U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono (lead vocals and guitar), the Edge (guitar, keyboards, and backing vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music. Throughout the group's musical pursuits, they have maintained a sound built on melodic instrumentals. Their lyrics, often embellished with spiritual imagery, focus on personal themes and sociopolitical concerns.
Since their inception, U2 have developed and maintained a distinctly recognisable sound, with emphasis on melodic instrumentals and expressive, larger-than-life vocals. This approach is rooted partly in the early influence of record producer Steve Lillywhite at a time when the band was not known for musical proficiency. The Edge has consistently used a rhythmic echo and a signature delay to craft his distinctive guitar work, coupled with an Irish-influenced drone played against his syncopated melodies that ultimately yields a well-defined ambient, chiming sound. Bono has nurtured his falsetto operatic voice and has exhibited a notable lyrical bent towards social, political, and personal subject matter while maintaining a grandiose scale in his songwriting. In addition, the Edge has described U2 as a fundamentally live band.
U2 have released 13 studio albums and are one of the world's best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 170 million records worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards, more than any other band, and, in 2005, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. Rolling Stone ranked U2 at number 22 in its list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".
Limited edition of Morgan Howell's original painting of the cover of U2's 'I Will Follow' vinyl single
Bono and The Edge of U2 performing live in Cork, Ireland in February 1980
U2 perform live at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California in April 2001
Bono from U2 performing live on their Joshua Tree Tour in Rotterdam, Holland in July 1987
Bono & The Edge from U2 live onstage in Boston, Massachusetts in June 2001
U2 (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton & Larry Mullen Jnr) on a beach in Cork, Ireland in February 1980
U2 on top of a hotel roof in Cork, Ireland on a cold February morning in 1980
Early shot of The Fall at Central Station Car Park, Manchester in the summer of 1978
Angus Young, from AC/DC, captured in a small street outside a press meeting in Copenhagen in 1977
This photo session was for No.1 Magazine (long since extinct) on a Eurythmics press day, they’d been doing interviews all day.
Shooting promotional films for the singles Rain & Paperback Writer at Chiswick Park Gardens in May 1966
Lou Reed was one of music's most influential icons. His music defied all definitions of genre & left a legacy that has inspired generations
Critics have called The Smiths the most important alternative rock band to emerge from the British independent music scene of the 1980s.
Madness are an English band from Camden Town, London & one of the most prominent bands of the late 70s & early 80s 2 Tone ska revival.
The Stranglers are one of the most enduring bands to have come out of the punk scene with an uncompromising attitude and idiosyncratic style
Check out our great range of authentic fine art photographic prints available for £250 or less.
We are all still reeling from the tragic loss of David Bowie. Here is a wonderful tribute from one of our photographers, Mark Mawston.
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
The USA has given us many of the world's greatest music artists - we celebrate the best of the best
