Will Larry Return to U2?

[CedarwoodAWT]

I’m new here, but been a serious fan since 1984.

Sorry if this subject is overcooked already.

I did a search for threads on Larry about this and didn’t see one, but I’m sure it’s possible I missed it.

Anyway - do you all think Larry will come back and play with U2 on their next album - or do you think he is done with the band?

 

[lazarus]

There are already reports that he's been recording with the band?

 

[ascender_RS]

I had the misfortune of getting an update from some random u2 group on FB where they were discussing "news" that Bram wasn't returning to his band which was because he was going to be joining U2. Of course there was no substance to this and given Larry recorded Atomic City, was at the last show and has not said anything at all about quitting, I think we can file the rumours under BS.

 

[womanfish]

I think Larry is/will be back. Definitely for recording, but the question is more about touring.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

I think the assumption should be that Larry will be back up until the point where we hear otherwise.

I also don't think anyone should be completely floored if he isn't.

 

[DeVaul]

He wants to be able to drum. I think he wants to be able to drum in his band. I don’t know if he wants to tour into his 70s. I believe Bram and the Sphere might’ve opened up some ideas for their future. I hope the original lineup is around making music together for a good while longer.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

He wants to be able to drum. I think he wants to be able to drum in his band. I don’t know if he wants to tour into his 70s. I believe Bram and the Sphere might’ve opened up some ideas for their future. I hope the original lineup is around making music together for a good while longer.

I feel there's some truth to the idea that Larry does the studio work and Bram does the live work.

 

[DeVaul]

I feel there's some truth to the idea that Larry does the studio work and Bram does the live work.

I’d be ok with this if it means more recording and touring.

 

[cobl04]

I'd prefer Bram for both

 

[DaveC]

As a Canadian, I've always believed Larry isn't just a country - he's an idea, one the whole world has a stake in.

 

[cobl04]

Jesus, Larry, Muhammed, it's true. All sons. of Abraham.

 

[ascender_RS]

Yeah, sorry, I know we've done this subject to death in various threads so didn't really want to go over old ground.

I guess we should know the answer soon enough - studio Larry and live Bram might be the best fit for everyone though.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Yeah, sorry, I know we've done this subject to death in various threads so didn't really want to go over old ground.

I guess we should know the answer soon enough - studio Larry and live Bram might be the best fit for everyone though.

Subjects discussed to death are an interference tradition. As is Laz complaining about it

Unless it's LAKERS.

 

[djerdap]

I feel there's some truth to the idea that Larry does the studio work and Bram does the live work.

I can see this happening.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

I think if Larry could only do studio recordings he just wouldn't want to be half in. Sadly they're nearing the end of their career as a band (makes me so melancholy to even type that) so maybe for that reason he would agree to that.

If they're like the Rolling Stones and still touring in their 80's I don't see Larry doing that. Unless he's the designated guy who wheels Bono out onto the stage on a dolly

Maybe they could AI generate Larry for tours. Hologram Larry

 

[U2girl]

I feel there's some truth to the idea that Larry does the studio work and Bram does the live work.

The point of the surgeries is so he can go on playing which includes touring. If he cant tour they will quit.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

The point of the surgeries is so he can go on playing which includes touring. If he cant tour they will quit.

Like they wouldn't play the Sphere without him?

 

[Salome]

Of course doing Sphere was for a big part about U2 being the first to do so.
But it's hard not to view the Sphere run as the 4 of them getting some sort of feel if U2 would still work as a live band without Larry.

 

[cobl04]

Lmao there's not a fucking chance they'll quit

 

[djerdap]

Of course doing Sphere was for a big part about U2 being the first to do so.
But it's hard not to view the Sphere run as the 4 of them getting some sort of feel if U2 would still work as a live band without Larry.

Considering the rapport and chemistry they have created with Bram, not to mention the sheer amount of mutual fun that was clearly visible at the Sphere shows, I think they have this in their minds as a long-term plan B.

 

[ascender_RS]

Considering the rapport and chemistry they have created with Bram, not to mention the sheer amount of mutual fun that was clearly visible at the Sphere shows, I think they have this in their minds as a long-term plan B.

That's the thing, to play those shows with Bram must have been a massive thing for them to even consider. Presuming they all got on personally (which I think is a fair assumption as for the most part they seemed to be having a blast and were very relaxed) and clearly professionally it worked as they sounded great, maybe it is now an option if Larry doesn't want to tour or can't play live the way he used to be able to.

 

[TinKnight]

Based on nothing but gut feelings, I think Larry is ready to move on from the U2 phase of his life.

I believe that Larry has recorded with the band. I even could see him going on tour for one final hurrah (health willing), but I don't expect more than that.

I would say that would also be the end of U2 as a whole, but I think the rest are so bought into the U2 mythos at this point that they will keep going as long as Bono can still sing.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

Based on nothing but gut feelings, I think Larry is ready to move on from the U2 phase of his life.

I believe that Larry has recorded with the band. I even could see him going on tour for one final hurrah (health willing), but I don't expect more than that.

I would say that would also be the end of U2 as a whole, but I think the rest are so bought into the U2 mythos at this point that they will keep going as long as Bono can still sing.

Which, to be honest, isn't that much longer.

Also Adam has a divorce to pay for so it's time for a world tour

 

[TinKnight]

I don't think Bono is above technical trickery to get his voice back. I think I'm in the minority here, but I thought he sounded pretty awful at the Sphere shows.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

i thought he sounded like old bono.

he'll never sound like the ZooTV bono again - but i think he sounded good for what he's capable of now.

the people who say "erhmagard he soonds butter den uver" are stupid. he doesn't and will never sound like that again... but he wasn't, say, jon bon jovi levels of awful.

 

[Irvine511]

i thought he sounded like old bono.

he'll never sound like the ZooTV bono again - but i think he sounded good for what he's capable of now.

the people who say "erhmagard he soonds butter den uver" are stupid. he doesn't and will never sound like that again... but he wasn't, say, jon bon jovi levels of awful.

counterpoint: he sounded quite amazing at The Beacon. the fullness of his youth is gone, but could he have sung Torna a Surriento like that at 27?

poor jon bon. it is rough.

 

[MrsSpringsteen]

It's just a fact of life, singing voices change and decline in quality with age. There are other factors such as health issues, how much you take care of your voice, smoking, and more- but you can only control those so much too. I would never say that he sounded "awful ' at Sphere, not to me.

Felt badly reading that Adam is getting divorced, but of course sometimes that is for the best. I know it was just a joke, but there must be an ironclad prenup plus he has all the money in the world for lawyers and his ex wife if that happens.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

counterpoint: he sounded quite amazing at The Beacon. the fullness of his youth is gone, but could he have sung Torna a Surriento like that at 27?

poor jon bon. it is rough.

Oh I think he sounds great for his age.

I just think it's not close to his peak, nor should any rational person expect it to be

 

[Salome]

Since his vocal peak was somewhere late 80s, I feel it's safe to say his very best days as a singer are behind him.
We should just be happy he sounds better than he did late 90s.
That must have been a rough decade.

 

[Headache in a Suitcase]

late 80s / early 90s. had a momentary rebound around Vertigo Tour and 360 - not as good as the peak but a solid second bump after the issues around the Pop era, and it's been all age related decreases from there. obviously something that everyone goes through and should be expected.

compared to some other artists of a similar age he sounds downright dreamy.

guys like jagger, springsteen and vedder can remain powerful because they've never even attempted to hit the notes that Bono used to hit on the regular. the overwhelming majority sound like shit.