Through a combination of zealous righteousness and post-punk experimentalism, U2 became one of the most popular rock & roll bands of the '80s. Equally known for their sweeping sound as for their grandiose statements about politics...
2006: 18 Singles
Necessary for neophytes. Essential for experts. The band's latest collection features classics from the past 26 years, as well as two new singles, including a cover of "The Saints Are Coming," recorded with Green Day.
2006: November Bono joins Kylie Minogue for a duet of "Kids" on stage in Sydney while bandmates enjoy Kylie's return to the stage.
2005: December, Bono is honored by TIME Magazine for his charity work alongside Bill & Melinda Gates, as "Persons Of The Year."
2005: U2 surprise New Yorkers by a live performance video taping of "All Because of You" starting in Times Square and ending with a concert in Brooklyn.
2005: Wining 5 Grammys, U2 up their grand total to 19 golden statues.
2004: U2 sells out Madison Square Garden for 8 nights.
2004: How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb
Released in 2004, the band's 11th studio effort went on to win the Grammy for Album of the Year on the strength of reflective hits "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own," and the anthemic "City of Blinding Lights."
2004: Music critic Neil McCormick releases his hilarious autobiography chronicaling growing up in Bono's shadow, entitled Killing Bono: I Was Bono's Doppelganger.
2003: U2 The Best of Propaganda essay by Bill Flanagan reveals this 75% strictly Catholic band are actually quite funny, whitty chaps.
2002: U2 celebrates their 25th anniversary as a band participating in World Aids Day, using their celebrity for humanitarian causes.
2001: The Elevation Tour is voted the most popular of the year according to Billboard Magazine.
2000: All That You Can't Leave Behind
Widely considered a return to form, this Eno & Lanois-produced endeavor exudes reverence and confidence thanks to the group's masterpiece, "Beautiful Day."
2000: U2 and manager Paul McGuiness bestoyed The Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin, a rare and extremely prestigious honor.
1999: Bono, Bob Geldof, Quincy Jones and Anne Pettifor of interfaith debt relief organization, Jubilee 2000, meet with Pope John Paul in Rome.
1997: The Popmart Tour costs $100 million to produce a visual masterpiece.
1997: Pop
Glamorous techno beats, bleak lyrics, and dynamic guitar rock battle each other on this hurried amalgamation. Highlights include the glowing "Staring at the Sun," and the brash "Mofo."
1996: Larry Mullins and Adam Clayton work their musical magic on Mission Impossible's theme, which went Top 10 in the US and UK.
1991: Achtung Baby
Bono's fascination with European dance music came to fruition with the release of the band's first record of the ‘90s. The result was innovative, sexual, and ambitious. The departure also resulted in multi-platinum sales and the worldwide smash, "Mysterious Ways."
1988: Rattle & Hum
Rattle And Hum was released as a companion 2-LP set to the Phil Joanou-directed film of the same name featuring live performances from The Joshua Tree Tour. After meeting B.B. King, U2 realized, they no longer had to prove themselves, they were recognized musicians.
1987: The Joshua Tree earns U2 a two Grammy win for album of the year & Best Rock Performance by a group or duo.
1987: First number one hit "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" on Billboard Top 100 Chart.
1987: The Joshua Tree
With The Joshua Tree's deep religious connection, U2 expressed loss and redemption following their loss of close friend, Greg Caroll. The album remains the band's best-selling album.
1985: June U2 participate in Bob Geldof's Live Aid which raised $283.6 million for famine relief in Ethiopia.
1984: The Unforgettable Fire
The Unforgettable Fire's title was inspired by artwork of atomic bomb survivors in Hiroshama. The band was experimental, refining their lyrics while sonically gaining technique.
1983: War
The first single "New Year's Day" broke U2 into the mainstream despite dealing with the religious imagery and the IRA. Though critics tried to mislead listeners, the album's track "Sundy Bloody Sunday" was Pro-IRA, however Bono denounced violence vehemently.
1980: The lads release their first full length album, Boy, teaming up with producer Steve Lillywhite.
1978: U2 win a high school talent contest that lead to signing with punk rock band manager Paul McGuinness.
1977 Fifth member, Dick Evans leaves Feedback, who had been renamed The Hype. After Dick's departure, they officially become U2.
1976: Larry Mullen posts a sign looking for bandmates and Feedback was formed.
