are more into U2's old stuff, Bonos sons band Inhaler are worth a listen to...great tunes & Eli looks and sounds just like his old man.
For those who are more into U2's old stuff, Bonos sons band Inhaler are worth a listen to...great tunes & Eli looks and sounds just like his old man.
studio150
Well-known member
Do you mean Jenkinsons? I wonder how many on here were at that gig? Needs a poll
No, Top Rank 13th March 1983 supported by The Alarm
hart's shirt
Well-known member
I love most or all of the aforementioned, but from very early U2 that hasn't been already name-checked, I'll choose A Day Without Me from their first album Boy.
It's all about a person not being there any more and the impact of that through suicide, and was later dedicated to Joy Division's Ian Curtis.
The 40th anniversary of the death of Curtis will be in a week's time from today - 18th May - which also happens to be my birthday.
"Our emotions aren’t just glossy, throwaway things."
(Bono, NME, 1982)
"I started a landslide in my ego
Looked from the outside to the world I left behind
In the world I left behind
Wipe their eyes and then let go
In the world I left behind
Shed a tear and let love go..."
It's all about a person not being there any more and the impact of that through suicide, and was later dedicated to Joy Division's Ian Curtis.
The 40th anniversary of the death of Curtis will be in a week's time from today - 18th May - which also happens to be my birthday.
"Our emotions aren’t just glossy, throwaway things."
(Bono, NME, 1982)
"I started a landslide in my ego
Looked from the outside to the world I left behind
In the world I left behind
Wipe their eyes and then let go
In the world I left behind
Shed a tear and let love go..."
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And when they formed in 78 and had their hits in the 80s the emergence of punk (and then U2) made them redundant.
The same holds true for RAINBOW (formed in 75), and Def Leppard (77). And I say that as someone who likes (some) Def Leppard and have seen them live. None of these bands were remotely novel or part of the cutting edge, however. U2 were.
I have read the first line of your opening post about 4 times now and I'm still confused.
The same with the first line of this one.
sorry if I'm missing something.Are you actually saying U2 made Whitesnake redundant in the 80s?
[MENTION=34281]pearl[/MENTION] post #29 is also confused I think.
[MENTION=38333]Swansman[/MENTION] ?
AmexRuislip
Trainee Spy 🕵️♂️
CliveWalkerWingWizard
Well-known member
This ain’t bad, in fact it is