Elvis
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
by Whitney Leigh Harris
In January 1978, a small ad appeared in New Music Express boasting a band called The Hype. Turns out it was the clever stunt of a young bassist named Adam Clayton who wanted to stir up some attention for his band. However, his band would not lack for attention much longer - and their name would soon change as well.
Now, 25 years later, NME has devoted an entire issue to the little band from Dublin, whom the magazine embraced before there was a record deal, before they took over the world as U2. NME followed U2 throughout each phase of their development and transformation, making this issue a must-have for anyone who loves the band, no matter when they fell for them.
For fans that did not discover U2 until late in the game, this is an opportunity to journey back in time to understand their beginning and to witness the blossoming of something very special. It is a chance to gain insight into the motivations underlying Bono?s lyrics, and to develop a deeper awareness of the band?s perspective on the music business, Christianity, and the problems facing the world. From buzzed post-gig interviews in dusty pubs, to a surreal journey through the Zoo TV tour, NME journalists gained intimate access into U2?s world. This latest issue, which consists of 147 pages of interviews, reviews, articles, and photographs (1978 to 2001), focuses predominately on U2?s journeys between the milestones.
As several articles reveal, U2?s journey was not all glory, perfection, and mass adoration. They faced personal failures and bouts of profound uncertainty, not to mention audiences and critics who just didn?t get it, or didn?t care. But what remained ever-present within U2, something that even the harshest critics could not ignore, was their underlying passion and their sincere desire to move their audience. For those fans that believe U2 developed into ?a band with a heart,? after reading these early interviews, you will realize that U2 always had a heart. This is what propelled them. This was their core. As Bono stated in an NME interview on February 14, 1981, ?I believe we built U2 around a spark.? And this spark has sustained them throughout it all.
To witness some of the band?s moments of darkness, when all they had was their faith -during that fragile crux of time when a band either triumphs or disintegrates - is amazing, moving, and, for the heartfelt U2 fan, an experience not to be missed.
Perhaps you were too young to experience the debut of Boy, or you lost track of the band somewhere between The Joshua Tree and All That You Can?t Leave Behind, or maybe you have been there every step of the way. Whatever your history as a U2 fan, this is your opportunity to become re-acquainted, tie up some loose ends, or simply relive it all over again. Enjoy!
In January 1978, a small ad appeared in New Music Express boasting a band called The Hype. Turns out it was the clever stunt of a young bassist named Adam Clayton who wanted to stir up some attention for his band. However, his band would not lack for attention much longer - and their name would soon change as well.
Now, 25 years later, NME has devoted an entire issue to the little band from Dublin, whom the magazine embraced before there was a record deal, before they took over the world as U2. NME followed U2 throughout each phase of their development and transformation, making this issue a must-have for anyone who loves the band, no matter when they fell for them.
For fans that did not discover U2 until late in the game, this is an opportunity to journey back in time to understand their beginning and to witness the blossoming of something very special. It is a chance to gain insight into the motivations underlying Bono?s lyrics, and to develop a deeper awareness of the band?s perspective on the music business, Christianity, and the problems facing the world. From buzzed post-gig interviews in dusty pubs, to a surreal journey through the Zoo TV tour, NME journalists gained intimate access into U2?s world. This latest issue, which consists of 147 pages of interviews, reviews, articles, and photographs (1978 to 2001), focuses predominately on U2?s journeys between the milestones.
As several articles reveal, U2?s journey was not all glory, perfection, and mass adoration. They faced personal failures and bouts of profound uncertainty, not to mention audiences and critics who just didn?t get it, or didn?t care. But what remained ever-present within U2, something that even the harshest critics could not ignore, was their underlying passion and their sincere desire to move their audience. For those fans that believe U2 developed into ?a band with a heart,? after reading these early interviews, you will realize that U2 always had a heart. This is what propelled them. This was their core. As Bono stated in an NME interview on February 14, 1981, ?I believe we built U2 around a spark.? And this spark has sustained them throughout it all.
To witness some of the band?s moments of darkness, when all they had was their faith -during that fragile crux of time when a band either triumphs or disintegrates - is amazing, moving, and, for the heartfelt U2 fan, an experience not to be missed.
Perhaps you were too young to experience the debut of Boy, or you lost track of the band somewhere between The Joshua Tree and All That You Can?t Leave Behind, or maybe you have been there every step of the way. Whatever your history as a U2 fan, this is your opportunity to become re-acquainted, tie up some loose ends, or simply relive it all over again. Enjoy!
