Adam Clayton

Before he became the bassist for one of the biggest music groups of all time, Adam Clayton was U2’s manager. Now, his unique sound and style provide the background for some of the world’s best-loved songs, so it is surprising he did not receive any formal training until after his music career was well-established. With a failed engagement to a supermodel, as well as a prior arrest, Clayton’s personal life is as colorful as his music.

Adam Clayton was born on March 13, 1960, in Oxfordshire, England. At the young age of five, he and his family relocated to Dublin, Ireland. After attending a private boarding school, he transferred to Mount Temple High School. When Adam saw an advertisement for musicians posted at his school, he decided to check it out. This ad would signal the beginning of a long and successful career. At the audition, he met the other members of a band who were originally known as Feedback and The Hype. Over time, the band became known as U2, one of the most recognizable names in the industry.

Adam was the band’s first manager, a position that would later be filled by Paul McGuinness. Throughout U2’s amazing career, Clayton’s bass playing would serve as a solid foundation for The Edge’s guitar work and Bono’s haunting lyrics in such songs as “With or Without You.”  U2’s career has also seen Adam grow substantially as both a musician and a performer. He started formal bass lessons in 1996, and began to interact more with the audiences during the band’s frequent tours.

As the winner of the Best Bassist Award in 2001 and 2002, there is no denying his natural gift for music. In addition to playing with U2, Clayton also had the occasional speaking and singing parts on several albums. His solo gigs have included work on the Grammy-nominated theme song for the 1996 remake of Mission: Impossible, which stars Tom Cruise and Jon Voight.

Adam’s personal life has had its share of ups and downs. In 1989, he was recognized for something other than his musical talents when he was arrested in Dublin for possession of marijuana. Criminal prosecution was avoided by making a generous donation to charity.  During his time with U2, Clayton has also clashed with the band members over religious views and being the only band member not involved in serious relationship.

When he was asked to be lead singer Bono’s best man, his reputation as the outsider of the group all but disappeared. Today, all of the members are very close friends. Although Clayton is often touted as the bachelor of the group, he was engaged to supermodel Naomi Campbell during the 1990s.  Campbell is known for her striking beauty, as well as her volatile temper which has caused her to be criminally charged several times for assault.

In April of 2006, Adam publicly announced that his bachelor days would soon be over for good. He is currently engaged to Suzanne Smith, the former assistant to band manger Paul McGuinness. The couple plans to wed in 2007.

YUDDY