U2

U2 are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1976 by four teenagers at Mount Temple Comprehensive School: Bono on vocals, the Edge on guitar and keyboards, Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums. They began in post-punk and signed to Island Records within four years, releasing Boy in 1980. Their sound has always leaned towards the anthemic, built on Bono's expressive voice and the Edge's chiming, effects-laden guitar.

War (1983) gave them a first UK number one, and The Joshua Tree (1987) made them international stars. Achtung Baby (1991) then took them towards alternative, industrial and dance influences, with the Zoo TV Tour to match. All That You Can't Leave Behind (2000) returned them to a more conventional, mainstream sound. Their live shows remain a major draw, and they have campaigned for human rights causes throughout their career.