Unlike some of my peers, I was not really a fan from the days of “October” or “Boy”. I didn’t accuse them of selling out when “The Joshua Tree” made them a top 40 sensation, a household name, and one of the most popular bands in the world. I didn’t fall in love with Bono or the Edge when they became super popular.
No, they just kind of snuck up on me until “The Joshua Tree”, when their songs topped the charts for the better part of a year and I really listened to them.
After that, I was a fan. Not a super fan, or a disillusioned fan, just someone who liked to pin the volume when “With or Without You” came on the radio and I was driving alone on a country road.
Compilation
Back in the ‘80s you used to be able to buy these compilation records and tapes that were usually advertised on TV. They were, essentially greatest hits collections, filled with one song each from a dozen or more recording artists.
Back in the ‘80s you used to be able to buy these compilation records and tapes that were usually advertised on TV. They were, essentially greatest hits collections, filled with one song each from a dozen or more recording artists.
The most popular, or at least well publicized ones, were from K-tel, but there were others too.
After the advent of music videos, clips of them would be used in TV commercials promoting these greatest hits collections.
That’s where I first encountered U2. Simultaneously, I heard their song “Pride (in the name of love)” and lead singer Bono belting it out on a commercial.
I only knew who Bono was from something else I saw – the video for “Do They Know It’s Christmas” by Band Aid.
Band Aid
Near the end of 1984, Bob Geldof with the assistance of Midge Uhr, put together a group of British recording artists to raise money for famine relief in drought stricken Ethiopia. The result was the aforementioned “Do They Know it’s Christmas”.
Near the end of 1984, Bob Geldof with the assistance of Midge Uhr, put together a group of British recording artists to raise money for famine relief in drought stricken Ethiopia. The result was the aforementioned “Do They Know it’s Christmas”.
I recall the first time I saw the video that focused in on each artist as they sung their lines leading up to the chorus. I was just getting into music, so a lot of them were unknown to me. Obviously, I recognized Boy George, because his band Culture Club, had been big for awhile, and the girls in my Grade 9 class wore his face on white t-shirts. It was hard not to know him. I also recognized George Michael, because his band Wham! had, well, made it big.
The only other one I recognized at that time was the guy belting out “Thank god it’s them, instead of you”.
I’d seen him on a commercial.
I’d seen him on a commercial.
It was Bono.
Before the “Joshua Tree”
I have to admit, after that, I heard nothing of U2. Only later, when I was in university, did I discover how big a following they had. It was largely underground because U2 was not a top 40 band appearing regularly on the radio.
I have to admit, after that, I heard nothing of U2. Only later, when I was in university, did I discover how big a following they had. It was largely underground because U2 was not a top 40 band appearing regularly on the radio.
Coaldale was not a mecca for alternative music at the time. If it was, it certainly wasn’t in the circles I travelled in, or the places I heard about music.
All of that changed in 1987, with a song that would catapult U2 into stardom, and make them a household name.
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U2 on the cover of their 1987 album "The Joshua Tree". Source: https://observer.com/2017/03 (May be subject to copyright) |
U2 released the album “The Joshua Tree” in 1987. The first single was the brooding ballad “With or Without You”, that had seemingly Christian undertones.
It would go all the way to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart for three weeks in March of 1987.
I will always remember driving home one afternoon, down the Picture Butte highway with no one in sight. “With or Without You” came on the radio. I had had a bit of a rough patch. I found myself singing the lyrics louder and louder, then I just pinned the car going as fast as I could. I was just bellowing, “And you give yourself away!”
It was exhilarating. Dangerous, but exhilarating.
Cover story
Shortly after “With or Without You” hit number one, U2 appeared on the cover of “Time” magazine in April of 1987. Our social studies teacher, Mr. Vuch, had a subscription to “Time” magazine, and would sometimes shares bits and pieces from it. In first semester, he had read a story on Tom Scholz of the band Boston. He ended up making me a copy of that story because they were my favourite band.
Shortly after “With or Without You” hit number one, U2 appeared on the cover of “Time” magazine in April of 1987. Our social studies teacher, Mr. Vuch, had a subscription to “Time” magazine, and would sometimes shares bits and pieces from it. In first semester, he had read a story on Tom Scholz of the band Boston. He ended up making me a copy of that story because they were my favourite band.
I did not have him second semester, but I was in his room before class one afternoon, and he was talking about U2, then produced the issue of “Time”. He was the teacher who seemed to know everything about music, and that’s probably why.
Still haven’t found it
The public was clamouring for more U2. They released “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for”, their second single from “The Joshua Tree” in May of 1987. It too went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains their final number one single in America.
The public was clamouring for more U2. They released “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking for”, their second single from “The Joshua Tree” in May of 1987. It too went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It remains their final number one single in America.
The streets
The hits kept on coming, as U2 released “Where the Streets Have No Name” in August of 1987. It was just as we were getting ready to leave home and start at the University of Alberta and live in student residence. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It may be best known for its video, shot of the band performing on a rooftop in Los Angeles. That video won the Grammy for Best Performance Music Video.
The hits kept on coming, as U2 released “Where the Streets Have No Name” in August of 1987. It was just as we were getting ready to leave home and start at the University of Alberta and live in student residence. The song peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It may be best known for its video, shot of the band performing on a rooftop in Los Angeles. That video won the Grammy for Best Performance Music Video.
Later that year, I think it was at Halloween, there was a ruckus outside. Living on Tenth Kelsey, the top of our tower, we had a clear view of what was happening on the roof of the neighbouring Lister Hall. Some guys, from Fifth Mackenzie as I later discovered, recreated the music video for “Where the Streets Have No Name” on the roof of Lister Hall.
In concert
About that time as well, Don Propp and Robbi Layne Robertson, two of my floormates, wanted to go see U2. The band’s “Joshua Tree” tour was going to be in Vancouver so they decided to drive there. In a world before cell phones or social media, we wished them well when they left. We only heard what happened when they returned from Vancouver.
About that time as well, Don Propp and Robbi Layne Robertson, two of my floormates, wanted to go see U2. The band’s “Joshua Tree” tour was going to be in Vancouver so they decided to drive there. In a world before cell phones or social media, we wished them well when they left. We only heard what happened when they returned from Vancouver.
They didn’t get in. Still I applauded them for trying because that was awesome.
Anticipation
By 1988, anticipation was growing about a follow-up album to “The Joshua Tree”. By then, I had befriended Seema Sharma. She was not only a massive U2 fan, but signed everything Seema “Bono/Sting” Sharma. MuchMusic announced when the video of the first song would air, and I recall watching it in our lounge on Fifth Kelsey, with my floormateDave Turnbull and others. The album was called “Rattle and Hum”, the song was “Desire” and it went all the way to number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
By 1988, anticipation was growing about a follow-up album to “The Joshua Tree”. By then, I had befriended Seema Sharma. She was not only a massive U2 fan, but signed everything Seema “Bono/Sting” Sharma. MuchMusic announced when the video of the first song would air, and I recall watching it in our lounge on Fifth Kelsey, with my floormateDave Turnbull and others. The album was called “Rattle and Hum”, the song was “Desire” and it went all the way to number three on the Billboard Hot 100.
I went to visit Seema. She told me had actually gone to Calgary, where she got a copy of “Rattle and Hum” and listened to it in a room by herself so she could take it all in. But she really liked it.
U2 would relese one more single I recall, at the end of 1988, called “Angel of Harlem.” It was good too, topping the charts in Canada and peaking at number 14 on the Billboard Hot 100.
A documentary was also released concurrently, that aired a bunch, but I never saw it.
Dedicated fan
In the fall of 1988, I moved onto Fifth Kelsey where I met Dave Turnbull. We used to stay up late chatting and solving the world’s problems. One winter night, he gave me a primer on early U2 and the albums “Boy” and “October”.
In the fall of 1988, I moved onto Fifth Kelsey where I met Dave Turnbull. We used to stay up late chatting and solving the world’s problems. One winter night, he gave me a primer on early U2 and the albums “Boy” and “October”.
He was the first U2 fan I met. Others would talk about how U2 sold out with “The Joshua Tree”. That’s when I came up with my theory that bands may not sell out. Instead, the audience finds them. That is, they don’t go to the audience, but the audience comes to them
Life story
Eventually, I read the early biography of U2 called “The Unforgettable Fire”, which essentially takes the reader up to the release of “The Joshua Tree”. However, it proves another point I have tried to make for a long time. Biographies are often written before the subject has lived their full life, and they are often rushed into publication to capitalize on the popularity they have at the time.
Eventually, I read the early biography of U2 called “The Unforgettable Fire”, which essentially takes the reader up to the release of “The Joshua Tree”. However, it proves another point I have tried to make for a long time. Biographies are often written before the subject has lived their full life, and they are often rushed into publication to capitalize on the popularity they have at the time.
U2 was just about to explode onto the world stage, and none of that is in the book.
Parting thoughts
U2 continues to perform to this date, including that show at the “Sphere” in Las Vegas. They have remade their sound over time, to answer critics, and still raise awareness of social issues.
U2 continues to perform to this date, including that show at the “Sphere” in Las Vegas. They have remade their sound over time, to answer critics, and still raise awareness of social issues.
Although I came to them later than the diehard fans that surrounded me, they will hold a special place in my heart for the role they played in Band Aid, and all that music they had in 1987 and 1988. Bono was such a powerful singer and the Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullin Junior complemented his vocals perfectly.
For a time in my life, the were an unforgettable band.
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