Picked up these cards in France when U2 was emerging into what they've long since become. Thought of U2 because of Haitian-born rapper Wyclef Jean saying how much he was inspired and influenced by them when he was growing up. The Unforgettable Fire (1984) is now 25 years old. The caption reads in part: The New Album Available On Record & Chrome Cassette. . .
What I know best about U2 is their War album, and seeing them on the very first stop of their War Tour in the USA -- in Chapel Hill, on April 23, 1983. If memory serves, this was at least partly a benefit for UNICEF. They blew me away. Bono climbed up scaffolding with lightning in the air (literally) and seemed totally crazed in a Jim Morrison kind of way. This act was hard to beat, and I've never been quite as interested in them since the mid-80s. War pretty much did it all for me. How could they ever beat what I'd already seen?
As for Wyclef Jean, he's blogging from Haiti, with appeals for help: http://wyclefjean.wordpress.com/
Today's Rune: Initiation.
5 comments:
One of the first HUGE bands to really go into social activism though. Bono for being a camera whore does use his fame for good.
The WAR album was my introduction and I liked it quite a lot. I've generally not been much of a fan of their later stuff, although some of it. Bullet the blue sky is awesome, though.
That was the album that grabbed me too. I'd heard "Boy" and "October," but "War" really got me. Loved Unforgettable Fire and really liked them through "The Joshua Tree. " It was hit or miss after that. Still love their message and their passion.
Erik, also a fan of Mr. "Good Voice!" Didja know Wyclef was married to another one of my favorites--Lauren Hill? Enjoy this gorgeous (well, relatively speaking) weekend!
I remember many years ago, before anyone had ever heard of them, one of my friends told me that they were going to be really big one day. I laughed & the time & kind of waved him off. Guess he got me. <:\
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