U2: The Definitive Biography
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3.4 • 12 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
John Jobling takes readers beyond the myth in this unauthorized biography of U2 to present the first comprehensive account of the illustrious Irish rockers in 25 years.
Drawing on extensive interviews with insiders including record label scouts, studio presidents, politicians, music critics, and childhood friends, Jobling investigates the U2's most personal relationships and controversial business practices, delivering a vivid portrait that traces the rock phenomenon from its conception to post-punk champions to political crusaders. Filled with captivating revelations, reader will learn:
- How Bono, the Edge, and Larry Mullen, Jr. worshiped with a Charismatic Christian church that practiced speaking in tongues during the band's early days
- Insider stories of the genesis and recording of classic albums such as The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby
- Creative tensions within the band and power struggles among management
- How the disappointments of the Rattle and Hum film and PopMart Tour spurred the band to greater creative heights
- Both the successes and controversies of Bono's wide-sweeping philanthropic and political ventures
- The disconnect between the band's personal lives and public personas
Sure to inspire debate with every music lover, U2: The Definitive Biography humanizes the band and paints an honest picture of a band's rise to the top, plunging into the heart and underlying soul of this iconic rock and roll band.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Lofty moral aspirations aside, the story of the four-decade career of the Irish rock band U2 has been laden with contradiction and internal strife. U2 which claims all its original members, and has yet to announce a single official hiatus since its formation in 1976 is the perfect example of how a long-surviving band can resemble a long-surviving marriage. Jobling, a British music and film journalist, reminds us that even the best marriages are rocky affairs, replete with broken promises, failures of nerve, betrayals, and downright nasty behavior. All that, from a massively popular rock band? While the U2 mystique owes much to the political, social, and spiritual concerns openly espoused by the band (and, in particular, the group's focal point, Bono), it's clear that as in life, so in rock and roll serious compromises have been made by all, little of which has been a secret. Yet it's these missteps, rather than the band's adventurous music and remarkable longevity, that concern Jobling, who charts as much internal dissension, business wheeling and dealing, mishandled political maneuvering, and individual misbehavior as can be substantiated. Why these four wildly wealthy lads stay together to make music remains the big, unanswered question. Jobling presents a researched, knowing and briskly paced saga, to be sure, but this falls short of a definitive biography.
Customer Reviews
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book and felt it gave a good insight into the band that is U2. From its early beginnings, the book traces the rise of and struggles along the way of the 4 lads who would become one of the biggest rock bands in the world. Well written and never boring. Nice job.
Well Conceived and Well Executed
I read this book very quickly because the authors style seemed very smooth and entertaining. Given that U2 have been around for so long there is a great deal of criticism directed toward the band, and specifically Bono.
The book seemed very well researched and highlighted not only musical successes for the band, but also the highs and lows of the personal lives of the band members. The excesses are also here in abundance too... I don't know when enough money is enough money, so I won't judge U2 in that area.
This is a well written biography of U2 up to 2013. I think many readers will appreciate the highs and lows; the embarrassments and the successes; as well as the documentation of songs and tours.