Home » History » Irish History » Ireland's Famous Rock Band

Ireland's Famous Rock Band

© Lianne

In 1976, a young teen in Dublin, Ireland wanted to start his own band. He played the drums, had taken some music theory, and wanted to do something with it. Encouraged by his father, he posted a notice on his high school bulletin board calling for other musicians to join him.

Several young men answered the notice; a bass player by the name of Adam Clayton, followed by David Evans and his brother, Dic on guitar, and Paul Hewson who also applied for the guitarist position. They got together and called themselves "Feedback".

If someone had told Larry Mullen, Jr. at that time that the band he had started would be successful, he might even have believed it. But I doubt if he realized just how successful his young band would become. Of course, I'm talking about U2, one of the world's top bands today.

October 2000 saw the release of U2's 11th album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. The following February, 2001, lead singer, Bono, announced at a concert that U2 was "reapplying for their old job as best band in the world." And well they might already have gained back that title.

But theirs was not an overnight success. As anyone in the music business will tell you, everyone has to pay their dues. You've got to start at the bottom and work your way up.

U2 underwent some changes over the next two years from their beginnings in ‘76. Paul Hewson, who rather than play guitar became lead singer, was renamed Bono. Reportedly because of the shape of his chin, Dave Evans became known as The Edge.

In 1978, going by the name "The Hype" the band entered a music competition in Limerick. They won, receiving £500 and studio time to record. What caught the attention of the judges was not that they played well. In fact, one judge said they weren't all that good. But they were different, and they had an incredible stage presence. That factor, a key element of their success, remains unchanged to this day.

Around this time, they met up with Steve Averill, a well known name in the Punk rock circles. He suggest a new name. U2. The name stuck. Dic Evans left the group, and the U2 foursome were on their way to the top.

Bill Graham, a local journalist, agreed to check them out. He sat in on the recording session U2 had won. The session didn't go all that well, he claims, but Graham had the vision to see beyond their inexperience, and featured them in his column anyway. This gave them good exposure to the general public.

The copyright of the article Ireland's Famous Rock Band in Irish History is owned by Lianne. Permission to republish Ireland's Famous Rock Band in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.