U2 (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen, Jr.)

U2 formed in Dublin in the late seventies, under the name "Feedback" and their repetoire was primarily covers of great punk bands like The Clash, The Buzzcocks, and The Sex Pistols. After a few name changes and a few years to become more proficient in their craft, they released the album, War in 1983. This was U2's first really political record, containing the stunning singles "Sunday, Bloody, Sunday" and "New Years Day." The band's next album, The Unforgettable Fire, sold well, produced two remarkable singles "Pride (In the Name of Love)" and "The Unforgettable Fire," but received mixed reviews.

Towards the end of 1988, U2 released Rattle And Hum, an excellent live album and documentary/concert film. The record was made up of performances from the Joshua Tree concert tour, but differed from that album because it contained more blues, folk, country tunes, covers from the Beatles and Stones, and even had B.B. King, Benmont Tench and Dylan as guest artists. The film and record was a great way for the band to end the decade because they was beginning to be widespread backlash, due to The Joshua Tree being so enormous and Bono and the Edge becoming so “earnest” and political.  Neither the film nor the album is as self-indulgent as I remember critics claiming them to be back then.

U2 did not release another record in the eighties (thank Heaven), but came back in 1991 with the fantastic Achtung Baby.

For you are the fountain of life, the light by which we see. - Psalm 36:9 

1987, U2 released its fifth album, The Joshua Tree, and ruled the world for a while. The album went platinum, gold, and diamond in several countries, selling upwards of 25 million copies, and garnered Grammy Awards for Album of the Year and Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1988. The album's three big hit singles, "With or Without You", "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For", and "Where the Streets Have No Name," seemed to stay on the charts and on MTV for like, two years.