U2 is an Irish rock band that formed in Dublin in 1976. The band consists of Bono (vocals and guitar), The Edge (guitar, keyboards, and vocals), Adam Clayton (bass guitar), and Larry Mullen Jr. (drums and percussion). The band's early sound was heavily influenced by post-punk and new wave music, but they have since experimented with various musical styles, including alternative rock, electronic, and experimental music.
U2's early career was marked by their political and social activism, particularly their advocacy for human rights and anti-war causes. Their early albums, such as "Boy" (1980), "October" (1981), and "War" (1983) reflected these themes and were well-received by critics and audiences alike.
In the late 1980s, the band experienced a shift in their sound and image, and released the albums "The Joshua Tree" (1987) and "Rattle and Hum" (1988), which were both commercial and critical successes. "The Joshua Tree" in particular was a huge success, selling over 25 million copies worldwide, and earned the band several Grammy Awards.
The band continued to evolve and experiment with their sound throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing albums such as "Achtung Baby" (1991), "Pop" (1997), "All That You Can't Leave Behind" (2000) and "No Line on the Horizon" (2009) and producing hit singles such as "One", "Mysterious Ways", "Vertigo" and "Beautiful Day".
U2 is considered one of the most successful and influential bands in the world. They have sold over 150 million records worldwide and have won 22 Grammy Awards. They are also known for their elaborate stage shows and innovative use of technology in their live performances.
U2 is still active, continuing to tour and release music, and their most recent album, "Songs of Surrender" was released in 2023. They are also known for their philanthropy and humanitarian efforts, particularly their efforts to combat poverty and HIV/AIDS in Africa through the ONE Campaign and (RED) campaign.
