Happy Birthday Bono! The U2 band leader turns 61 today. The band started in Dublin in 1976 and although it is most often recognized as a post punk era band, they started before the punk movement had even arrived in Ireland. Drummer Larry Mullen, Jr posted a notice on his high school bulletin board seeking musicians to form a band. Initially a Beatles and Stones cover band called the Feedback, they changed their name to U2.
The first break came during their last year in high school when they won a talent contest and attracted the attention of the manager of the Stranglers who offered to manage them. They did well in Ireland but had trouble connecting elsewhere. Slowly they expanded their reach and with producer Steve Lillywhite found a sound that could break through elsewhere. 1983’s