Slowly, though not particularly quietly, Ireland’s U2 has evolved into one of the most popular rock bands in the world and, some think, the best. With his charismatic presence, uplifting vocals and socially conscious songs, Bono Hewson is sometimes perceived as a Celtic Bruce Springsteen, an association more convenient than correct. Still, both are adherents […]
Read MoreU2: The Joshua Tree
Who are today’s most respected arena rock acts? The names Bruce Springsteen, Peter Gabriel, Pretenders and Elvis Costello leap to mind, but none–including Springsteen–has earned more respect than the Irish band U2. U2 came out of Dublin in the late ’70s, moving from new wave cult status to arena stardom with no loss of moral […]
Read MoreU2’S ROOTS GO DEEPER
The mantle of leadership can be a destructive force in rock. Remember all the worthy singer-songwriters who crumbled under “new Dylan” proclamations in the ’70s, or how quickly the Clash disintegrated on the 1982 Who tour when observers began describing their appearances together as a passing of the torch from one generation in rock to […]
Read MoreJoshua Tree Blooms
All too often, the anticipation of an event is far greater than it’s arrival, as great expectations are built up beyond the point of reality. Since U2 began work on their fifth studio album over one year ago, public demand placed on the band the Herculean task of producing an album that would satisfy all […]
Read MoreStar Hits reviews The Joshua Tree
It’s been seven years and four albums since U2 came roaring out of Dublin, droning fire and brimstone and breathing new life into new music. With The Joshua Tree it’s obvious the flame is still alive&endash;in fact, six of the eleven songs have images of flames or burning&endash;but the heat it gives off is far from comforting. […]
Read MoreJune 15, 1986 – East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA – Giants Stadium
Setlist: MLK, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Bad, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Maggie’s Farm, Cold Turkey, Help, Sun City, Invisible Sun. Encore(s): I Shall Be Released. Remarks: The Amnesty International’s ‘Conspiracy Of Hope’ Tour makes its final stop in the New York tri-state area. Lou Reed, Nona Hendryx, Little Steven, and Ruben Blades join U2 […]
Read MoreJune 13, 1986 – Rosemont, Illinois, USA – Rosemont Horizon
Setlist: MLK, Pride (In The Name Of Love), New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Maggie’s Farm, Help, Bad, Sun City. Encore(s): I Shall Be Released. Remarks: N/Amnesty International’s ‘Conspiracy Of Hope’ Tour stops into the Chicagoland area. After being played at the end of The Police’s set at the previous show, Sun City (with Lou […]
Read MoreJune 11, 1986 – Atlanta, Georgia, USA – The Omni
Setlist: MLK, Pride (In The Name Of Love), New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Maggie’s Farm, Help, Bad, Sun City. Encore(s): I Shall Be Released. Remarks: The Amnesty International’s ‘Conspiracy Of Hope’ Tour rolls into Atlanta. At this show, Sting reformed The Police, so they headline rather than U2. U2’s set accordingly ends with Bad, […]
Read MoreJune 8, 1986 – Denver, Colorado, USA – McNichols Sports Arena
Setlist: MLK, New Year’s Day, Pride (In The Name Of Love), Sunday Bloody Sunday, Maggie’s Farm, Bad, Sun City. Encore(s): I Shall Be Released. Remarks: The Amnesty International’s ‘Conspiracy Of Hope’ Tour continues in Denver. Sun City is performed with Lou Reed and I Shall Be Released is once again an All-Star Finale. Before I […]
Read MoreJune 6, 1986 – Inglewood, California, USA – The Forum
Setlist: MLK, Pride (In The Name Of Love), New Year’s Day, Sunday Bloody Sunday, Maggie’s Farm, Help, Bad, Sun City. Encore(s): I Shall Be Released. Remarks: The lineup includes: Joan Baez, Neville Brothers, Bob Geldof, Dave Stewart, Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Lou Reed, Peter Gabriel, Bryan Adams, Sting.
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