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The Story of U2 - Part 2

In January 1980 U2 won five categories in the Hot Press readers' poll. But without a record deal they could not afford further overseas tours. So Paul McGuinness arranged an Irish tour that ended in the National Boxing Stadium in Dublin, and a new single, Another Day, was planned for released by CBS Ireland. Meanwhile, Island Records were debating whether or not U2 were worth backing. One of the first to be convinced was Bill Stewart, and he and other Island executives attended gigs in Belfast and Dublin to take a further look at the band. They all came away impressed with what they saw, so Bill Stewart agreed a deal for four albums, with finance up-front to cover recording and touring costs.

U2's first recording for Island was the single 11 O?clock Tick-Tock, produced by Martin Hannett, noted for his work with Joy Division. The single was released in May 1980, and attracted rave reviews but disappointing sales. Neither did the relationship with Hannett take off, partly because the producer was affected by the suicide of Ian Curtis. So Island asked Steve Lillywhite to produce U2's next single, A Day Without Me, intending that he should also produce their debut album if things worked out.

The single made little impact outside Ireland, but U2 and Steve Lillywhite struck up a rapport which was to last through three albums and beyond. A tour of Britain and Europe followed to promote the single and to prime the market for the forthcoming album. Steve Lillywhite came to Dublin to record the album at Windmill Lane Studio, Dublin. The Boy featured on the album cover is Peter Rowen, the younger brother of two of Bono's Lypton Village friends.

Although the UK sales of U2's singles were disappointing, the tour was reasonably successful, and when the album came out the record buying public at last took some notice. The opening track, I Will Follow, would force anyone to sit up and take notice! The critical reaction to Boy was particularly enthusiastic, hailing it as one of the best debut albums of all time.
U2 followed up the album with more concerts in the UK, but Paul McGuinness already had his eyes on the American market. He persuaded promoter Frank Barsalona to arrange a short introductory tour at the end of 1980. The success of this in turn persuaded Warner Brothers to release the album in the US, so a longer tour was arranged for the spring to promote it.

1981 started with another tour of the UK, ending with a sell-out concert at the Lyceum Ballroom in London in February. U2 had acquired a reputation as a stunning live act. This was not just down to their music, but to the way it was presented by sound engineer Joe O'Herlihy and to Bono's dramatic stage presence.

U2 Articles The History of U2 The History of U2 - Part 1 The History of U2 - Part 2 The History of U2 - Part 3 The History of U2 - Part 4 The History of U2 - Part 5 The History of U2 - Part 6 The History of U2 - Part 7 The History of U2 - Part 8 The History of U2 - Part 9 The Story of U2 The Story of U2 - Part 1 The Story of U2 - Part 2 The Story of U2 - Part 3 The Story of U2 - Part 4 The Story of U2 - Part 5 The Story of U2 - Part 6 The Story of U2 - Part 7 The Story of U2 - Part 8 U2 News & More U2 - January 1993 U2 - Worlds Most Popular Rock Act U2 Earnings - 2001 U2 In Africa U2 Performs for iPod Commercial U2 Gets Replacement Recording Studio U2 Article Index