One of the most critically-acclaimed bands of all time, U2, was formed in 1976 in Dublin, Ireland. Drummer, Larry Mullen, Jr. posted a call for musicians on a high-school bulletin board, and it was fatefully answered by lead singer, Bono (born Paul Hewson); guitarist/keyboardist the Edge (born David Evans); bass player, Adam Clayton; and Dick Evans. The group originally played under the name "the Feedback", covering music by The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. One year later they had changed their name to "the Hype", and band member, Dick Evans parted ways to form his own band. After the departure of Evans, the group underwent their third and final name change to "U2."In 1978, U2, who were by this time still just seniors in high school, got their first big break by winning a talent contest sponsored by Ireland’s own Guinness beer.

They had secured a manager by the end of the year, and in 1979, released their debut, U2 Three. Available only in Ireland, the release was a national hit. U2's 1980 album, Boy, earned the group praise for embracing Christianity in its lyrics, as all members but Clayton practiced the Christian faith.By 1983, the launch of MTV in the US helped bring U2 to American audiences on the popularity of their videos for the politically-charged anthems Sunday Bloody Sunday and New Year's Day.

More hit albums followed the band throughout the early-mid 80s, however it was their 1987 juggernaut, The Joshua Tree, that established them as a commercial and critical success, not to mention landing them on the cover of Time magazine.The beginning of the 90s saw more success for the band with the release of Achtung Baby, which debuted at number one across the globe. The tour to promote the album, Zoo TV, exhibited the band’s sillier side, with Bono devising an alter ego for himself dubbed "the Fly." Although the band’s next album, Zooropa received strong reviews upon its release in 1993, it failed to generate the same sales.

In 1996, the band’s techno dance album, Pop was released to lukewarm reviews, however this did not affect their reported 50 million dollar deal with Polygram to release their Best of compilation in 1998.

U2 kicked-off the new millennium with the release of All That You Can't Leave Behind, which reached number three on American charts and received Grammy awards for its singles Beautiful Day and Walk On.

Four years later, the band received even more Grammy recognition with the album How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which went platinum and racked up eight Grammy Awards.