FAQ's

Who started U2 and when?
How did they get those nicknames?
Where does the name U2 come from?
What are the Marital Status of all band members?
Are U2 Christians?
How can I send email to U2?
Where can I find U2's official web site?

Who started U2 and when?

Larry Mullen, Jr. was born on October 31, 1961 in Dublin. He was two years behind Bono in high school but both noticed each other. It was Larry who posted an ad on a bulletin board at school about starting a band. Paul Hewson (Bono) was a very outgoing person in high school who responded to Larry's note saying that he could play guitar and sing. He really couldn't do either. Although Adam Clayton was not a very good student, he was always very polite to everyone. He was the only bassist to respond to Larry's note. Dave Evans (the Edge) was often known as a loner early in high school. He took piano and guitar lessons and often played with his brother,Dick. Both showed up to "U2's" first little gathering.The first meeting of the group was at Larry's house They set up in Mullen's kitchen, and played the Rolling Stones "Brown Sugar" and "Satisfaction."; At this point, the entire group of hopefuls for the band included Larry, Dave and Dick Evans, Adam Clayton, Paul Hewson, Peter Martin, and Ivan McCormick .

How did they get those nicknames?

Bono, which is a shortening of Bono Vox, got his name through a group of friends of his who were known as the Lypton Village. The name, which means "good voice" in Latin, was the name of a hearing aid shop in Dublin. Edge was named by Bono because Dave was always on the fringe of things. Bono gave this name to Evans because of the sharp lines in his face. This could also apply to his clear, clinging guitar playing. The thing in Lypton Village about naming people was that: 1) they thought it strange that you should go by a name given to you by your parents, when that name might not really suit you. 2) the nicknames were often associated with a facial thing and it would then also apply to the person's character. So The Edge had this prominent jaw line & was always on the edge of things: like an observer. Bono's first Village name was: Steinhegvanhuysenolegbangbangbangbang. (!) Paul McGuinness became known as 'The Goose'.

Where does the name U2 come from?

The reason for the band picking the name U2 is not really known. For one thing, the U2 is a spy plane that was in service during the late '50s and '60s. There was a U2 that was involved in a crash over the old Soviet Union on 6 May 1960 (four days before Bono was born). The name U2 is also a pun, as in "you, too" or "you two." The name seemed to be sufficiently vague to work as the name of the band we now know and love.

What are the Marital Status of all band members?

Bono is married to his high school sweetheart, Alison (Stewart), whom he wed on August 21, 1982. Edge married Aislinn O'Sullivan in July, 1983. They are separated but not divorced. Edge is now spending his personal time with Morleigh Steinberg, the second belly dancer from the Zoo TV tour. Larry is single, but has a longtime girlfriend in Anne Acheson. Their relationship apparently goes back to the late 70s. And Adam is also single, but was briefly engaged to supermodel Naomi Campbell in 1993. He has most recently been spending personal time with longtime Principle Management girl Suzanne Smith.

Are U2 Christians?

In a word: yes. Longer explanation: In the band's early years, it was no secret that Bono, Edge, and Larry were very active in their faith. For a time in the early 80s, the three joined a religious group called Shalom, and struggled for some time to reconcile their beliefs with the rock and roll lifestyle. Songs such as "Gloria", "40", and "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" are very open in their religious and spiritual overtones. In more recent years, Bono has not worn his faith on his sleeve as openly as he did in past years. But to examine things such as Zoo TV, the Mirrorball Man, and MacPhisto, and to take the lyrics of songs such as "Wake Up, Dead Man" and others, and draw the conclusion that Bono (and U2) are no longer believers is to completely miss the point. These things were not U2 embracing the dark side, it was U2 exposing the dark side. As Bono often quoted, "Mock the devil and he will flee from thee." No, the message has not changed over the years ... but sometimes it's been a little harder to find. And if that's not enough, various band members have said in recent interviews (circa '98-'99) that they ARE still believers.

How can I send email to U2?

You probably can't. The band has never made public an email address where fans can contact any one of the band members or anyone in the management circles.

Where can I find U2's official web site?

As of Fall 2000, the band's official web site is up and running at u2.COM but there is complication when you try to open. If you need further information there is an unoficial website, you can click at @U2.com.. Propaganda, the band's official fan club also has its own web site at U2propaganda.com.

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