U2 FAQ: Anything You'd Ever Want to Know About the Biggest Band in the World...And More!

by John D. Luerssen

Overview

(FAQ). Few would dispute U2's position as the biggest rock band in the world. Active and relevant for nearly thirty-five years, Bono, the Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen, Jr. have been masters of reinvention, thriving artistically while continuing to sell out concerts across the globe. From their start at Dublin's Mount Temple School in 1976 up to the 2009 Rose Bowl show that shattered a U.S. concert attendance record (previously set by the group in 1987), U2's members have experienced some amazing collective highs. But in its ascent, the band has seen its share of personal, artistic, and commercial setbacks. These are just some of the topics U2 FAQ explores: How did Bono recover his cherished suitcase of lyrics 23 years after its 1981 disappearance? What movie dialogue is sampled in the middle of "Seconds"? What effect did bull's blood have on Larry's drumming? How did Bono's visit to Central America inform The Joshua Tree? What are the details of Adam's 1989 marijuana bust? How did Mick Jagger wind up on All That You Can't Leave Behind? Award-winning music journalist John D. Luerssen goes beyond the essential facts, delving into the legendary fables and unique anecdotes that make U2 FAQ an indispensable read for all U2 disciples.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780879309978
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/01/2010
Series:	FAQ
Pages:	490
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

John D. Luerssen (Westfield, NJ) is the author of River's Edge: The Weezer Story (ECW Press, 2004'), 'which received prominent coverage in Rolling Stone, Blender, Pitchfork, and Kerrang! among dozens of other outlets, and won ForeWord magazine's 2005 Bronze Award in the Music Book of the Year category. Luerssen is a daily contributor to Spinner. He has also written for Rolling Stone, Billboard, All Music Guide, and American Songwriter.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Introduction xii

1 Into the Heart of a Child: The Members of U2 as Children 1

2 And I Can Grow: The Early Years 20

3 Life on a Distant Planet: U2 Insiders 30

4 New Direction: U2's Early Original Songs 37

5 Play for Real: U2 Gets Serious 40

6 There's a TV Show: U2 on the Idiot Box 48

7 There's a Photograph: U2's Studio Album Sleeves 53

8 Do You Feel in Me Anything Redeeming?: U2 Develops Its Sound 59

9 There's a Radio and I Will Go: U2's First Official CBS Eire Releases 62

10 The Boys and Girls Collide: Essential Gigs and Tours (1979-1989) 68

11 Broken Nose to the Floor: Public Debacles, Dangers, and Embarrassments 88

12 Boy Meets Man: U2 Signs to Island 103

13 I Am Found: Boy 108

14 Can't Find My Way: U2's Growing Pains 116

15 And I Felt Like a Star: U2 Goes International 119

16 Raise Me Up: U2's Mentors, Friends, and Business Partners 122

17 The Trees Are Stripped Bare: October 133

18 I Can Change the World in Me: U2 Nearly Shatters 143

19 Rock as Hard as You Can Tonight: Ten Bands That Opened for U2 147

20 A New Heart Is What I Need: Preparing for War 152

21 Set Your Spirit Free: The Unforgettable Fire 166

22 I Don't Believe in Painted Roses: The Joshua Tree 182

23 But I Won't Wear It on My Sleeve: U2's Influences 198

24 Where the Bright Lights and the Big City Meet: Rattle and Hum 210

25 You're a Precious Stone: Prominent Fans, Friends, and Acquaintances 227

26 Some Strange Music Drage Me In: Beneath the Covers 238

27 Shine Like a Song: The Twenty Best Original U2 B-sides 247

28 I'm Ready for What's Next: Achtung Baby 251

29 Don't Talk Out of Time: True U2 Stories 265

30 Better by Design: Zooropa 272

31 Ain't Love the Sweetest Thing?: U2's Personal Lives 278

32 Space Junk Coming in for the Splash: Ten Totally Random U2 Facts 282

33 Jesus Never Let Me Down: U2 and Religion 284

34 I See an Expression: U2's Essential Music Videos 288

35 I Never Bought a Lotto Ticket: Pop 292

36 Cigars and Big Hair: U2 Enjoys Its Fame and Wealth 303

37 They Said Be Careful Where You Aim: U2's Controversies 312

38 I Got No Home in This World: The Million Dollar Hotel 331

39 See the World in Green and Blue: U2 on Home Video 334

40 The Heart Is Abloom: All That You Can't Leave Behind 337

41 It's You When I Look in the Mirror: Bono on Bob Hewson 343

42 I Won't Heed the Battle Call: Can Bono (and the Rest of U2) Save the World? 345

43 I'm Hanging Out to Dry with My Old Clothes: Side Projects, Collaborations, Compilation Tracks, Soundtracks, Benefits, Books, Movie Roles, and More 361

44 It Could Be Yours Tonight: Gettin' Paid 381

45 I Have No Compass, and I Have No Map: U2's Side Businesses 386

46 The Songs Are in Your Eyes: How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb 389

47 I Believe You Can Dance with Me: Rare, Unreleased, and Collectible Releases 396

48 Papa Sing My Sing My Song: Tunes U2 Has Written for Others 405

49 Joyful Noise: U2's Hits Compilations 407

50 Three Chords and the Truth: U2 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 411

51 Shine Like a Burning Star: ZooTV to 360°: U2's Tours (1992-2010) 415

52 I Know You're Looking Out for Us: Post-Millennium Honors and Awards 426

53 We Needs New Dreams Tonight: U2's Grammy Awards 432

54 The Future Needs a Big Kiss: No Line on the Horizon 434

55 Is That All You Want from Me?: Quotes About U2 444

Selected Bibliography 447

Index 451