Neither style nor subtlety has ever been U2's strong point, and image has never been one of the important things about them. But they have all -- except maybe Larry -- changed their own styles quite often, in addition to the natural process of aging.
This topic occurred to me earlier when I was looking at the sleeves for some Bootlegs from the Unforgettable Fire tour. In that 1984-1985 period, Adam Clayton suddenly looked really cool and (dare I say it?) sexy, completely transformed from his white-Afro early look; on the other hand, Edge was balding, Bono needed his hair ironed, and Larry looked.... like he always does.
So in which periods did each guy look his best/worst? My choices:
Bono: Best -- 1986-1987
Worst -- 1984-1985 (mullet + blond streaks)
Edge: Best -- 1992-1993
Worst -- 1981-1982 (dorky clothes, out-of-control hair)
Adam: Best -- 1984-1985
Worst -- 1970s in general
Larry: Best -- 1993 (I liked his 'stache and goatee)
Worst -- 2005 (that short-on-top, long-at-back thing was weird)
I remember a hilarious article from New York about U2's press conference at K-Mart to launch PopMart in 1997. The writer wrote (and I'm paraphrasing): "Bono enters, with hair shorn and a superhero shirt on with yellow glasses; The Edge has a cowboy hat, handlebar moustache and a cheesy T-shirt; Adam Clayton looks like character from a sci-fi movie with his colored hair, orange glasses and funky outfit; Larry Mullen looks... the same as he did in 1977."
This topic occurred to me earlier when I was looking at the sleeves for some Bootlegs from the Unforgettable Fire tour. In that 1984-1985 period, Adam Clayton suddenly looked really cool and (dare I say it?) sexy, completely transformed from his white-Afro early look; on the other hand, Edge was balding, Bono needed his hair ironed, and Larry looked.... like he always does.
So in which periods did each guy look his best/worst? My choices:
Bono: Best -- 1986-1987
Worst -- 1984-1985 (mullet + blond streaks)
Edge: Best -- 1992-1993
Worst -- 1981-1982 (dorky clothes, out-of-control hair)
Adam: Best -- 1984-1985
Worst -- 1970s in general
Larry: Best -- 1993 (I liked his 'stache and goatee)
Worst -- 2005 (that short-on-top, long-at-back thing was weird)
I remember a hilarious article from New York about U2's press conference at K-Mart to launch PopMart in 1997. The writer wrote (and I'm paraphrasing): "Bono enters, with hair shorn and a superhero shirt on with yellow glasses; The Edge has a cowboy hat, handlebar moustache and a cheesy T-shirt; Adam Clayton looks like character from a sci-fi movie with his colored hair, orange glasses and funky outfit; Larry Mullen looks... the same as he did in 1977."
it's funny cos it's true.
)
too hard to choose between baby Bono with his pout and fluffy hair. Jt/R&hum Bono, long hair and sleeveless vests 
or POP Bono, clipped hair and nicely buffed up 
or now with his devilish charm and confidence that only an older man can have 
BEST: JT era WORST: Pop era
BEST: JT era WORST: Pop era
BEST: tie between JT era and now WORST: blond afro
BEST: JT era (see a pattern? 
)
)
)
