U2: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2005 (part 1)

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/u2/bio/

Official Site: http://www.u2.com/

U2 formed in 1976 in Larry Mullen’s kitchen. The group went from “The Larry Mullen Band” to “Feedback” to “The Hype” before settling on U2. They won a talent contest, which allowed them to record a demo. U2 scored a hit in Ireland in 1979 before expanding overseas. Island Records signed them in 1980.

I Will Follow (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jv51LO7NOTo

Fire (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVFak0rJOdA

Gloria (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybYgP48X2DY

A Celebration (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBP64ZssRNY

In 1983, they released War, which made them stars.

New Year’s Day (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0IRY_eWuIw

Two Hearts Beat as One (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIuAFBRyjj4

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM4vblG6BVQ

Unforgettable Fire

Pride (1984): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHcP4MWABGY

The Unforgettable Fire (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_rBqCxj3gU

Live Aid (1985) was U2’s coming out party:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zIW8qDPhos

Then came superstardom: The Joshua Tree

With or Without You (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmSdTa9kaiQ

I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gY75dw64sqI

Where the Streets Have No Name (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qairkoPEUQ

In God’s Country (1987): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkbaRJuZ3A8

U2 filmed their own film, Rattle and Hum, which was panned as an ego-fest.

Rattle and Hum: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLmqjcYtH3c&list=PL2E3B11BE5E3691D0

Desire (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmBij5GkF-s.

Angel of Harlem (1988): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1SfVhQOf-s

When Love Comes to Town w/B.B. King (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3wgoaONzwo

All I Want Is You (1989): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bF-8cCCNoY

The band went on hiatus for a couple years after burning out. Bono felt they had stagnated and announced the band had to reinvent itself.