U2
Irish band U2 may well be regarded as a modern rock legend. Yes, modern, because even now, after 35 years from the moment of its formation, the band is still in demand worldwide. Their songs raised generations of music lovers and rock musicians consider this band a perfect example of success and creative realization.
Long ago, in 1977 four talented young men, ordinary students from Dublin, decided to play good music. They got together and called themselves «Feedback». The band started from covering songs of «Beach Boys» and «Rolling Stones». A year later, after another change of name the boys decided to go with «U2» and signed a contract with CBS Records label. That was the beginning of their road to success. In 1979 song «Out of Control» stormed into the Irish charts steadily going up to #1. After that the band releases debut album «Boy» which wasn’t a music revelation, but still got favourable reviews.
The debut of U2 in Great Britain appeared not so successful but their second single, a song called «Fire» which was the second one presented in this country, entered the British Top 30. In 1981 the musicians consolidated their achievements in Great Britain with their album «October» that didn’t get into the top ten, but confidently took 11th place.
U2 continued touring actively, recorded singles and albums. Early 80-ies showed how confidently and steadily the band members were making their way to success. The album called «Under A Blood Red Sky» took second line in the British chart and even made it into the Top 30 of the best albums in the American chart. U2 members put their efforts in conquering the US market and soon achieved their goal – Rolling Stone Magazine mentioned U2 among the best groups of the time (the 80-ies), music lovers were eagerly buying their albums, many famous singers and musicians were proud to perform with U2.
After a world tour in the second half of the 80-ies the band recorded their next album – «The Fly». Many of its singles are popular to this day, including «I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For» and famous lyrical track «With Or Without You». These and other songs from the album were on top of the charts in many European countries, showed good results in the USA and Canada, and the album itself brought U2 two impressive awards – Grammy for Best Rock Album and Album of the Year.
At the beginning of the 90-ies U2 realized that they already had success and world fame. They kept playing excellent music and selling new singles and albums internationally despite the fact not all of them were praised by critics. Many reliable sources, mass media and other performers called U2 the most popular band of the 90-ies. Their songs were not only played on TV or radio, but also used as soundtracks for movies. Band members showed their interest for social and political sphere, continued receiving awards, experimented with current trends adding new sound to their tracks.
And here comes the 21st century. It would seem that many music leaders from past years were to stay in the past, but that’s not the case of U2. In 2001 they received three Grammy awards for their track «Beautiful Day» and a world tour brought them record one hundred million pounds. Year 2002 – and another Grammy yield: four awards including Record of the Year and The Best Rock Album (for «All That You Can’t Leave Behind»).
Currently U2 are still considered one of the world leaders of music industry. There is hardly a year without awarding of the band members and not only for music achievements. Lead singer Bono, for example, received the Nobel Prize for creating The Fund To Fight AIDS and Malaria, that confirmed the value of contribution of the band members to world processes. And one can definitely assert that legendary band U2 will stay in the memory of many generations of music lovers and everyone who Bono and his bandmates helped in their fight for life.
